About
Monavale Vlei is an urban wetland in north-western Harare, off Fenella Drive, and one of Zimbabwe's Ramsar-listed sites: open grassland vlei with miombo woodland along its edges. It suits birders, dog walkers and anyone after open space close to home.
More than 240 bird species have been recorded here, including grassland specials such as the Striped Crake and Streaky-breasted Flufftail, which is what draws birders out early. It is looked after by COSMO, the local conservation society, whose patrolling, alien-plant clearing and firefighting are the reason there is still a vlei to walk on.
Locals treat it as their everyday green space. Reviewers mention walking the dogs, bird-watching, fresh air and watching the sun come up or go down over the marsh, and one notes it stays green. Another calls it a birding site worth protecting for future generations. One walker describes it as a little unkempt, though no less beautiful for it. The vlei's future comes up too: a reviewer mentions a petition against plans to develop the land. Rated 4.4 from 36 Google reviews.