Social Dive sites and Training Facilities in Zimbabwe
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Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine)
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Geological Formation of the Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine)
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Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine) geographically lies at Latitude 17°11” South and Longitude 30°11” East. This Quarry (Ethel Mine) is situated approximately 10 km of the Mutorashanga Urban. Approximately one and a half hour drive from Harare. You travel on the main Harare/Chirundu Road. Approximately 60 km then turn first road right after the dyke, cross the railway line, pass the shopping centre on the right then turn the first road on the right, travel aprox 50 km drive from turn off. You should come to an intersection with a petrol station on the left carry on going straight for about 10 km you then should come to the turn off which is on the left. From the main road it is about 200 metres to the quarry. It is always wise to either travel with someone whom knows the area,
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Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine) is flooded Asbestos mine in Mutorashanga which was closed in the early 60s, is where many Harare and surrounding cities and town divers first lean to Dive. With little in the way of plants or animal life to attract divers, it is never the less a popular dive location because of its good visibility.
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With this the divers take advantage, as it is a great training facility. It has a steel platform, which lies at 8 meters, which is wide enough to accommodate 4 students plus Instructor and Divemaster. The bottom of the quarry is littered with an assortment of “wrecks” that add interest to any first time divers as well as any active divers. But like any other Quarry it has its downfalls i.e.: After Rainfalls the visibility can get poor as well as the thermoclines, which exist, in most quarries. An old car lies at 8 meters, Motorbike at 12 meters and a Cessna 150 at 18 meters Registration C152 Registration Z - WCA . A bus has been donated to SCUBA WORLD & UNIVERSAL ADVENTURES diving club whom are in the process of making the wreck safe for penetration and will be sinking it in the near future.
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The maximum depth is 40 metres. Access to the Quarry is via a short staircase from the car park, which leads to a wide platform where everyone sets up base and kit up to prepare for they dive (not to mention having they family Picnic). Access to the water is via two concrete stairs which penetrate the water which gives comfortable entry but for the more daring there is a drop off of 1 metre which they can practice their giant strides and any other barrelling backwards boat entry. Early morning Dives is the best if you are looking for good Visibility before other divers arrive. Unfortunately there are no Camping Facilities nor there are any ablution facilities nor is their any air refilling stations based there besides the mobile one, which belong to some of the diving club. And who are at times very accommodating. Referencing refreshment it would be wise to either pack a small picnic or bring drinks.
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There are number of view points which have a great view of the quarry. Access to these spot must be approached with great care, as the rocks can be very unsteady.
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The Flora and Fauna of the Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine)
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The Mutorashanga Quarry flora is made up largely of indigenous species and a few exotics. In the indigenous group there is: Mukwa (Pterocarpus Angolencis), Cape Fig (Ficus Capensis), Combretum Species, Terminalia Species, Msasa (Brachystegia Species), Violet Tree (Securidaca Longipediculata).
Although birds are not numerous, there is a wide variety of species, especially during the dry months of winter. The Quarry bird diversity includes the Arnot’s Chat, Angola Rock Thrush, mocking Chat Large Striped Pipit, Woodpecker Species, Black Tit, Redwing Starling, Batis, Flycatcher, Penduline Tit, Glossy Starling, and Bat Hawk. Tree Creeper, Familiar Chat, Paradise Flycatcher, Reed Cormorant, Dabchick, etc... There are virtually no large animals at the Quarry besides Monkeys and Baboons can be sighted occasionally. This is all due to the increase on the mining industries as the area which runs parallel to the Great Dyke is very rich in minerals i.e. Gold, Platinum, etc...
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Chinhoyi Caves - Chinhoyi Recreational Park
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Chinhoyi Caves geographically lies at Latitude 17°20” S and Longitude 30° East. These famous Caves are situated approximately 115 km from Harare to Chinhoyi then go past the town for a further 6km to the Chinhoyi Caves which is on the right. Approximately one and a half hour drive from Harare.
