What to wear

Layers you can take off, and nothing made of cotton next to your skin. Cotton holds sweat, then chills you the moment you stop moving or the sun goes behind a ridge.

Feet

Worn-in trainers are fine for Easy walks on good paths. For anything moderate or on granite, wear boots or trail shoes with real grip — Zimbabwe's granite is genuinely slippery when wet or dusty, and smooth soles are how people fall. Take the socks seriously; most blisters are a sock problem.

Legs

Light trousers or long shorts that move. Long trousers are the better choice through grass and scrub — they keep ticks, thorns and sun off. Avoid jeans: heavy, hot, miserable once wet.

Upper body

A breathable shirt, a light layer for the top of a climb, and a waterproof in the wet season. Long sleeves are cooler than bare arms in real sun, which surprises people every time.

Head and eyes

A brimmed hat and sunglasses. Zimbabwe's high veld sits well above 1,000 m and the Eastern Highlands higher still — there is meaningfully less atmosphere filtering the sun here than at sea level, and you burn faster than the temperature suggests. A cool, breezy day at altitude is exactly when people get caught out.

By season

• Rainy season (roughly Nov–Mar) — assume you will get wet. Waterproof, spare socks, and accept that mist can close in quickly in the Eastern Highlands.
• Cool dry season (roughly May–Aug) — warm mornings are cold mornings at altitude. Bring the extra layer for the start and the summit; you will carry it at midday.
• Hot dry season (roughly Sep–Oct) — earlier starts, more water, and shade is scarce in Matobo.