Activities at White Horse Inn

ACTIVITIES IN AND AROUND THE WHITE HORSE INN

Internet Wireless connection available for hotel residents

The White Horse Inn is 17 kilometres (20 minutes' drive) from the city of Mutare, the Eastern Highlands capital.
Zimbabwe's Bvumba mountains, lying to the southeast of Mutare overlooking the plains of Mozambique to the East, are among Southern Africa's most spectacular natural attractions, offering visitors a range of sights, sounds and experiences quite unlike anywhere else.
There are breath-taking views back to Mutare, far into Mozambique, and over coffee plantations and the Burma Valley to the Himalaya and Chimanimani Mountains.
Emphasis is placed on obtaining full enjoyment of this environment.
The name Bvumba is a derivation of a local word, meaning "Mountains of the Mist".

Silvery cheeked Hornbill, Livingstone's Loerie, Twinspots (both green and red-throated) and many other interesting species can be found here. Swynnerton's Robin is found higher up in the Bvumba.

We have several acres of garden with a swimming pool and a rough croquet lawn.
The trees attract a huge variety of bird life, as well as monkeys, particularly the Bvumba's well-known Samangos.
Walks in the garden are rewarding for guests interested in the wonders of nature; a stream passes through the grounds, providing the surrounds with a fresh, country feel.

The Bvumba Botanic Gardens which is well worth a visit. The altitude of the 30 hectares of botanical gardens allows a wide variety of indigenous and exotic plants to be grown. Azaleas, fuchsias and hydrangeas are particularly abundant.

From the hotel there is easy access to the attractions of Nyanga to the north and the Chirinda Forest in the south.
Riding, squash, tennis and bowls are all available within about 25 kilometres.
Castle Beacon and Chinyankwaremba are both 15-minute climbs from the main road and both give even more spectacular views. Castle Beacon is approached from the Vumba Heights gateway and, from the rocky summit, Birchenough Bridge can be seen clearly. It is said that the Indian Ocean can be seen at dawn on a particularly clear day.

We are midway between Hillside Club in Mutare and Leopard Rock Hotel - both good 18 hole courses.

Beautiful drives in the area, particularly the circular drive around the Essex and Burma Valleys - where coffee and banana plantations provide contrasts to the natural vegetation.

Trips into Mutare, where museums, gardens, shops and the Cecil Kop Game Reserve are popular.
Mutare Museum has an interesting collection of cars going back to the beginning of the Century, as well as an aviary and other exhibits.
They often have art exhibitions as well.
Cecil Kop Game Park which was set up for educational and ecological reasons and is run by the Wild Life Society.
There is a small aerodrome in Mutare - small planes only and subject to weather conditions. Customs and Immigration clearance available by arrangement.