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Thursday, March 28, 2024
Destinations

5 Historical Sites You Must See In Zimbabwe

vicfallsVictoria Falls

Recently updated on March 27th, 2024 at 03:45 am

Zimbabwe has a rich history with remnants dating back centuries and archaeological structures only matched by the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Like many proud African nations, Zimbabwe maintains a strong connection with its ancient past. Here are 5 of the best historical sites in Zimbabwe.
Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls)
Known as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls form one of the most spectacular World Heritage Sites. The falls are about 1.7 kilometres wide and gush thousands upon thousands of litres of water into the gigantic chasm below every minute. The falls have garnered much attention over the centuries, and have been marvelled at by a diverse range of figures including early Zimbabwean missionaries and ancient tribes who conducted worship rituals at the site, as well as leading modern figures such as David Livingstone.
Ruins of Great Zimbabwe
Ancient ruins of prehistoric Great Zimbabwe. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are one of the best-known artifacts of African civilization formed in the centuries and millennia before the Industrial Revolution. Appealing to history buffs and thrill-seekers alike, these ruins are truly a wondrous spectacle to behold. Dating back to a great kingdom in the 11th century, these ruins are made entirely of hewn stone, and are held together with no mortar or other visible mechanisms at all. Instead, the whole structure remains upright seemingly through nothing but the sheer force of gravity and balance, with rock assembled upon rock fascinatingly. To behold the magnificent remains of this once great civilization, head on over to the Zimbabwean southern city of Masvingo, where the ruins lie a short way outside the center. Watch out for: numerous enclosure-like structures
Matopos Hills
The Matopos Hills/Matobo Hills are famous for their ancient rock paintings, generally attributed to ancient cave dwellers who lived in the land some 2000 years back. These paintings depict a civilization that left little in the way of written records, but some aspects of life in that era may be gleaned from the artwork itself. The Hills themselves have been enclosed in a stunning national park, a place which houses the remains of the great explorer Cecil Rhodes, too.
Khami Ruins
Found near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city, the Khami ruins and National Monument are relics of civilization in many ways similar to the one remembered at the Great Zimbabwe location. It features the stone walls enclosures of an ancient civilization and the cultural hallmarks of a great “mambo”, or king. The stone structures are terraced into multiple levels, albeit less well-preserved than those at the Masvingo-based Great Zimbabwe. However they remain unmissable, as they are made of complex and intricate stone-work, and their study has led to much progression of knowledge regarding the Stone-Age civilizations of old.
Batonga Museum

According to historical archives, the BaTonga peoples arrived in Zimbabwe in about AD 300. The BaTonga Community Museum contains historical and educational information about the culture and life of the BaTonga people. The museum is located in Binga on the shores of Lake Kariba. The BaTonga tribe had a culture focused around fishing and growing crops, along with hunting and gathering. This traditional way of life was largely disrupted by the construction of the Grand Lake Kariba, the nation’s largest lake, in 1956. The museum showcases the ways and life of this ancient group of people throughout the centuries.

Miriro Matema
the authorMiriro Matema
Born in Zimbabwe and living in South Africa, Miriro is a seasoned publishing editor and writer, having worked with leading brands in investment, business leadership and entrepreneurship. Passionate about Africa’s development, Miriro is also a dynamic marketing consultant with 10 years experience working with startups and large multinational corporations. With a heart for travel, Miriro spends her time discovering the nooks of crannies of Africa’s hidden gems, taking the roads less travelled, meeting the beautiful people that call Africa home while exploring their food and culture. Miriro is currently a writer with Byolife Travel and Gallivant Africa