Mukuvisi Woodlands

Mukuvisi Woodlands
Interactive map of Mukuvisi Woodlands
Location	Harare, Zimbabwe
Coordinates	17°50′07″S31°05′19″E / 17.8353°S 31.0885°E / -17.8353; 31.0885 [1]
Area	263 ha (650 acres)
Created	1980 (1980)
Administrator	Mukuvisi Woodlands Association
www.mukuvisiwoodland.co.zw

Mukuvisi Woodlands is a wildlife reserve in Harare, Zimbabwe. Founded in 1980, ^[2] the reserve spans 263 hectares and includes trails and game-viewing platforms. ^[3] Species found in the reserve include zebras, giraffes, elands, wildebeests, and impalas, as well as over 300 species of birds and over 140 species of trees. ^[4] The reserve has also hosted events such as music festivals ^[5] and school trips. ^[6]

Management

Mukuvisi Woodlands has been a target of poachers. Species taken illegally include tortoises ^[7] as well as trees, which are illicitly logged for firewood. ^[8]

Wetland areas of the preserve have been shrinking and are at risk due to urban development in Harare. ^[9]

A community of squatters, many of whom had been displaced by Operation Murambatsvina, developed in the preserve by 2018. ^[10]

On 8 January 2022, armed robbers attacked Mukuvisi Woodlands, stealing US$19,040 worth of cash and electronics. ^{[11] [12]}

References

1. "Mukuvisi Woodlands". Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. Archived from the original on 7 November 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
2. "About Mukuvisi Woodlands". Mukuvisi Woodlands. Archived from the original on 18 June 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
3. "Mukuvisi Woodlands Wildlife and Environment Centre". ZimFieldGuide.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
4. "Mukuvisi Woodlands". City of Harare. Archived from the original on 13 October 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
5. "Food, Crafts Fair at Mukuvisi Woodlands… as Zimbabwe Mbira Festival kicks off". Daily News . 13 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
6. Mitchell, Rosie (25 September 2011). "Schools' event at Mukuvisi woodlands". The Standard . Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
7. "Chinese looting baby tortoises at Mukuvisi Woodlands". NewsDay . 26 March 2012. Archived from the original on 3 January 2026. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
8. Jongwe, Fanuel (6 June 2007). "Zimbabwe Forests Under Threat While Cambodia Censors Logging Report". TerraDaily. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
9. Mhlanga, B.; Maruziva, R.; Buka, L. (14 August 2014). "Mapping wetland characteristics for sustainable development in Harare: The case of Borrowdale West, Highlands, National Sport stadium and Mukuvisi Woodlands wetlands". Ethiopian Journal of Environmental Studies & Management. 7 (5). African Journals OnLine: 488–498. doi:10.4314/ejesm.v7i5.3. Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
10. Chirisa, Sharon (20 August 2018). "Mukuvusi Squatter camps: The untold story". iHarare.com. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
11. "Mukuvisi Woodlands robbed US$17k". The Herald . 10 January 2022. Archived from the original on 11 August 2024. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
12. Machaya, Prince (9 January 2022). "Armed robbers net US$17,000 during raid at Mukuvisi Woodlands". ZimLive. Archived from the original on 27 December 2022. Retrieved 20 February 2025.