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Great Zimbabwe

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Historical site
—°4
Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)

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Great Zimbabwe is a monumental ruined city in southeastern Zimbabwe and served as the center of a powerful empire between the 11th and 15th centuries. The site is famous for its massive dry-stone walls, constructed without the use of mortar, which remain impressively preserved to this day. The city is divided into three main areas: the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure, and the Valley Complexes, each serving different social and political functions. At its peak, Great Zimbabwe is estimated to have housed up to 18,000 inhabitants and was a key hub in the gold and long-distance trade networks. Archaeological finds of Chinese porcelain and Persian beads confirm extensive trade links reaching as far as the Indian Ocean. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is the most significant archaeological monument in sub-Saharan Africa and gave its name to the modern state of Zimbabwe. Its construction methods testify to the advanced mathematical and architectural knowledge of the Shona culture of that era.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Aug, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C262524222017172023252626
Rain mm106103974814863193078129

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Great Zimbabwe is an ancient city ruin, largely open to the sky. Visitors can explore the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure, and the Valley Ruins.
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Typical hours
The site usually opens from early morning to late afternoon; hours may change seasonally. It is best to arrive early to allow enough time to explore the extensive ruins.
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Photography
Photography for personal use is allowed. Climbing on walls is prohibited for safety and preservation.
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Time needed
Allocate at least 2 hours to see the main areas. A more thorough visit including the museum could take half a day.
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Combine with
Combine with the nearby Lake Mutirikwi or the town of Masvingo. Many visitors also include Antelope Park or Kyle Recreational Park.
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Getting there
Access by car or taxi from Masvingo; the site is about 30 km from the town. There is parking at the entrance.
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Insider tip
Hire a local guide at the entrance for a deeper understanding of the ruins. Bring a hat and water as the site is exposed to sun.

Geography

Coordinates
-20.26670, 30.93330

Facts

  • The Great Enclosure's walls reach a height of 11 meters and a length of 250 meters.
  • 'Zimbabwe' is derived from the Shona term 'dzimba-dza-mabwe,' meaning 'houses of stone.'
  • The Conical Tower inside the Great Enclosure is a unique solid structure.
  • Abandoned in the mid-15th century, possibly due to overpopulation or resource depletion.
  • Soapstone bird carvings found at the site are now the national emblem of Zimbabwe.
  • The site covers approximately 7.22 square kilometers of land.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Lake MutirikwiLake Mutirikwi7 km · SEExplore →
Old Fort VictoriaOld Fort Victoria21 km · SEExplore →
Masvingo OrchardsMasvingo Orchards22 km · SEExplore →
Drakensberg Conservation CenterDrakensberg Conservation Center23 km · WExplore →
MashavaMashava56 km · SEExplore →
Bikita MineralsBikita Minerals63 km · NEExplore →
Triangle Sugar Estate and MillTriangle Sugar Estate and Mill92 km · NWExplore →
Lowveld Sugar PlantationsLowveld Sugar Plantations94 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Great Zimbabwe (4)

Great Enclosure🏺 historical

The Great Enclosure at Great Zimbabwe captivates with its massive dry-stone walls that reach up to eleven metres in height.

Mauch Ruins🏺 historical

The Mauch Ruins, named after the German explorer Karl Mauch, form part of the dry-stone Valley Complex at Great Zimbabwe.

Great Zimbabwe National Monument🏺 historical

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Great Zimbabwe is an expansive ruined city constructed as the centre of the historic Mutapa Empire.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins National Park🌿 nature

This nature reserve protects the extensive medieval dry-stone structures and the surrounding landscape.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How much time should one allocate for Great Zimbabwe?
Plan for about 3 to 4 hours to visit the ruins and the museum at a relaxed pace.
Is the site suitable for wheelchair users?
The terrain is very uneven and hilly, making it very difficult for wheelchair users.
What is the best time of year to visit?
The cooler months from May to September are the most pleasant for exploring the site.
Do you need a local tour guide?
A guide is highly recommended to better understand the fascinating history of the stone structures.
Is photography allowed in the ruins?
Yes, photography for personal use is permitted throughout the site.
Great Zimbabwe: where is it located?
Great Zimbabwe is located in Zimbabwe.
Great Zimbabwe: what is there to see?
Highlights include Great Enclosure, Mauch Ruins, Great Zimbabwe National Monument.
Great Zimbabwe: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Aug, Sep.
Great Zimbabwe: why is it worth visiting?
Great Zimbabwe is a monumental ruined city in southeastern Zimbabwe and served as the center of a powerful empire between the 11th and 15th centuries.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Masvingo — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Masvingo
Masvingo is the oldest colonial-era settlement in Zimbabwe and is famous for being the gateway to the Great Zimbabwe ruins.
Chiredzi — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Chiredzi
Chiredzi is the main town in the southeastern Lowveld and is synonymous with Zimbabwe's massive sugar cane industry.
Mashava — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Mashava
Mashava is a historic mining settlement west of Masvingo, primarily known for its past as a major center for asbestos production.
🗺️
Lake Mutirikwi
Zimbabwe's largest inland dam offers spectacular water views and is located near the historic Great Zimbabwe ruins.
Triangle — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Triangle
Triangle is a specialized company town in the southeastern Lowveld, entirely dedicated to the production and processing of sugar cane.

History & landmarks

Masvingo Civic Centre — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Masvingo Civic Centre
The hub of municipal administration in Zimbabwe's oldest colonial town.
Gonarezhou — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Gonarezhou
Gonarezhou means 'place of elephants' and is a rugged, remote park famous for its majestic red Chilojo Cliffs.

Nature

Lake Mutirikwi — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Lake Mutirikwi
A large reservoir near Masvingo.
Chiredzi River — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Chiredzi River
A river in the south-east, important for sugarcane.
Runde River — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Runde River
A tributary in the Gonarezhou National Park.
Nuanetsi River — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Nuanetsi River
A river in the south, part of the Limpopo basin.

More places

Old Fort Victoria — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Old Fort Victoria
One of the first forts built by the Pioneer Column in 1890.
Masvingo Orchards — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Masvingo Orchards
A large area for fruit cultivation near Masvingo.
Drakensberg Conservation Center — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Drakensberg Conservation Center
A wildlife conservation center in the region.
Bikita Minerals — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Bikita Minerals
Home to one of the world's largest known lithium deposits.
Triangle Sugar Estate and Mill — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Triangle Sugar Estate and Mill
A vast sugarcane plantation and processing facility in the Lowveld region.
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Lowveld Sugar Plantations
Large plantations for sugar cane cultivation in the southeast.
Chiredzi Wildlife Ranch — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Chiredzi Wildlife Ranch
A large ranch for conserving native wildlife.
Runde Forest — Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)
Runde Forest
Forest along the Runde River.