Social Dive sites and Training Facilities in Zimbabwe

Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine)

Geological Formation and Overview of Mutorashanga Quarry (Ethel Mine)

Location: Latitude 17°11” S, Longitude 30°11” E
Distance from Harare: Approximately 90 km (~1.5-hour drive) via the Harare–Chirundu Road

Mutorashanga Quarry, also known as Ethel Mine, is a former asbestos mine located about 10 km from Mutorashanga town. The quarry was closed in the early 1960s and has since become a popular training and recreational dive site for divers from Harare and surrounding towns.

Directions to the Quarry

Travel 60 km on the Harare–Chirundu Road, then take the first right after the dyke.
Cross the railway line and pass the shopping centre on the right.
Turn at the first road on the right and drive approximately 50 km to an intersection with a petrol station on the left.
Continue straight for 10 km and turn left at the designated quarry turn-off.
The quarry is approximately 200 metres from the main road.

Tip: It is recommended to travel with someone familiar with the area.

Quarry Overview

The Mutorashanga Quarry is flooded and reaches a maximum depth of 40 metres, offering good visibility and a safe environment for diver training. While aquatic life is limited, the quarry’s clarity and structure make it ideal for skill development.

Features for divers:

Steel platform at 8 metres depth for instructors and students
Assorted “wrecks” including:
- Old car at 8 m
- Motorbike at 12 m
- Cessna 150 plane at 18 m (Registration C152 Z-WCA)
- Donated bus, being prepared for safe penetration dives
Concrete stairs for comfortable water entry
Optional 1-metre drop for practicing giant stride and backward entry techniques

Dive Conditions:

Early mornings provide the best visibility
Visibility may decrease after rainfall due to sediment and thermoclines
No camping or permanent ablution facilities
Air refilling is only available via mobile units from local diving clubs
Visitors are advised to bring drinks and a small picnic

Safety and Access

The quarry platform serves as a base for kit-up and family picnics
Quarry viewpoints offer panoramic views but require caution as rocks may be unstable
Access to the water is via concrete steps, providing safe entry and exit points

Flora of the Quarry

The quarry surrounds are rich in indigenous and some exotic plant species, including:

Mukwa (Pterocarpus angolensis)
Cape Fig (Ficus capensis)
Combretum species
Terminalia species
Msasa (Brachystegia species)
Violet Tree (Securidaca longipediculata)

Fauna of the Quarry

Birdlife is diverse, especially during the dry winter months:

Arnot’s Chat
Angola Rock Thrush
Mocking Chat
Large Striped Pipit
Woodpeckers
Black Tit
Redwing Starling
Batis, Flycatchers, Penduline Tit, Glossy Starling, Bat Hawk
Tree Creeper, Familiar Chat, Paradise Flycatcher, Reed Cormorant, Dabchick

Mammals are limited due to mining activity, but monkeys and baboons are occasionally sighted.

Key Notes for Divers

Mutorashanga Quarry is an ideal training site, particularly for beginner divers, due to:

Good visibility
Varied depth for skill practice
Wrecks for exploration
Close proximity to Harare

Chinhoyi Caves - Chinhoyi Recreational Park

Chinhoyi Caves – Geographic and Diving Overview

Location: Latitude 17°20” S, Longitude 30° E
Distance from Harare: ~115 km (approximately 1.5 hours)

The Chinhoyi Caves, also known traditionally as Chirorodziva (“Pool of the Fallen”), are located just 6 km past Chinhoyi town on the main road. They are a popular site for scuba diving, tourism, and scientific exploration.

Access and Preparation

Kit-Up Area:

Turn into the Chinhoyi Caves Entrance on the main road.
Pass the National Parks Office on the left and park under the large tree near the No. 4 Braai Stone.
The cave entrance is nearby. Walk to the gate, enter, turn left, and descend the stairs carefully.

Diving Tips:

Stairs can be slippery; enter slowly.
The silt is very fine; avoid excessive finning.
The Gents Cave is located at the back area (~12–14 m) and is marked.

Costs and Essentials:

Entry/Dive fees: - $25 for locals - $35 for foreigners
Toll gate: $8
Bring food and drinks; store valuables securely in your car

History

First documented European visit: Selous, 1887
Outlaw Nyamakwere: Used the caves as a stronghold; defeated by Chief Chinhoyi
Traditional name: Chirorodziva, meaning “Pool of the Fallen,” named after the Angoni Tribe attack in the 1830s
National Park designation: Initially declared a park; redesignated as a Recreational Park in 1975

Archaeological excavations revealed human occupation dating back to A.D. 650 ± 95, including pottery classified as the Chinhoyi Tradition of the early Iron Age.