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The Great Zimbabwe Ruins and Matobo Hills

The mortar-less walls of' Great Zimbabwe is a ruined Iron Age city that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe, which existed from 1100 to 1450 AD. Construction first began in the 11th century and continued until 14th century. In its heyday it could have housed up to 18,000 people over a 722 hectares.

Emma, Zimbabwe specialists: "Central to Zimbabwe’s history... a fascinating place and it’s hard to imagine how it is still standing without the aid of mortar holding the perfectly balancing stones in place!"
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A royal palace for the Zimbabwean monarch this would have been used as the seat of their political power. One of its most prominent features was its walls, some of which were over five metres high and which were constructed without mortar.

The abandoned ruined city was first discovered by European traders and explorers in the early 16th century. In essence the word "Great" distinguishes the site from the many hundreds of smaller ruins scattered across the Zimbabwe Highveld (Known as Zimbabwes) and 200 similar sites in southern Africa, such as Bumbusi in Zimbabwe and Manekweni in Mozambique, with Great Zimbabwe being the largest of these.

Established in 1926 is the oldest national park in Zimbabwe. The Matobo Hills were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. The area "exhibits a profusion of distinctive rock landforms rising above the granite shield that covers much of Zimbabwe".

The Matobo National Park forms the core of the Matobo or Matopos Hills, an area of granite kopjes (Rocky outcrops) and wooded valleys commencing some 35 kilometres south of Bulawayo the second largest city in southern Zimbabwe.

The Matobo Hills is an area of high botanic and fauna diversity San (Bushmen) lived in the hills about 2,000 years ago, leaving a rich heritage in hundreds of rock paintings, with 3,000 registered rock art sites at present.

Our clients' favourite lodges at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins

"Built in amongst the striking and picturesque Matobo Hills is Camp Amalinda. Each room is uniquely built around natural rock formations. "	"Lin, the hostess is just lovely. Rooms were all facing the stunning Matobo scenery and have very comfortable beds."	“We can highly recommand to stay in this lodge. The rooms are spatious and really nice designed. The view from the balcony was amazing! "