Turaco Trail: Hike Safely - Essential Guidelines
The Turaco Trail offers incredible hiking and backpacking, but inherent dangers exist. Prioritise your safety by adhering to these guidelines:
Mountain Register:-
Always complete the mountain register at the FAR and WIDE trailhead accurately and in detail.
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This crucial information is often the only resource for rescue teams in case of an accident or getting lost. Your life may depend on it.
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Remember to:
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Report your return to avoid unnecessary searches.
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Stick to your planned route.
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Inform a close contact of your expected return time.
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Security:
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You should not encounter others on the trail, as it's a National Park with strictly prohibited entry without a permit.
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Never leave equipment unattended and secure belongings inside your tent at night.
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Report any suspicious individuals.
Equipment:
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Essential: Mountain-rated tent (high winds), good sleeping bag (temperatures often below freezing, even in warmer months), sturdy waterproof hiking boots (running shoes are inadequate).
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Carry: Extra food (crucial in bad weather), sufficient spare warm and waterproof/windproof clothing (layers are key; a jersey alone is insufficient in cold winds), trail map and know how to use it (trail is marked, but other paths aren't), whistle for emergencies.
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Navigation: The clearly marked Turaco Trail on the map doesn't include all game trails. Map-reading skills are vital.
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Signalling: Always carry a whistle.
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Help: Six long blasts in quick succession, repeated every minute.
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Reply: Three long blasts in quick succession, repeated every minute.
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Recall Searchers: Continuous series of short blasts.
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Group Travel: NEVER SPLIT YOUR GROUP. Stay together and walk at the pace of the slowest member.
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Hydration: Drink water often, before feeling thirsty (thirst indicates dehydration). All trail water is considered safe.
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Essentials: Torch with spare batteries and waterproof matches/lighter.
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Carrying Gear: Comfortable rucksack with essential items in plastic bags. A waterproof pack cover is strongly recommended.
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Waste Management: Carry a trowel to bury human waste. Pack out all rubbish ("pack it in, pack it out").
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Self-Reliance: Remember, you are self-reliant. There is no immediate assistance available on the trail.
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Route & Weather: Plan your route carefully and always check the weather forecast. Be aware: cirrus clouds signal potential bad weather within 48 hours.
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Group Pace: Plan your hike considering the least experienced member's abilities.
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Daylight & Campsite: Ensure you reach your campsite with ample daylight to set up and cook, especially crucial due to shorter winter days.
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Medication: All participants must carry their required medications.
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Remember to tell someone who knows you where you are going. Fill in the trail register at FAR and WIDE. *Watch the weather as it can change quickly. Do not attempt to summit Mt Nyangani in misty conditions or if there is any risk of the weather changing. *Always carry water and warm waterproof clothing. Perennial water points are marked on the map. *Don't feed any wild animals as this makes them problem animals which may have to be destroyed. Stand still and back away slowly from animals. *Report all emergencies to FAR and WIDE. *Report any misbehavior and offences to FAR and WIDE or National Parks.
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Respect other hikers' privacy and behave responsibly.
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Never roll rocks downhill – your actions could endanger others.
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Leave campsites pristine; pack out all litter.
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Do not pick wildflowers; protect rare species.
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Fires are permitted only in designated wild camp areas.
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Avoid leaving candle wax on rocks.
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Do not use soap in streams; wash well away from water sources.
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Defecate at least five minutes' walk from streams, paths, camps, and forests, ideally in grasslands.
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Please take all litter out with you. Do not throw away any items even if they break down quickly. Help us by picking up any litter you see.
The Turaco Trail traverses the pristine wilderness of Mutarazi Falls and Nyanga National Parks in Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. Your responsible behaviour is crucial to preserving the beauty, ecology, and water resources of Nyanga National Park. Resist the urge to mark rocks or trees with names, messages, or arrows.
Please consider other users of the Turaco Trail. Preferably defecate in the grasslands, at least five minutes walk away from streams, caves, paths and forests. Dig a hole at least 20cm deep and bury faeces.
Fires are devastating to animals and plants: to reduce risk of accidents, no fires are allowed, except in designated areas. Only the use of camping stoves is allowed.
Stick to the trails constructed for your use. Leaving them will cause unnecessary erosion and is unsafe: please do not take short cuts.
This trail is in a National Park and by law you are not allowed to remove anything from the Park. Do not pick the flowers - enable everyone to enjoy them and produce seeds.
Most people hike the Turaco Trail to enjoy the peace it offers. Shouting, whistling and loud music shatter this peace. Please respect our wilderness and the spirit of the mountains.
Take extreme care not to dislodge rocks as they endanger the lives of others, damage vegetation and even start erosion. There are steep sections to the trail that need to be carefully navigated.
Camp only in designated areas marked on the map. Practice Leave No Trace. Avoid camping near rivers due to flash flood risk and on exposed ridges or under tall trees during thunderstorms due to lightning. Choose your campsite carefully.
Sudden Weather Changes: Stay together and ensure no one lags behind.
Mist: Frequent on the Turaco Trail. Seek shelter and do not move until visibility improves. STAY ON THE MARKED TRAIL and keep your group together. Avoid shortcuts.
Rain: Seek shelter promptly. Wet, cold, and windy conditions can be life-threatening.
River Crossings: Exercise extreme caution during floods. If unsure, do not cross. Always unclip your rucksack waist strap and use a recognized river crossing technique.
Lightning: Avoid high ground, isolated trees, and rocky outcrops. The Eastern Highlands has a high lightning strike frequency.
Hail: Protect your head with your backpack.
Most Turaco Trail incidents involve physical injury or weather extremes. Don't panic.
Physical Injury: Ensure clear breathing (CPR if needed), stop bleeding, dress wounds. Keep the person still and comfortable. If spinal injury is suspected, do not move the casualty.
Weather Extremes: Exhaustion in cold, wet, wind leads to hypothermia (shivering, poor coordination, carelessness) and can be fatal. Seek shelter from elements, put on dry clothes, drink warm (non-alcoholic) fluids, and use body contact for warmth. Socks can serve as gloves. Preventative wind/waterproof gear is crucial, even in summer. Be aware of hyperthermia and dehydration treatment.
Snake Bite (Unlikely but Serious): a) Keep victim calm and still (no immediate danger). b) Minimize movement to slow venom spread (carry if needed). c) Do not use a tourniquet. Seek immediate medical help. d) For spitting rinkals, rinse eyes immediately with any liquid.
Groups: Recommended size: 4-8 (max 12). Minimum 4 allows for someone to stay with the injured while two seek help.
Raising the Alarm (FAR and WIDE Zimbabwe Camp: 0772 469 229; Office: (029) 3011/2): Provide clear details: problem, names, number of people, exact location, and altitude. This prevents miscommunication.
Remember, rescuers risk their lives for you. ACT RESPONSIBLY.
FAR and WIDE has a huge range of suitable equipment for hire including: tents, stoves, fuel bottles, rucsacs, sleeping bags, chairs and camping mats, trekking poles, gps units, radios, maps and compasses. See the Turaco Trail prices for details.
We have professional guides trained and qualified under the British Mountaineering Council. We also have local guides as well as porters to carry your kit if you would like and even chefs to prepare your meals. See the Turaco Trail prices above.