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 The Eastern Highlands comprise three main mountain groups - Nyanga (to the north), Bvumba (centrally situated near the city of Mutare) and Chimanimani (to the south). These regions are all sparsely populated, highland country with a cooler and wetter climate than other parts of Africa. They are popular holiday destinations for the local people with the main activities being hiking, camping and fishing. However, they do not attract the large number of international tourists who flood to the safrai and game parks elsewhere in the country. All three are highly recommended destinations. 
The circular drive (called the Burma Valley Road) through the Bvumba Mountains offers spectacular views and takes you through cloudforest, protea and coffee farms and plantations growing bananas, mangoes, macadamia nuts and burley tobacco. The hills around Bvumba are alive with colourful trees and plants. And then there is the Bvumba Botanical Gardens with its display of orchids, tree ferns, aloes, fuschias, hydrangeas, lily ponds, azaleas and other exotic plants. The gardens are landscaped harmoniously into the mountainside and the plants thrive on an annual rainfall higher than that of London.  Paths meander through the shrubs and trees which are gathered from all over the world. The gardens are set aound a central ornamental lake with waterlilies. Adjoining the gardens, lies the Bvumba Rainforest Reserve which you can explore on marked paths and trails. Depite its modest appearance, the teahouse in the gardens has an excellent reputation and is highly recommended as a resting place after touring the grounds. The pecan pie and lemon cake both received top marks !
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