Bryony Scrooby

Aberfoyle Lodge

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For those of you who have never been to the Honde Valley, and Aberfoyle Lodge in particular, you have no idea what you are missing!

Honde Valley is known for its rolling hills, avocado and banana plantations, and the beautiful green Eastern Highlands Tea Plantation. Aberfoyle was initially built in 1960 as a Club for the Tea Estate staff and later converted to a Lodge. Although recently refurbished, it oozes old world charm from the minute you step through the front doors and still has the original wooden floors and large verandahs.

The lodge is at an altitude of 800 metres and is 350kms from Harare, but due to the gradients and sharp turns towards the end of the trip, the journey usually takes about 4hr30m-5hrs. The drive itself is lovely as you travel through the plantations, going over the mountain, through the valley, past friendly villages, and crossing several rivers, including the Pungwe River. If you would rather fly in, there is an airstrip nearby, and the lodge organises transfers.

The main entertainment and reception area is comfortably furnished, and as mentioned above, has recently undergone a refurbishment, ensuring the lodge keeps up with the times. The view of the golf course from the bar verandah is gorgeous, with the added bonus that you might very well see the endangered Palm Nut Vulture flying in to roost! There are 9 rooms, cleverly named and decorated to match the colours of the special bird that the room is named after. They are as below:

Fish Eagle – (executive suite) 1 King
Seedcracker – (honeymoon suite) 1 King
Variable Sunbird – (family room) 2 Singles
Olive Bushshrike – (family room) 1 King
Livingstone’s Turaco – 1 Double
Rock Kestrel – 2 Singles
Narina Trogon – 1 King
Buff-spotted Flufftail – 2 Doubles
Red-faced Crimsonwing – 2 Singles
African Pitta – 1 King
Kingfisher – 1 King
Marsh Tchagra – 2 Singles
Green-backed Woopdpecker – 2 Doubles
Red-throated Twinspot – 1 King
Blue Swallow – 2 Singles

Each room has its own en-suite bathroom, hair-dryer, coffee and tea station, desk, ceiling fans and verandahs overlooking either the golf course (executive suites) or the forest (all standard suites). As well as the rooms, Aberfoyle also offers a self-catering house about 5 minutes drive from the lodge. This is called Hornbill House and consists of four bedrooms:

1 x twin/double bedroom with bathroom en suite – bath only
1 x twin/double bedroom
1 x triple single bedroom

* The rooms are large and can easily accommodate mattresses, if more beds are needed. With panoramic views of the whole estate, you will certainly fall in love with this quaint little house, which has an open plan lounge and dining area. Double doors lead out onto a large verandah. The kitchen is fully equipped and there is a big braai outside the front of the house, which can be lit upon request (guests to bring their own wood or charcoal). There is also a lovely swimming pool on the property and the house is serviced, with a person coming in daily to clean. Eastern Highlands Tea Plantation have their own hydro power, so power is usually very good and there is no generator as Aberfoyle aims to be as environmentally friendly as possible. The property is secure with a fence surrounding the whole area. (Please ensure that you go to check in at the main lodge before going to Hornbill. Check in times are between 2-6pm, strictly not before or after.)

What stands out most about Aberfoyle is the very wide variety of activities on offer thanks to Far and Wide Zimbabwe who has managed Aberfoyle since 2011, and all in such a stunning setting: picturesque 9 hole golf course, Nyawamba Dam, birding, nature walks & mountain hikes, tree canopy tour, Mermaids Pool & bum slide, tea factory tour, mountain biking, white-water rafting, Mutarazi Falls SkyWalk and SkyLine, kayaking, trail biking, fishing (yellow, tiger, bass, bream), pepper gardens and 18 hole putt putt course.

There is also an all-weather tennis court, table tennis, darts, a large 13m x 7m swimming pool with a children’s slide and children’s paddling pool, a squash court and one of the best snooker tables in the country.

The Honde Valley is renowned for its diverse and stunning beauty and its rare butterfly and birdlife. With the area receiving some of the highest rainfalls in Zimbabwe, it ensures the forests stay beautifully green with unique flora and fauna, flowing rivers and many unique species of orchids. As you can see, whether you are a “twitcher,” an adrenaline junkie, or more about the slowing down in life, there is an activity for you here and all in the most charming and beautiful setting.

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Aberfoyle Lodge?

