National Park in Zimbabwe
Mountains, waterfalls and trout streams
The Eastern Highlands are a range of mountains along the border with Mozambique, where the scenery is cool, green and very different from the dry plains below. The region includes Nyanga, with Mount Nyangani, the highest peak in Zimbabwe at about 2,592 metres, the Vumba near Mutare, with its botanical gardens and forest walks, and the Chimanimani Mountains, with their rugged quartzite peaks.
The area is a place for walking, trout fishing, birdwatching, waterfalls, and quiet country hotels. Nyanga has Mutarazi Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Africa, and the Vumba is renowned for its birds, including several forest species found nowhere else in Zimbabwe.
The Highlands are a gentle stop after the safari, and a good fit for walkers and birders.
The Highlands are not a big-game area, but have antelope such as bushbuck and duiker, samango monkeys, klipspringer and a great variety of butterflies. Leopard are present but rarely seen.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Forested mountains, grassy plateaus, waterfalls and misty valleys, with long views across to Mozambique.
Activities here
The Highlands are cooler and wetter than the rest of Zimbabwe. Days are mild, nights can be cold, and mist and drizzle are common. The rains fall from November to March.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 14 | 200 |
| Feb | 24 | 14 | 180 |
| Mar | 23 | 13 | 130 |
| Apr | 21 | 10 | 60 |
| May | 18 | 7 | 25 |
| Jun | 16 | 4 | 15 |
| Jul | 16 | 4 | 15 |
| Aug | 19 | 6 | 20 |
| Sep | 22 | 9 | 25 |
| Oct | 24 | 11 | 60 |
| Nov | 24 | 13 | 130 |
| Dec | 24 | 14 | 190 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry, sunny and cool, which is best for hiking.
November to April is warm, wet and misty, with rivers and waterfalls in full flow.
April to October for hiking, and September to November for birding. The area can be visited all year.
Best time to visit Apr to Jun, Oct to Nov
Nyanga is about three hours by road from Harare, and the Vumba is about 20 minutes from Mutare, which is about four hours from Harare. Chimanimani is about two hours from Mutare. Mutare and Harare have flights from Johannesburg.
Park fees are included in our tours. Please see the Zimbabwe page for visa details.
The Highlands are a low malaria area, but please take advice. The weather changes quickly, so bring warm and waterproof layers.
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“Our take”
The Eastern Highlands are best as a cool, slow start or end to a Zimbabwe trip, with two nights for hiking and rest.
Safaris from
US$6,956 per person
Plan your time in Eastern Highlands
Every safari we run is private and built around you. Tell us your dates and what you hope to see, and we will shape the route, the lodges and the permits.
Made to measure
Tell us how you like to travel and we will build a private journey around it: the right lodges, the right pace and the permits already in hand.
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