Mutare and Bvumba

On Zimbabwe's eastern border, running some 300 km from north to south, is a string of mountains quite striking in its rugged beauty. For a holiday-maker in search of rejuvenation, its appeal is obvious, for it offers peace of mind, in a tranquil but stunning environment with a variety of scenery.

The landscape of this region varies greatly between the gentle rolling countryside of Nyanga to the fierce granite of Chimanimani. Mutare, the provincial capital of Manicaland, is famed for its tree-lined streets that are an almost year-round blaze of different colours, from the red-gold of the msasa trees, to the blue haze of the jacarandas and the deep orange of the flamboyants. The town offers restaurants, markets, curio shops, camping sites, fine hotels and budget accommodation in a beautiful mountainous landscape.

Mutare is the starting point for the mystical Bvumba, with a good-tarred road winding up through the steep mountain ranges. Up here, in the Mountains of the Mist, many cosy, country hotels known for their good cuisine, hospitality and plenty of peace and quiet can be found. One of the most famous, the Leopard Rock Hotel, comes complete with a world-class 18-hole golf course and magnificent views down into Mozambique.

Nyanga and Chimanimani

North of Mutare is the Nyanga area, with pine forests ideal for walking or horse trails, and beautiful dams that are a haven for trout fishermen. Another great golf course at the Troutbeck Inn makes every golfer's heart beat faster. Mount Nyangani (2592m), the highest mountain of Zimbabwe, can be conquered on foot while the less-energetic might prefer a game drive along one of the many scenic routes in the Nyanga National Park. Both are experiences to savour.

At the southernmost tip of the Eastern Highlands are the Chimanimani Mountains, immediately recognisable by their sharp and jagged volcanic peaks. Ail or part of the exquisite mountain ranges can be conquered with only a little mountaineering skill, and they are punctuated with hundreds of enticing rivers, waterfalls and natural pools to soothe walkers after a long day's hike.