      Excellent rating  
 Based on 1 reviews 
    
  
 
 
      recommends We had a fantastic experience with Bryony and her team. Bryony is clearly knowledgeable about the region and guided us through our options and the Lake Kariba houseboat booking and choices. We had a fantastic time and I would thoroughly recommend using Heartveld.

Owner's reply
Thanks so much for the feedback Denise! We are thrilled you had a great trip and look forward to your next one!
     
   Denise Jackson 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends What an incredible holiday we just had in Zimbabwe. Thanks Bryony & Heartveld Adventures. Camp Mana was definitely the highlight for us.

Owner's reply
Those pics are gorgeous! Thanks so much for the feedback! Hoping you get to come back again soon!
     
   Patrick Campbell 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends We have just had an amazing 6 nights on Tambarara houseboat organised by Heartveld Adventures.  The boat was very comfortable and the staff were excellent.  The captain, Reg, was very professional and helpful, the chef cooked delicious meals, the barman kept our drinks flowing, the cleaners left animals made from our towels on our beds at night and the guys on the tender boat were so good with the boys aged 3, 5, 7 and 9 showing them what to do and putting on worms, for us as well. Highly recommended.

Owner's reply
Thanks Debbie for your lovely review - it was an absolute pleasure helping you with this trip!
     
   Debbie Davies 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends Good range of houseboats and friendly, helpful response

Owner's reply
Thanks so much for the review Vicky!
     
   Vicky Grant Bird 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends The trip was all you could ask for when you want to relax and forget about the world. 

Captain Godrey and his team consisting Pilot, Chef Takesure and Silas made our stay comfortable and easy. The food was flavourful and filling. You couldn’t say no to Chef Takesure’s meals. Silas kept our cooler box ready every day because he knew we loved our drinks cold and first thing in the morning. Pilot and Captain Godfrey took us to amazing views, magical sunset cruises and helped me find all the crocodiles I was looking for.

I totally recommend Heartveld Adventures for all your Kariba fantasies! ☀️⛴️🍹#February2025
     
   Ashleigh Chamboko 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends Right from when I started researching the trip in November last year, Bryony has been an absolute star. Nothing was ever too much hassle, especially with the rigours of trying to effect payment then!

Then the houseboat in Kariba! What an amazing trip we had on the Ponty, and once again Bryony organised transfers and things on the spot, awesome and a big thank you to you and Char, the Ponty was the highlight of our Zim Epic!

I cannot recommend Bryony and Heartveld Adventures enough, was so good to meet you at Charara,

Cheers and thanks again

Glenn and Family.

Owner's reply
It was a great pleasure helping you with your Zim Trip Glenn - and also nice to finally meet! We hope you get to come back again soon and we can plan another trip for you! Love to all the family!
     
   Glenn A Armstrong 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends Yes I recommend Heartveld Adventures. Great customer service and quick responses

Owner's reply
Many thanks for the review Tatenda - it was a pleasure to help you with your trip!
     
   Tatenda Antony Mhene 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends Great service, nothing was too much trouble, quick replies and responses🤙

Owner's reply
Many thanks Wils! We look forward to your next trip!
     
   Wils Raubenheimer 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends Heartveld Adventures really goes the extra mile when it comes to customer service. They really think of everything that would be needed for a great holiday. We've been on Driftwood Houseboat twice and am going on the African Queen in September 24.  Really is an amazing experience with amazing staff, very helpful and caring about your comfort and enjoyment. Thank you so much 💖

Owner's reply
Thanks so much for that lovely review! We are so glad you had another great trip and we look forward to your next trip in September!
     
   Magda Gillwald 
 
 
 
 
 
    recommends Came across Heartveld Adventures blog by chance whilst trying to plan a holiday adventure in Zimbabwe.Offloaded my thoughts to Bryony, and a well sorted package with more than I asked for was presented.Stopped looking all over the internet for any possible deals, as this was the DEAL.If your intention is to go to Zimbabwe and enjoy its hidden treasures whilst accommodated in places you wouldn't have thought of and known existed, then save yourself the trouble, and get hold of Heartveld Adventures. Their service is what makes the country keeps going.Well done Bryony

Owner's reply
Thanks so much! We really enjoyed helping you with your trip and we look forward to hopefully seeing you back in Zimbabwe again soon!
     
   gadgetsnzawesome 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
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