Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park

Chinhoyi caves main view

Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park

  • Country: 
    Zimbabwe
  • Site number: 
    2103
  • Area: 
    33.4 ha
  • Designation date: 
    03-05-2013
  • Coordinates: 
    17°21'S 30°07'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

The Chinhoyi Caves make up the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe. The Site is a rare near-natural Karst system composed of limestone, dolomite, and a pool of cobalt blue water which is so clear that silver-hued fish and underwater rock formations are seen many metres below the surface. It receives at least between 750mm and 1000mm of rainfall a year, and supports a unique flora including the bleedwood tree Pterocarpus angolensis, Cape fig Ficus sur and violet tree Securidaca longipedunculata. Bird species include the bat hawk Macheiramphus alcinus and the grey crowned crane Balearica regulorum, while the fish found include largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides and gilt-head seabream Sparus aurata. The area serves as a camping and recreation site for the thousands of visitors to the Caves.

Administrative region: 
Mashonaland West administrative province

  • Global international designation: 
    • World Heritage site
  • National legal designation: 
    • Recreational Park - Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park
  • Last publication date: 
    01-02-2016

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents