The Great Zimbabwe Day Trip – from Harare
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe bear a unique testimony to the lost civilisation of the Shona tribe, between the 11th and 15th centuries. The ruins are the second largest ruins in Africa after the Pyramids of Egypt, and the largest South of the Sahara. Great Zimbabwe National Monument is approximately 40 km from Masvingo Town.
• Mode of Transport from Harare: Road
• Distance: Approximately 338km one way (approx. 4hrs).
• Time of Departure: Duration of tour (going and return): 12-13hrs
Depart Harare 0600hrs. Arrive in Masvingo approx. 10:00hrs. we stop briefly in Masvingo for refreshments. We drive to the monument approx. 40 km.
We can go straight to the Monument on arrival in Masvingo Town or stop briefly to buy food at any takeaway restaurant in town. Lunch can be bought at Great Zimbabwe hotel just a km away from the ruins. Ideally doing Monument Tour before lunch is advisable.
The Tour of The Great Zimbabwe Monument comprises of:
Climbing up the Hill Complex
Visit the Museum
Tour the Great Enclosure and the Valley Ruins.
• Departure, soon after the tour.
Note: there is option of sleeping over near the ruins and leave the next day. (Accommodation is available at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel and Lodge at the Ancient City at own cost).
• Drop at the hotel on arrival in Harare.
The Great Zimbabwe Monument (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The name of the country, Zimbabwe, is derived from the National Monuments of Great Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe means big house made of stones. The entire Zimbabwe nation has identified with this historically symbolic ensemble and has adopted as its emblem the steatite bird – the Zimbabwe Bird, which may have been a royal totem.
The ruins of Great Zimbabwe bear a unique testimony to the lost civilisation of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument is approximately 40 km from Masvingo and located in the lowveld at an altitude of some 1100 m in a sparsely populated region of the Bantu/Shona people. The property, built between 1100 and 1450 AD, extends over almost 800 ha and is divided into three groups: the Hill Ruins, the Great Enclosure and the Valley Ruins.
