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Wonder
Mutarazi Falls (Mtarazi Falls)
In short
The second tallest waterfall in Africa is Mutarazi Falls – 762 m tall waterfall on Mtarazi River.
47.3%
GPS coordinates
Alternate names
Height
Stream
Map of the site
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In detail
Description of falls
Mutarazi Falls is considered to be the second tallest waterfall in Africa after the 948 m tall Tugela Falls.
Here the Mtarazi river falls down a very impressive Archaean granite escarpment of Nyangani massif in Honde Valley. Soon after the waterfall Mtarazi flows into the Honde River.
Part of the waterfall plunges free in the air (479 m) and then it slides down along a very steep cliff.
Some 600 m to the west over the escarpment falls another waterfall – Mutaruru Falls. It has a similar height but the stream is smaller.
Area around the falls has got some commercialization – since 2019 there is a zip line and very impressive skywalks – two walking bridges along the falls. Nevertheless, to a large extent, the area around the waterfall is little influenced by human activities.
At the foot of the waterfall is some 260 ha large patch of rainforest (1). The main species of tree in this forest is Pouteria adolfi-friedericii – a characteristic tree for the stable, little disturbed rainforest. This is the only location in Zimbabwe where this tree is found – it is more typical in more equatorial forests, e.g. in the Congo Democratic Republic.
References
- Tom Müller. The Distribution, Classification and Conservation of Rainforests in Eastern Zimbabwe. 2006. Accessed on 30th January 2022.
Linked articles
Wonders of Zimbabwe
Highlights of Zimbabwe are the only true large ancient stone structures south from Sahara. Best known by far is Great Zimbabwe, which gave a name and cultural symbols for the country, but there are hundreds of more sites. Ecosystems and giant trees. Zimbabwe has the southernmost African rainforest – Chirinda Forest, where grows a truly unique mahogany tree. Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe have several outlying "islands" of tropical forest with numerous endemic species of plants and animals.
Waterfalls
Some of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring natural monuments are waterfalls or locations where a river abruptly changes its elevation.
Wonders of Africa
Africa has many outstanding wonders and some of the most surprising ones are the heritage of Egyptian civilization, the vernacular architecture of the Sahel region, tropical ecosystems, and others.
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