Frog & Fern Cottages are located in what was once the village known as Melsetter in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, in the Chimanimani district. The cottages were designed, built and are still owned and run by Jane and Dee. Frog & Fern is well known in the area for offering homely, comfortable and affordable accommodation, with a variety of cottages on offer, ensuring there will be accommodation suitable for whatever group decides to explore this remote and beautiful part of Zimbabwe.
Tree Fern 1 (2 pax)
Tree Fern 1 is a cute en-suite bedroom located on the ground floor of Tree Fern 2 cottage (Tree Fern 1 & 2 can be booked together for larger groups). Please note this is basically an en-suite bedroom only and has no kitchen for self-catering.
Tree Fern 2 (5 pax)
Tree Fern 2 is above Tree Fern 1. It is a 3 bedroomed cottage, made up of a lounge with a jet-master fireplace and small indoor dining area with an en-suite double bedroom. There is also a wooden patio which has a picnic table and outside chairs for those wishing to enjoy their meals outdoors. There is an upstairs loft which contains the other 2 bedrooms.
Room 1 – double en-suite (please note all the guests need to use this bathroom to shower);
Room 2 – 2 x single beds (loft);
Room 3 – 1 x 3/4 bed with own toilet and basin (loft).
Mzanje Cottage (3 pax)
Mzanje cottage is a self-catering cottage that has an en-suite double bedroom; with a 3rd single bed located in the lounge behind a screen (access to the bathroom can also be had via the kitchen – ensuring the guests in the bedroom have their privacy). There is a fully equipped kitchen and lounge with seating for 3 guests and a jet-master fireplace. Dining is done on the verandah located just off the kitchen and lounge.
Msasa Cottage (3 pax)
Msasa is a large a stone, thatched cottage with open verandah. It has one double bedroom en-suite and a single bed in the room, with half wall divider. This cottage is ideal for an elderly couple, twin or a couple with a young child as there are no stairways or open fireplace. Msasa Cottage has wall heaters and a bath, not a shower. It is conveniently close to Miombo so bigger groups can book both cottages and enjoy the spacious verandah and braai area.
Miombo Cottage (6 pax)
Miombo Cottage is a larger self-catering, double storey, thatched stone cottage. It has 1 double en-suite bedroom downstairs, and then in the loft area another double bed, plus 2 x single beds in a dorm style theme with moveable screens for privacy. There is a 2nd shared bathroom downstairs for the loft guests’ use. The cottage has a fully equipped open plan kitchen, dining area and lounge, with jet-master fireplace.
Pip’s Cottage (2 pax)
The most recently completed, Pip’s cottage is situated on the slope behind the other cottages, with a stunning view of the back of the estate and the mountains. This intimate two storey self-catering cottage is ideal for those wanting a romantic getaway. The lower level is where the fully equipped kitchenette, open-plan lounge and dining area are located, as well as a bathroom with toilet, basin and bath. A spiral staircase leads to the upper level, which is also open plan and has the bedroom, a seating area, en-suite toilet and gorgeous private patio.
All the cottages (aside from Tree Fern 1) are fully equipped for self-catering. The kitchens have both gas and electric cookers and an outside stone braai in the gardens. Firewood is supplied for your braai and for the fireplace inside the cottage (except Pip’s Cottage). However if you are used to lighting charcoal and prefer it, you will need to bring your own. Charcoal is not available in Chimanimani. Each cottage has a fridge, freezer, kettle, toaster and microwave as standard fittings.
The cottages run off 220 volt power with square pin plugs (adaptors are available on request). Power can sometimes be unreliable, so it is a good idea to bring some sort of back-up lighting (i.e head torches, solar torches and spare batteries). Please stock up on ice and drinks before arrival as Chimanimani village does not have a great shopping variety, with usually just the basics available.
Chimanimani water is safe to drink, however, as with most of Zimbabwe the municipal supply remains erratic. The team at Frog & Fern work on a daily basis to keep full tanks at the cottages but we recommend you carry a 5 litre container for your vehicle and/or walks because you may not always find water elsewhere in the village. Please conserve water (no car washing service is available).
Mobile phone reception is good, with Econet and NetOne being the dominant providers. For Wi-Fi you need to buy your own data from any of these service providers.
ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE IN THE AREA
Pork Pie View Point
Bridal Veil Falls
Birdwatching
Walking, hiking & running trails
Tessa’s Pool
Hiking the Chimanimani Mountains
Golf lessons
Frog & Fern Cottages are only 3kms from the popular Bridal Veil Falls (fantastic for birding as there are many “specials” only found in this area), 18km from Chimanimani National Park’s Base Camp, and shares a common boundary with the Eland Sanctuary. The cottages are the ideal place to stay when visiting and exploring this stunning, mountainous part of Zimbabwe.
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Package Deals
For package deals that include accommodation, as well as other lodges, activities and annual event participation in and around Kariba.
