Chinhoyi

Chinhoyi is in Mashonaland, Zimbabwe.

Chinhoyi is a city in Northern Zimbabwe and the capital of Mashonaland West Province. It is an important administrative, commercial and agricultural centre and is best known to visitors for the nearby Chinhoyi Caves, which contain a deep blue underground pool. Chinhoyi is located northwest of Harare and is one of the principal urban centres in northern Zimbabwe. The city serves the surrounding agricultural communities and is an important centre for trade, education, government services and transport. The area around Chinhoyi is known for agriculture, with maize, tobacco and other crops grown in the surrounding countryside. The city has developed into an important stopping point for travellers heading between Harare and destinations in northwestern Zimbabwe. The population is mainly Shona-speaking, while English is widely used in education, business and official communication.

The area around Chinhoyi has a long history of settlement. The modern town developed during the colonial period and grew as an agricultural and administrative centre. Chinhoyi later became an important urban centre in Mashonaland West. The city continues to serve as the provincial capital and a centre for commerce and public services. The nearby Chinhoyi Caves have long been one of the area's best-known natural attractions. The caves and their underground water system attract visitors interested in nature, geology and diving.

Chinhoyi has a subtropical climate with a warm rainy season and a cooler, dry winter. Most rainfall occurs during the summer months, generally from around November to March. Winters are usually dry, with warm days and cooler nights.

Chinhoyi is connected to Harare by a major road running northwest through central Zimbabwe. The city is also on routes leading towards Kariba, Karoi and the border areas in the northwest. Road travel is one of the most convenient ways to reach Chinhoyi.

The central parts of Chinhoyi can be explored on foot. Taxis and local minibuses are available for travelling around the city

Chinhoyi Caves are approximately 120 km from Harare. The caves are mostly water-filled, and are very deep, exceeding 120 m in depth. The full cave system has not yet been explored.

The caves are situated within a national park, so you will need to pay an entrance fee. Additionally, if you intend to dive, you need to get the appropriate permit and supervision.

This is not a dive site for inexperienced divers, and years of extensive training in Technical Diving and Cave Diving are mandatory if you want to dive the site. However, if you have the required expertise this is one of the most spectacular cave diving sites worldwide. There are no diving facilities available on-site so you will need to bring all your own equipment.

• Harare — Zimbabwe's capital and largest city, southeast of Chinhoyi.
• Kariba — A lakeside destination near the southern end of Lake Kariba.
• Karoi — A town northwest of Chinhoyi and an important agricultural centre.
• Banket — A smaller town between Chinhoyi and Harare.
• Mana Pools National Park — A major