Mtarazi Falls is Zimbabwe’s highest waterfall, with a combined drop of 762 meters over multiple tiers. Located in Nyanga National Park in the Eastern Highlands, the falls cascade down dramatic cliffs into the Honde Valley below.
Quick Facts
The Falls
Height Comparison
What to Expect
- Multi-tier drops - Not a single plunge
- Dramatic escarpment - Falls down cliff edge
- Mist and spray - At high water
- Valley views - Honde Valley below
- Remote setting - Wilderness atmosphere
Hiking to the Falls
Main Trail
Trail Description
- Start: Mtarazi Falls car park
- Through forest on defined path
- Emerge at escarpment edge
- Viewpoints along cliff edge
- Return: Same route back
Viewpoints
Multiple vantage points along the escarpment:- Upper viewpoint - Falls from above
- Main viewpoint - Classic full view
- Lower viewpoint - Alternative angle
When to Visit
By Season
Best Months
For photography: May-July (good flow + visibility) For drama: February-March (peak water) For clear skies: August-SeptemberGetting There
From Nyanga Village
- Enter Nyanga National Park
- Follow signs to Mtarazi Falls
- Park at designated area
- Begin hike on marked trail
From Harare
- Distance: ~270 km
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Route: Via Rusape or Mutare
What to Bring
Essential:- Good hiking boots
- Water (2+ liters)
- Sun protection
- Rain jacket (mist, highland weather)
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Picnic lunch
- Warm layer (highlands cool)
Photography Tips
- Wide angle for full falls view
- Telephoto for detail shots
- Tripod for slow water effects
- Waterproof cover for mist
- Morning light generally best
Safety
- Stay on marked trails
- Don’t climb over barriers
- Watch children carefully
- Avoid in thunderstorms
- Inform someone of plans
Nearby Attractions
Zimbabwe's Highest
While Victoria Falls is more famous, Mtarazi Falls is over seven times higher. For those who make the hike, the reward is one of Africa’s most dramatic waterfalls in a pristine mountain setting.