| Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | Chinhoyi District,Zimbabwe |
| Nearest city | Chinhoyi |
| Coordinates | 17°21′0″S30°07′30″E / 17.35000°S 30.12500°E /-17.35000; 30.12500 |
| Governing body | Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority |
| Official name | Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park |
| Designated | 3 May 2013 |
| Reference no. | 2103[1] |
TheChinhoyi Caves (previously theSinoia Caves) are a group oflimestone anddolomite caves in north centralZimbabwe.[2] Designated aNational Park in 1955, and managed by the Zimbabwe Parks & Wildlife Management Authority.
The caves are located inMakonde District,Mashonaland West Province, in north central Zimbabwe. They lie approximately 9 kilometres (5.6 mi), by road, northwest ofChinhoyi (formerly Sinoia), the nearest large town, and the location of the district and provincial headquarters.[3] This location lies about 135 kilometres (84 mi), northwest ofHarare, the capital.[4] The caves lie on the main road, Highway A-1, between Harare andChirundu, at the International border with theRepublic of Zambia, about 250 kilometres (160 mi), further northwest of the caves.[5]
The cave system is composed oflimestone anddolomite. The main cave contains a pool of cobalt blue water, which is popularly calledSleeping Pool orChirorodziva ("Pool of the Fallen").[2] Divers have discovered a submarine passage leading from theBat Cave, a subchamber of theDark Cave to another room known as theBlind Cave. Diving is possible in the caves all year round, with temperatures never beyond the 22 to 24 °C (72 to 75 °F) range with zerothermocline. Visibility is high, and 50 metres (160 ft) and above is not unusual. This site is often visited by diving expedition teams oftechnical divers that performultra deep diving. It is not uncommon for dives in excess of 100 metres (330 ft) to be made here by experienced technical divers. Acampsite, run by the National Parks Authority, and a motel are located on-site.
The local name for the cave's pool,Chirorodziva ("Pool of the Fallen") comes from an incident that occurred in 1830, where members of theAngonni tribe attacked the local people and threw their victims into the cave to dispose of them.[2]
The limestone caves were first described byFrederick Courtney Selous in 1888. These caves are the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe that the public can access.
The caves have an important place inAfrican Traditional Religion, with the caves themselves as a site forrainmaking, surrounded by a sacred forest, from which trees could not be felled.[6]
