Great Zimbabwe Day Trip: UNESCO World Heritage Ruins
Drive four hours south to the ruins of medieval Great Zimbabwe — the largest ancient stone structure in sub-Saharan Africa and inspiration for the country's name
- 1
Hill Complex Ascent
Climb the steep granite hill to the earliest construction of Great Zimbabwe — watchtower and royal court overlooking the surrounding valley
- 2
Large enclosure walls
Walk around the huge elliptical enclosure whose dry stone walls reach 11 meters high and 5 meters thick, built without mortar around 1200-1400 AD.
- 3
Conical Tower Mystery
The purpose of the solid conical stone tower inside the great enclosure is still debated - symbolic granary, royal pronouncement or astronomical marker
- 4
Valley Ruins Complex
The residential area of the ancient city where up to 18,000 people once lived, spread over granite kopjes and valley floors
- 5
Site Museum and Zimbabwe Birds
The eight carved soapstone Zimbabwe birds recovered from the hilltop shrine are now Zimbabwe's national symbol — museum displays original
- 6
Lake Mutirikwi Sunset Drive
The man-made lake below Great Zimbabwe fills at sunset with herons, hippos and silhouettes of granite kopjes — a perfect end to the day