Mutarazi FallsMutarazi Falls at a Glance
About Mutarazi Falls
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.
Nearby Attractions to Mutarazi Falls
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 13° - 22° | 18° | 268 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.8 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.0h |
| February | Good | 13° - 22° | 18° | 219 mm | partly cloudy | 83% | 1.8 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.6h |
| March | Good | 12° - 21° | 17° | 154 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.1h |
| April | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 66 mm | some cloud | 81% | 1.9 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.6h |
| May | Excellent | 8° - 18° | 13° | 26 mm | mostly sunny | 76% | 1.7 m/s | 1.6 very high | 11.1h |
| June | Excellent | 6° - 16° | 11° | 22 mm | mostly sunny | 75% | 1.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 10.9h |
| July | Excellent | 6° - 16° | 11° | 17 mm | mostly sunny | 73% | 1.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.0h |
| August | Excellent | 7° - 18° | 12° | 15 mm | clear | 65% | 2.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.4h |
| September | Excellent | 9° - 21° | 15° | 19 mm | clear | 60% | 2.5 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.9h |
| October | Very Good | 11° - 23° | 17° | 50 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.5 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 12.4h |
| November | Good | 12° - 22° | 17° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 67% | 2.7 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 12.9h |
| December | Acceptable | 13° - 22° | 17° | 242 mm | overcast | 78% | 2.2 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.1h |
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.