Nyanga National Park

A short scenic drive through the Eastern Highlands, and a view of Zimbabwe’s tallest waterfall

This is an easy park to visit and there were good views of the Nyanga Mountains from the main ‘circular’ gravel road. On the higher slopes was moorland vegetation and in the valleys, dry grassy plains but I only saw a couple of grazing antelope. The highlight was the viewpoint overlooking the Mtarazi Falls (761 metres); a free-leaping waterfall of two delicate tiers and the tallest waterfall in Zimbabwe. Beyond was the Honde Valley, some 800 metres below, with its lovely bright green tea estates and wooded areas of wild fig trees. Combined with a stop for tea at one of the country hotels near the park, it was a pleasant country drive, but I find the scenery in the Vumba and Chimanimani mountains south of Mutare more dramatic.