Osborne Dam – a nugget in the wilds of Manicaland

10 Feb, 2017 - 00:02 0 Views
Osborne Dam – a nugget in the wilds of Manicaland Osborne Dam is at 75 percent full

The ManicaPost

Obert Chifamba Post Correspondent
OSBORNE Dam goes down as one of Manicaland’s most beautiful spots with boundless aesthetic splendour!
With plenty to do around the lake; hill walking, biking, water sports, safari driving and kayaking, visiting its shores is always a congenial thing to do. There is always plenty of glee with every stopover at the dam.

Wedged in a unique landscape of rolling moorlands, high altitude heath, fish- filled sparkling river waters and lush green undulating slopes in Manicaland, the dam provides the perfect environment for watersports such as swimming and yachting, plus the best natural outdoor terrain for adventure activities.

Whatever kind of holiday adventure or outdoor activity interests you, this dam is the best destination in Manicaland for an action packed adventure holiday. From sailing to angling, walking to sun bathing, there is always something for everyone.

Arguably the biggest in Manicaland on the western foot of Mount Jenya, in Mutasa communal lands, Osborne Dam is a scenic gem and a tourist attraction that can hold its own.

The Osborne Dam site on Odzi River was identified in the 1950s by the planning engineers of the Ministry of Water.

Cored drilling investigations on the two possible alignments were completed in the 1960s.Construction of the dam started in 1991 and was completed in 1995. It is possible to access the lake from the Harare-Mutare Highway.

Visitors will turn 36 kilometres from Mutare onto 20 kilometres of gravel road through Odzi farmlands, or by using the Koodoosberg Road off the Nyanga – Mutare Road. With a surface area reaching about 2 600 hectares, the reservoir has a total water storage capacity of 400 million cubic metres.
The lake stretches for 16 kilometres up to the Odzi River and 15 kilometres along its Nyatande tributary. It is over 6km wide and 66 metres deep.
The area has a moderate climate with an average temperature of 24 degrees Celsius.
Many people come to Osborne Dam to experience the beauty of this massive expanse of water, which affords spectacular sunsets, watersports and good fishing. Osborne Dam makes a great getaway from Mutare as it is roughly an hour’s drive.

There is always a bagful of activities to do at the dam. Fishing forms one of the most popular activities. Essentially, Bass Masters Societies view this dam as potential record catch territory. Anglers will most certainly enjoy this experience in the generally cool environs.

If fishing turns tedious, the vast water body has always given boating enthusiasts an expansive area to race or just cruise around while away from the marine activities, birding has increasingly become popular and the park is home to a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial birds.

There are also walking safaris. Tourists can follow paths along the dam wall and around the shores, down the Odzi River while nearby hills (Mt Jenya) provide a wide range of scenery for trail enthusiasts. The lazy traveller can always complete his outing with a game drive.

There is a 102km drive around the lake, which includes access to several of the nearby communal areas. The long list of activities also include pony rides around the lake shore, windsurfing, canoeing (there are beautiful inlets and waterways for canoe enthusiasts).

After a hectic day, it is befitting to sleep over in the facilities available at the dam that include a rest camp and a camping site.

There is also a rest camp with self-catering lodges situated at a vantage point overlooking the lake, while the available camping sites can accommodate up to 300 campers with access to braai facilities and electric points placed at every other site making the dam an ideal location for fishing and boating tournaments.

Those travellers that do not want to sleep in the environs of the dam can always travel to Troutbeck Resort, Rhodes Nyanga, Montclair, Wise Owl, Musangano Lodge and Amber Hotel for equally good accommodation.

Other nearby attractions include Vumba Botanical Gardens and Reserve, Mutare City, Rusape, Bvumba Mountains and Nyanga National Park.

At sunset the mountainous topography in the precincts of the dam creates breathtaking scenery. What Osborne Dam lacks in anything, wildlife included, it certainly makes up for its scenic beauty, birdlife, lake activities, and affordable accommodation.

It has become a very popular overnight conference destination due to its proximity to Mutare.

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