Eminently Eve.
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Click on the subheadings below to jump to their contents:
- Introduction
- Contact details for enquiries & charges
- Directions, road condition & the recommended type of vehicle.
- The hike, views & experience at the Hill Complex
- The Great enclosure & conical tower
- Other places of interest
- Conclusion
NB: It is strongly advised to read all the reviews on this site in their entirety to ensure that the destinations really suit all your needs & preferences.
Introduction
If I’m to describe the feeling I get each time I visit Great Zimbabwe Ruins with one word I would say “empowered”… and probably “inspired” too. There is no amount of words that can ever replace the actual experience of physically visiting this world recognised masterpiece. I hope that in the near future you make Masvingo your holiday destination of choice & pass through this mentally stimulating haven…
Contact details for enquiries & charges
We decided to visit the ruins as a day trip & we did not need to have a booking. They open from 8am to 5pm and sometimes 9am to 5pm. Try by all means to make it a point to arrive within that time frame & not later. I witnessed one family being denied entry for late arrival, understandably so, because those rules are there to maintain order & protect everyone. It was nevertheless still sad to witness. For enquiries you can contact them on +263242774208/752876 or email address natmus@nmmz.co.zw. The entry fee is $5 per adult for locals (payable in rtgs at bank rate) and $15 per adult for international visitors. There is no extra charge for the vehicle.
I would also recommend touring the ruins with a guide as they have a wealth of information that will help you put things better into perspective. The modern day has allowed us to have a vast amount of this information in the palm of our hands though so if funds do not permit, you can still benefit a lot by touring the ruins even without a guide. There are also a good number of sign posts strategically placed around this national monument’s paths so not having a tour guide is by no means a limitation.
Directions, road condition & the recommended type of vehicle.
Great Zimbabwe Ruins is slightly shy of 30 km from Masvingo CBD. From the CBD, you take the Beitbridge road A4 where you drive for about 6 km or so and come to a slip road where you will turn left. Unfortunately the sign post that used to be there is not there anymore (hopefully it will be put back up soon) so I recommend that you rely on google maps to warn you about this left turn off. Proceed on this road for about 24 km and you will find Great Zimbabwe Ruins on the right side. Again, using google maps will reduce the chances of driving past the ruins’ entry point. The roads are in relatively good condition so any vehicle would be suitable to use. Once at the ruins, you are required to park your vehicle and explore on foot.
The hike, views & experience at the Hill Complex
After making our payments we decided to start with the Hill complex which is situated on top of quite a stunning hill. There are two route options to take for the hike, one which is quite steep but shorter (350 m) and is called the ancient path. The second one is not as steep but longer (460 m) and is referred to as the modern path. It is important to not carry heavy and unnecessary bags or other items, wear comfortable shoes which are suitable for hiking and also bring a hat, shades and some water to drink. This is to ensure that you are comfortable and can actually only focus on enjoying the ruins and the views.
We chose the ancient path for both the ascent and descent and in no time we had reached the top of the hill. The first thing that grabbed my attention while hiking is how thin the paths are. One person can barely fit and that architectural design is said to have been chosen for security reasons. The seamless incorporation of the naturally standing rocks in the construction is also impressive. I wish we could learn from that in this modern life, that bulldozing every single tree & rock is not always the way to go. It just causes extra & unnecessary damage to the environment.
When we got to the ruins it immediately crossed my mind that I was actually walking on the same paths that at some point, close to a thousand years ago, only powerful royal Kings & some of the greatest minds to ever exist in this world walked… Tell me the fact that ‘these people just so happen to be Zimbabweans’ does not do something to your esteem as a Zimbabwean?!
We walked around, learnt so much and of course allowed myself to get consumed by the amazingly remarkable views. The King was definitely on to something when he chose this hill. Yes! Security reasons might have been there but surely, who does not want to wake up to such a mind blowing view?… From there we then went to the Great enclosure where the famous conical tower is found.
The Great enclosure & conical tower
Funny enough when I visited the first time, I never got the chance to visit this section of the ruins because of time constraints. So you can imagine my excitement to finally see the conical tower and majestic walls standing without cement or any mortar. When we walked to this enclosure it was late afternoon so the weather was cool with a beautiful breeze. To say the walls are phenomenal is an understatement, how they managed to cut the rocks to take shape and ensured a smooth outcome during that time is beyond me. 2022 we still come across crooked houses which develop cracks within a year of construction so I was amused. The precision of the conical tower, every edge, every ridge, is really just exceptional. Did I mention that these structures have no drop of mortar in them… let that sink in!
By the time we were done exploring the great enclosure it was quite late so we did not go to the replica village or the museum which I can’t wait to visit soon.
Other places of interest include:
- The Valley complex/ replica village
- The museum
Conclusion
The biggest thing that I personally take away from visiting the Great Zimbabwe Ruins each time I do is a boost of confidence. Confidence in the fact that I can totally create and do some absolutely phenomenal things with my life because if my ancestors could do it with such limited resources, what excuse do I have considering how much is at my disposal. Greatness is already in our veins, the only limiting factor would be our brain and we should not allow it to prevent us from reaching our fullest potential.
I hope that Masvingo is your next holiday destination and while in the province, that you do visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. I promise, you will be amazed! Other places to visit in Masvingo include Mutirikwi (Kyle) Recreational Park & Sikato Lion Park.
Remember to always have a little intimacy in your life, & as always I’m talking about Intimacy With Nature 🙂
