Three Nyanga waterfalls in one weekend: Nyangombe, Pungwe and Mutarazi

Nyanga has more waterfalls than most visitors have time for. These three show the full range, from an easy family walk to a 772-metre drop off the edge of the Eastern Highlands.

Day 1, morning: Nyangombe Falls
Start gently. From Rhodes Nyanga Hotel, cross the Nyangombe River bridge on the A14 and follow the gravel road west past Ubu Lodge to the falls car park. A 300-metre walk brings you to a chain of cascades over granite steps. Downstream, the Nyangombe natural swimming pool and its sandy “Brighton Beach” have braai stands, changing rooms and toilets, so it’s a good place for a picnic lunch. Watch your footing, because the rocks are slippery.

Day 1, afternoon: Pungwe Falls and Gorge
Head to Pungwe View on the Scenic Road. From there you can see the Pungwe River drop 240 metres into the Pungwe Gorge, one of the deepest and greenest views in the park. In season, Far and Wide offers white-water rafting on the Pungwe.

Day 2: Mutarazi Falls
Save the biggest for last. At 772 metres, Mutarazi is Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall, falling in two tiers from the escarpment into the Honde Valley. It lies in its own Mutarazi National Park (2,495 hectares), on the southern border of Nyanga National Park. For the brave, Far and Wide Zimbabwe runs a skywalk across two bridges, 30 and 90 metres high, and a zipline over the gorge.

When to go
The falls are fullest in the rainy season, November to March. April to October brings clearer skies for photos and drier roads.

Good to know

• Nyanga National Park gates open from 6am to 6pm, and park entry fees apply.
• Bring a jacket, because the highlands are cool even in summer.
• Book skywalk, zipline and rafting with Far and Wide ahead of time.
• If you’re staying more than a weekend, add Mount Nyangani, but start that hike early.