Almost the entire length of eastern Zimbabwe's southernmost mountain range is encompassed within the Chimanimani National Park, a magical region of craggy massifs, deep valleys streams and waterfalls, of forest, grassland and heath. The region's highest peaks - Kweza, Mavenje and Dombe - rise more than 2200 m (7218ft) above the surrounding countryside. The park is known more for its scenic beauty than for its wildlife. Even so, it has its animals, the largest of which is the eland. Baboons are common, shy blue duiker can sometimes be spotted, and agile klipspringers scale the rocky outcrops.

Like Nyanga and the Bvumba mountains to the north, this is fine walking terrain. Indeed, most of the park is accessible only by foot, and it is crisscrossed by pathways, some of the more interesting ones leading to skeleton Pass, the Southern Lakes ( this is known as the Banana Grove trail) and to the wildness of the Bundi plateau.

There is the three-hour climb up to Mount Binga (2437m; 7996ft) and the rock formations and enchanted waters of Tessa's Pool will refresh you en route to the Mutekeswane Base Camp, the usual entry point into the mountains. Chimanimaniu also boasts some of the earth's deepest caves, one of them - the Jungle Pot - tunnels 250 m (820 ft) down into the ground.

At the southern extremity of the park, in a valley that nudges the Mozambique border, are the two Haroni Rusituy botanical reserves, splendid showcases of rainforest, small mammals such as the tree civet, and rich birdlife that includes the chestnut-fronted helmet shrike and red-winged warbler.

To the west of the park and close to the tiny village of Chimanimani is the eland sanctuary, an expanse of mountainous terrain that serves as haven to a remnant population of the species ( which is the only large antelope to thrive among pine plantations), together with a number of waterbuck and zebra. it also embraces the exquisite Bridal Veil Falls.

South of the small lowveld farming centre of Chipinge you'll find the Chirinda forest Botanical Reserve, centrepiece of which is the mission station of Mount Selinda. Chirinda contains one of the country's last patches of primeval forest and some magnificent hardwood trees - more than 100 species in all, including ironwoods and red mahoganies. One specimen, a 1000-year old red mahogany, is nearly 60m (197ft) high and 16 m (52ft) in circumference.

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