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Area to kit up: Turn right into the Chinhoyi Caves Entrance on Main Road then immediately turn right again go past the National Parks Office which is on the left as you enter, drive past about 100 meter and then park under the Big tree .near No. 4 Braai Stone set up which will be on the left. The entrance gate to the caves will be near the No.4 Braai area. You will kit up by the car area and then walk down to caves. Once you are kitted up enter the small gate and then turn Left and keep going left until you start walking down the stair, Jut be aware the stairs can be slippery and when entering go slowly. Once enter try not to fin too much as the silt is very fine.
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Once you enter the water try not to fin too much as the silt is very fine. Gents Cave is at the back area at about 12 to 14 meter and has a sign.
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Cost of Dive should be around $20 to $100 Take food out . Just watch you kit and lock what you don’t need. Hide all valuables in car not under seat as they know everyone does it. You will also need $4 for toll gates.
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History
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Historically, the first white man believed to have discovered the Caves was Selous, the famous European Hunter, during his wondering in 1887.It was believed that the Caves were being used as a strong hold by an outlaw called Nyamakwere who murdered many victims by throwing them into the “Silent Pool”, now referred to as the “Sleeping Pool”. The notorious Nyamakwere was eventually defeated and killed by a herdsman called Chinhoyi who became a Mashona Chief, hence the name Chinhoyi Town. Chinhoyi and his followers used the Caves as a refuge from Raiding tribes such as the Matebele. Until a few years ago the remains of the chief Chinhoyi’s grain bins could be seen in some of the underground passages.
The Traditional name for the Cave is “Chirorodziva” which means “Pool of the Fallen”. The name was derived from an incident, which took place in the 1830’s when the Angoni Tribe, who were moving northwards, surprised people living near the Caves, and flung them down into the pool. Of recent years, all dangerous places have been fenced to safeguard visitors.
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The area close to he Caves was first declared a National Park with its existing boundaries. It was a redesignated as a Recreational Park in 1975.
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The Caves consists of a system of tunnels and caverns. This System is a dying one, in that they are slowly collapsing. These collapses can be noticed by the sinking holes and depressions with the surrounding area. The Wonder Hole, which is the main feature of the Caves, is in fact a “Swallow Hole” or a large cavern with a collapsed roof.
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The walls or sides of the Wonder Hole” drop vertically down for 50 metres ± to the Sleeping Pool. This all depends on the actual Annual Rain Fall. The Sleeping Pool will indicate the water level in the Region.
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The Sleeping Pool, which has known depth of 191 metres recorder by Internations Chinhoyi Cave Expedition. The Pool is unbelievably blue and crystal clear which reflects great depth and the non-flowing water
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Exploration by the Zimbabwe Sub-Aqua Spelaeological research Group has revealed that the depth of the water in the Sleeping Pool reaches to 191 metres recorded by Internations Chinhoyi Cave Expedition. Once again the annual rainfall mainly causes this fluctuation in depth. Several underwater passages have been found leading from the Sleeping Pool, but all those that have been explored lead back to the main Pool again. Near the end of the Dark Cave is a small annex to the sleeping pool known as the cave of the bats. This Cave has three outlets – one leads to a small cavern accessible only to a SCUBA DIVER known as the Blind Cave, a second one connects with the Sleeping Pool 58 metres below the surface and the third has not yet been explored.
The Caves are composed mainly of the sunlit “Sleeping Pool” and the artificial lit Dark Cave. The Sleeping Pool is accessible in two ways:
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Through the main entrance with an inclined passage, where the view of the water has been compared to the Famous Blue Grotto or Capri.
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Through the Dark Cave which leads down 200 ± steps and along a narrow passage to a point just above the water at the far side of the Sleeping Pool. The exit from the Dark Cave is demanding, as the step are very steep therefore less agile visitors would be well advised to leave this latter bit of exploration to the younger members of the part. Both way lead to 50± metres below the ground level.
It seems probable that the further caves remain to be discovered. In fact the research group suspects that the water in the cave is connected with an even bigger body of water. The temperature in the Sleeping Pool varies around 22° C ± all year round.
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Excavations in and near the Caves have revealed that people have stayed in and near the Caves from earlier times. Pottery and Human remains were unearthed from the area which were Radiocarbon dated as far back as A.D 650 ± 95. The pottery from the area excavation is called the Chinhoyi Tradition of the early Iron Age and is found from Chinhoyi to Kariba
Geological Formation of the Caves
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The dominant rock in which the Caves are formed is Limestone, Millions of years ago the action of underground water weakened the cohesive forces that held the rock particles together forming underground caverns and tunnels. Some of these caverns eventually collapsed to form sink holes, the largest and most spectacular of which forms what is known today as the “ Wonder Hole” and “ Sleeping Pool “, rated as the Country’s most dramatic natural tourist attraction. The Clarity of the water in the “Sleeping Pool” is such that the fish and rock formations many metres beneath the surface can be seen from the shoreline.
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” The Caves” Don’t have much in the sense of Fish life but the it’s the visual of the underwater rock formations, Stalactites and Stalagmites, caves and crannies that bring divers back each time and having a breath taking experience. On a technical point, the conditions in “the Caves” offer the most ideal deep dives and offer exciting opportunities.
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Viewpoint of the Wonder Hole
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This is a protected and secure point, which offers an upper view of the “Sleeping Pool”, for the less agile visitors who are unable to make it down the steps to the proximity of the pool. It offers an opportunity for taking photographs of the serial overview of the Pool.
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Description of the Area and Feature
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Although Chinhoyi Recreational Park covers a large area only about the Public uses 20 acres of it in the vicinity of the actual caves. The remainder of the park is largely taken up with dolomite mining claims and wooded scrubland.
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In the area, which is available for the public use there, are tourist facilities in the form of campsites, picnic sites and three ablution blocks with hot and cold water, baths, toilets and showers are available. Firewood may be purchased. Fees for entry, camping, Scuba diving and picnicking are displayed at the Parks Office. Please be advised that the fee for Zimbabwean residents and Non-residents differ in the terms of the Parks and Wildlife (General) Regulations, I 1 of 2002.
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A registered Zimbabwean Dive Operation must accompany divers. Any Technical diving a Full Dive Plan must be submitted along with the necessary qualified Divers not to mention the proper Diving and Safety equipment.
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You will find the Chinhoyi Hotel, which is situated on the Chinhoyi Recreational Park as you enter the entrance on the left side. The Hotel is a short walk from the dive site. The Hotel offers accommodation, great lunches and good hospitality, not to mention that there is a well stocked bar which offers a wide variety of Zimbabwe’s finest Lagers.
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NOTE: NO CAMPING EQUIPMENT IS PROVIDED
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The Flora and Fauna of the Park
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The Parks flora is made up largely of indigenous species and a few exotics. In the indigenous group there is: Mukwa (Pterocarpus Angolencis), Cape Fig (Ficus Capensis), Combretum Species, Terminalia Species, Msasa (Brachystegia Species), Violet Tree (Securidaca Longipediculata). Yellow Wood (Monotas Glaber) and Pink Jacaranda (Stereospermum).
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Although birds are not numerous, there is a wide variety of species, especially during the dry months of winter. The Park’s bird diversity includes the Arnot’s Chat, Angola Rock Thrush, mocking Chat Large Striped Pipit, Woodpecker Species, Black Tit, Redwing Starling, Batis, Flycatcher, Penduline Tit, Glossy Starling, and Bat Hawk. Tree Creeper, Familiar Chat, Paradise Flycatcher, Darter etc... There are virtually no large animals in the Park. Monkeys, Baboons, Bush Pigs Rock Hares can be sighted occasionally.
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Live The Outdoors Like No Other....
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