Forming a link in the off-centre spine of Africa, the Eastern Highlands Mountain Range effectively begins all the way down in the Western Cape of South Africa, continues up along the Drakensburg Mountains and onwards along the Grift Rift to the Ethiopian Highlands.

Altitude, latitude and its proximity to the Indian Ocean combine to provide a unique and arresting landscape in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. The altitude changes the vegetation and climate dramatically from the rest of southern Africa and being inside the tropics, the coldest it ever gets is, "let's make a roaring fire"; and moisture rising from the Indian Ocean turns this mountainous region into a lush watershed of abundance.

The northern part of the Eastern Highlands has massive rolling hills and mountains covered with miombo woodlands and grassy valleys that support a good population of wildlife in the Nyanga National Park. Also inside the park is Mt. Inyangani, Zimbabwe's highest peak and a not-too-strenuous walk for a sensational view as your reward.

Adjoining Nyanga Park is a small park named after the Mutarazi Falls, which, plunging 762m down a sheer cliff, are the second highest falls in Africa and among the highest in the world. The view into the Honde Valley below and the walk along the cliff's edge are worth at least 8GB on your camera (by 2010 standards that is).

Moving south, the altitude drops into the Vumba Forest and mountains where the rainfall and mist-shrouded peaks create an intimate forest perfect for scenic hikes and and drives.

The Chimanimani National Park is, if anything, more dramatic than the gentle mountains to the north. This area speaks in the jagged peaks and deeply-cut river gorges that are the mother tongue of adventure hikers and nature lovers. The Bridal Veil Falls paint a beautiful picture among too many to mention.

The Eastern Highlands, being a unique habitat, has many rare species of plants and animals and is one of only nine endemic bird areas in southern Africa. Wildlife is not as prolific as in the big game parks but the encounters you do have are all the more intimate for it.

What to do in the Eastern Highlands depends on your whim and your vigour (and how much time you've given yourself):

• Multi-day adventure hike into the Chimanimani Mountains
• Scenic day walks up mountains, through valleys and to rivers, pools and waterfalls
• White-water rafting down the Pungwe River
• Trout fishing in specially stocked dams and rivers
• Horse riding on a private nature reserve
• Explore many sites of ancient ruins left by the Ziwa people
• Tea at the botanical gardens or a boozy chocolate cake at Tony's Coffee Shop, both in the Bvumba Forest.
• Chirinda Forest, the southernmost tropical forest in Africa with giant mahogany trees and a multitude of orchids
• Game drives and walking safaris in the Nyanga National Park looking for rare plants and animals including leopard, wildebeest, waterbuck, samango monkeys, Swynnerton's robin, flame lilies, Inyangani river frog and many others
• Golf at scenic Troutbeck or the Leopard Rock Championship Course - one of Africa's best courses designed by Peter Matkovitch and overlooking the Burma Valley
• Explore the Honde Valley blanketed in tea and coffee plantations reminiscent of Tolkien's shire and home to many rare birds, countless butterflies and some of the world's fastest-growing trees
• Mutarazi Falls is the 2nd highest waterfalls in Africa and about 17th highest in the world
• Hike up Mount Inyangani, Zimbabwe's highest peak at 2,593m
• Curl up by the fire with nothing but a good book and the fresh pine smells of the forest air

Organised and independent activities abound in the Eastern Highlands so it's best to talk with your Travel Expert to decide how best to spend your time in "Little Scotland Without the Midges or Bad Weather".