Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Great Zimbabwe National Monument: History & Culture

Discover Great Zimbabwe National Monument

Great Zimbabwe National Monument is the stone-walled ruin of a medieval city in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. It stands about 20 km from Masvingo, the provincial capital and the nearest town. The site gives the country its name. This page covers what you can see, the history behind it, and where to base yourself.

Quick facts

• Country: Zimbabwe
• Province: Masvingo Province
• Nearest town: Masvingo, about 20 km away
• Nearest airport: Masvingo airstrip. It is small, and scheduled service is unconfirmed.
• Main sights: Hill Complex, Great Enclosure, Conical Tower, Valley Complex, Great Zimbabwe Museum
• Time to allow: most visitors spend 2 to 4 hours on site

The history of Great Zimbabwe

Settlement here began around 1000 AD. The main period of construction ran from the 11th to the 15th centuries, and the city was at its peak in the 13th to 15th centuries. It was abandoned in the 16th or 17th century.

The builders were the ancestors of the Shona, probably descended from the Gokomere culture. Portuguese records say locals called buildings like these ‘Symbaoe’, meaning ‘court’. From that word the site gave Zimbabwe its name.

Finds at the site include Chinese porcelain, Arabian coins and gold ornaments. They point to trade over long distances. Eight soapstone Zimbabwe Birds have also been found, and they probably represent the bateleur eagle.

Great Zimbabwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1986 under criteria i, iii and vi.

What to see at the monument

Hill Complex

This is the oldest part of the site and dates from the 11th to 13th centuries.

Great Enclosure

Built in the 13th to 15th centuries, the Great Enclosure has walls up to about 11 m high.

Conical Tower

The Conical Tower is about 9 m high and 5.5 m in diameter.

Valley Complex

The Valley Complex has an Upper and a Lower part. Both date from the 14th to 16th centuries.

Great Zimbabwe Museum

The museum sits next to the hotel and the monument.

Planning your visit

A guide is optional. A guided tour takes about 2 hours and costs roughly $10 per person. Confirm current opening hours and entry fees with the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ) before you travel.

Getting there

Masvingo is about 292 km south of Harare. It sits on the road to Beitbridge, which makes it a natural southern gateway. A route from Harare through Masvingo to Beitbridge can include Great Zimbabwe, along with Lake Mutirikwi and the game parks nearby. Check current flight options to Masvingo before you plan around them.

Things to do nearby

• Take a guided tour of the monument.
• Go boating, fishing or on a sunset cruise on Lake Mutirikwi.
• Look for game at Kyle Recreational Park and Shagashe Game Park.
• Ask the Great Zimbabwe Hotel about traditional dancers, which are available on request.

Where to stay

Hotels and lodges

• Great Zimbabwe Hotel (African Sun): about 800 m from the monument, a 10-minute walk. It has a pool, a tennis court and wifi.
• Lodge at the Ancient City: thatched bungalows built in the monument’s architectural style, a 5 to 10 minute drive away.
• Mayfair Lakeside Resort: 10 doubles and 3 family units, 6 km from the monument.
• Mutirikwi Lakeshore Lodges: thatched rondavels, about 10 minutes’ drive away.
• Clevers Lakeview Resort: 8 catered rooms and 9 communal rooms, about 10 minutes’ drive away.

Self-catering and camping

• Kyle Recreational Park lodges: more than 10 National Parks lodges with 1 to 3 bedrooms and equipped kitchens. They are described as basic but well kept, and are about 60 km from the monument.
• Clevers Lakeview Resort: also has 4 self-catering lodges.
• Romelda Lakeside Retreat: tented, camping and glamping options, about 30 km from Masvingo.
• Hippo Creek Lodge: 20 lodges plus camping, about 25 km from Masvingo.
• NMMZ on-site accommodation: lodges, dorms and camping.

Check current prices, availability and what is included directly with each property.

Where to eat

The restaurant and bar at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel are open to day visitors, so you can eat there without staying overnight.

Photo: Fanny Schertzer, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.