About Chirinda Forest

Chirinda Forest budget travel is ideal for nature lovers and bird watchers who want to explore one of Zimbabwe’s important Birding Areas.

Chirinda Forest Budget Travel

Chirinda Forest budget travel is very easy with great value for money backpacking tours and fantastic highlights. Below is useful information on Chirinda Forest to help you plan your budget holiday in Chirinda Forest. We offer a variety of budget tours and backpacking advice in Chirinda Forest.

Airports

Chirinda Forest airports include:
• Harare International Airport
• Bulawayo International Airport

Birdlife

Chirinda Forest is an Important Birding Area of Zimbabwe, and is home to a wide range of endemic and migratory species. Bee eaters, in particular the carmine bee eater, as well as lilac breasted rollers and other rollers are common in this area, alongside many birds of prey.

Conservation

As an Important Biding Area and a protected area, Chirinda Forest conservation is vital to ensure that the area retains its natural habitats and ecosystems. Hunting and habitat loss present the biggest risk to the forest’s precious ecosystems.

Culture

Chirinda Forest cultures include the following:
• Food and drink plays a key role in social gatherings
• Crafts are an important cultural heritage and income provider
• Museums record history of the town and its people and cultures
• Music and dance is an important social heritage
• Traditional healing is very prevalent in villages

Health

Chirinda Forest health facilities and Zimbabwe healthcare facilities are in dire straits, and with almost no supplies and very poor hospital supplies, healthcare may not be available. It is best to take out comprehensive travel insurance and to pack a basic first aid box containing essentials such as malaria medication, vitamins, headache pills, nausea pills, diarrhea pills, bandages and anti-septic creams.

AIDS

Chirinda Forest HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
• Do not ever share needles or syringes
• Practice safe sex at all times
• Equipment should be sterilized
• If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
• Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or unsterile operators

Languages

Chirinda Forest languages include:
• Shona
• Ndebele
• English
• Silozi

Money

Chirinda Forest money and banking info includes the following:
• There are not many banks in the town itself, however banking can be done in the larger towns
• It has become almost impossible to exchange money at reasonable prices
• US Dollars are widely accepted across larger towns
• Prices of food and basic items are extremely high
• Many items are not available in the country

People

Chirinda Forest people include the following groups:
• Shona
• Ndebele
• Lemba
• Hungwe
• Shangane

Phrase

Chirinda Forest local phrases in Silozi include:
• Welcome - Mulumeni
• Thank you - Ni itumezi
• Please - Nangu
• How are you - Muzuhile cwani?
• Fine - Lu zuhile hande

Plants

Chirinda Forest plants are lush and varied. Primary trees are Chrysophyllum, Craibia and Trichilia, plus Khaya, Lovoa and Ficus. The shrub layer is dominated by Dracaena, while the woody species represent largely a mixture of elements from Afromontane and East African coastal forests, with some West African and Congo forest species.

Religion

Chirinda Forest religion includes the following:
• Christianity
• Traditional beliefs
• Christian Zionists

Safety Tips

Chirinda Forest safety tips include the following:
• Zimbabwe crime in general is on the increase, however it is safe to visit despite a failed economy
• Keep valuables safe and out of sight, and keep car windows closed when driving
• Avoid large crowds and street demonstrations which may turn violent
• Be cautious at game reserves and do not attempt to touch or feed wildlife

Transport

Chirinda Forest local transport options include:
• Taxi
• Car
• Plane

Travel Books

Chirinda Forest recommended travel books include the following:
• Zimbabwe In Pictures by Francesca Di Piazza
• Lonely Planet Zimbabwe by Tione Chinula and Vincent Talbot
• The Rough Guide to Zimbabwe by Barbara McCrea and Tony Pinchuck

Visa Requirements

Get more information on visas in Zimbabwe

What To Buy

What to buy for Chirinda Forest safaris:
• Travel book plus bird and wildlife guide
• Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
• Sleeping bag plus camping mattress if you are on an overlanding tour
• Basic first aid box with supplies and vitamins, plus malaria medication
• Mosquito repellent spray and lotion

What To Pack

What to pack for Chirinda Forest safaris:
• Lightweight clothing in neutral colours and long sleeves for mosquito protection
• Warm jacket for cooler months and evenings
• Comfortable walking or hiking shoes, sandals and appropriate shoes for activities such as rafting
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and sunhat
• Camera with spare batteries plus film or memory card, and binoculars

When To Go

When to go to Chirinda Forest:
• April through to August is generally cooler
• September through to November is hot and dry
• December until early April is hot, rainy and humid

Wildlife

Chirinda Forest wildlife mostly consists of smaller animals such as baboon, leopard, and occasional antelope and other forest dwelling species, with no large predators or large game species to be found.