Mutarazi Falls
Waterfall Second-highest waterfall in Zimbabwe, steep gorge drop
A plunging cascade into Mutarazi Gorge, Mutarazi Falls is Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall and offers dramatic viewpoints. Hikes, gorge walks and a commercial bungee operate nearby for visitors seeking scenery and adrenaline.
Mutarazi Falls is Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall, located in the eastern Highlands within Mutarazi National Park. The falls drop in a long series of cascades down a steep gorge to the Honde Valley below.
A viewpoint and walking routes in the national park allow views down the gorge and across the Honde Valley; the falls are most impressive during and after the rainy season when flow is highest. The surrounding park offers rugged scenery characteristic of the highland escarpment.
A natural feature formed by the escarpment and riverine erosion, the falls and surrounding land have been incorporated into a national park to protect the watershed and provide access for nature-based tourism. The site has no human-built heritage from its formation period.
Located in Manicaland Province in eastern Zimbabwe, the falls sit above Honde Valley on the eastern escarpment of the Eastern Highlands and are reached from regional roads serving nearby towns and conservation areas.
- Height and seasonality: The falls form a dramatic multi-tiered drop and are the highest in Zimbabwe and among the tallest in southern Africa, most dramatic in the rainy season.
How to Get to Mutarazi Falls #
Mutarazi Falls sit in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe (Manicaland) and are reached via the rough roads that serve the highland parks and valleys. Access is typically from the regional centres of Mutare or Nyanga by car or organized tour; the approach commonly requires travel on unpaved park tracks and a final hike or short scramble to viewpoints, so 4x4 transport and local guidance are often recommended. Check local operators in Mutare or Nyanga for exact routes and current road conditions.
Tips for Visiting Mutarazi Falls #
- Visit Mutarazi Falls soon after the rainy season (late summer to early autumn) when the falls are at higher flow and the plunge is most dramatic.
- Approach the falls from the Honde Valley/Mutasa side and check local road and trail conditions before setting out-access can be steep and rough, so confirm current routes with local operators or lodges.
- Hire a local guide or join an organized visit for the best viewpoints and safer navigation of the steep paths around the falls; independent routes are sometimes unclear and poorly signposted.
Best Time to Visit Mutarazi Falls #
Mutarazi Falls is most impressive during and just after the rainy season (November-April), but access and hiking are easier in the dry months (May-October).
Weather & Climate near Mutarazi Falls #
Mutarazi Falls's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 6°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1219 mm/year), wettest in January with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (268 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Heavy rain (219 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (154 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 7°C. The driest month with just 15 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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November
November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Heavy rain (242 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
