03/02/2023
Doug and Tempe van de Ruit would like to thank all their friends who have visited The Farmhouse over the last eleven years. We have not forgotten all the incredible support we got from far and
wide after Cyclone Idai hit our mountainous village in March 2019.
We can’t believe that its already nearly four years ago that it happened. I thought our happy life in Chimanimani was over, but we are still here and going strong. Thanks everyone for your kindness at that time.
I have asked my niece to put this on Facebook for me because I am afraid that I am not on Facebook myself and I don’t want to spend any more time than I do looking at my phone but I would like to
make two announcements.
1. FAMBA FAMBA
Doug’s wonderful father, Hennie van de Ruit, died in March last year. We have sorted out his old house down the road from us and it is now a B & B called Famba Famba which means Walk Walk in
Shona. Chimanimani is the finest walking destination in Zimbabwe! If you want breakfast, a full English breakfast is served on the veranda with a glorious view of the mountains.
Like the Farmhouse Famba Famba is is fully equipped for self-catering and it costs $20 per person per night. It has four
bedrooms, two in the main stone house and two in the wooden extension which has its own shower
and toilet. Like the Farmhouse it sleeps eight but counting two in the double bed.
2. NEW CAMP SITE
The second thing I would like to let everyone know is that we now have a special campsite for campers. Guests were parking on the lawn of the Farmhouse under the huge mahogany tree and
were sharing the outdoor shower and toilet of the Farmhouse. Now we have renovated the Peneff’s old workshop in the bottom paddock into a camp site. We fenced off an area so that the cows,
horses and sheep cannot eat the trees we planted. We built a shower with a solar geyser and a toilet, and made a lock up room and a double sink for washing up. There is an eating area under the
roof with benches and a table and a braai stand. There is also a fire brick plinth on which to make a fire to sit around. And of course, there is a stunning view of the mountains. Camping costs $10 per
person per night, half price for children.
If you would like to book the Farmhouse or Penny’s Palace (the two roomed cottage) or Famba
Famba or the Camp Site please whatsapp me (Tempe van de Ruit) on +263 77101283
