The border town of Penhalonga is home to one of Zimbabwe’s best-kept secrets, La Rochelle, a magical cross twixt fairy tale castle and French chateau rich with both history and beauty! The La Rochelle estate, comprising of 108 ha, and is situated in the Imbeza Valley, Penhalonga in the mountainous eastern border area, some 280 km from Harare and 15 km from Vumba.
The house was built by Sir Stephen and Lady Virginia Courtauld in 1951 as a retirement home, and was donated to the National Trust of Zimbabwe in 1970. Way back in the day, La Rochelle was a Mecca for important local and overseas people from all walks of life, and included artists and film stars, as well as influential politicians, in addition to family members. 
Most of these distinguished visitors were asked to engrave their signatures with a diamond-tipped stylus on the two large end windows which are of great historical importance.
La Rochelle boasts one of the finest arboretums (that’s fancy English for a plant museum) in Southern Africa with some 800 varieties of trees from around the world. The La Rochelle Country House and Spa boasts luxury accommodation, great seasonal food and wines as well as a wide range of activities for every member of the family and makes a glorious addition to a good holiday.
Join us for #ThisBhazi : The Vumba Getaway and enjoy an afternoon at the tranquil La Rochelle for a late lunch and starlit Bonfire in collaboration with Pamberi Trust, ZiFM Stereo and of course us! Get your tickets here.
