Private7 days
Three World Heritage Sites, One Journey
Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One unmissable journey.
From $3,200 per person
View this trip
Zimbabwe · UNESCO World Heritage Site
Great Zimbabwe
The UNESCO-listed stone capital that gave Zimbabwe its name.
Great Zimbabwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering nearly 80 hectares, with monumental dry-stone architecture built and occupied by Shona communities between the 11th and 15th centuries.
Its gold and ivory reached Persia, India and China; their beads, ceramics and glass came back and have been dug from this soil. The country is named after this place. Stand inside the Great Enclosure at sunrise and the name makes sense.
“If you visit one cultural site in Zimbabwe, this is it. Stand inside the Great Enclosure at sunrise and you understand the country.”
Best April–September 4 experiences UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Guest review
What guests say about Great Zimbabwe.
A named guest, a real trip and a travel date.
I cried at sunrise on the Hill Complex. Africa pre-colonial, in stone, telling you what it was. This is essential travel.
Naomi
Lagos via London · 10-night cultural pilgrimage, May 2025
Why ZimTravellers
One person plans your trip. He lives here.
ZimTravellers is not a call centre. Josh Elliott — fifth-generation Zimbabwean, owner of Matobo Hills Lodge — writes every itinerary himself, drives these roads, and answers every email within one working day. That changes what a trip here can be.
One local point of contact
You plan directly with Josh from first enquiry to the trip itself — one point of contact, whether the day is run by our own team or a hand-picked local operator.
Generations deep
Five generations in Zimbabwe. The guides, the border posts, the fuel stops — known first-hand, not from a supplier manual.
Direct WhatsApp line
WhatsApp Josh before, during and after the trip. Office hours Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 and Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT — replies within one working day.
Stories, not schedules
Routes built around what you want from the country — not a fixed departure sheet with your name added.
Tell Josh what you’d want from a few days in Great Zimbabwe and he’ll write you a route. No template, no commission desk.
Make an enquirySignature experiences
What Great Zimbabwe does best.
Great Zimbabwe
The Great Enclosure
The largest dry-stone monument in sub-Saharan Africa. Walls 11 metres high, no mortar, granite the colour of old gold at sunrise.
Great Zimbabwe
The Hill Complex
The royal residence on the granite peak. Steep climb but the view from the top explains the kingdom.
Great Zimbabwe
The Conical Tower
Five metres high, dry-stone, the most famous structure in the complex. Its purpose is still debated.
Great Zimbabwe
Site Museum
The Great Zimbabwe Birds — eight soapstone fish-eagle sculptures excavated from the site. The national emblem of Zimbabwe.
Recommended accommodation
Where we stay in Great Zimbabwe.
A short planning list, not a price promise. We confirm the right property, room and current rate for your dates before you commit.
Lodge at the Ancient City
Great Zimbabwe stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →Great Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe Hotel
Great Zimbabwe stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →
Speak to Josh
Plan your Great Zimbabwe trip.
Tell me your dates, your party, and what you want from Great Zimbabwe. I’ll reply with a route and honest advice on what to skip.
Make an enquiry
WhatsApp Josh
+263 77 587 6661 · Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 · Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT · Closed Sundays & public holidays
“I answer every email here personally — within one working day.”
Ways to travel
How do you want to do this?
Tailor-made
Your dates, your pace, your rooms. Josh writes the route from scratch around what you want from the country — most guests travel this way.
On the map
The south-central heartland.
Drive from Harare: four and a half hours. From Bulawayo: five. Charter flights can route through Masvingo when the itinerary calls for it.
- Combine with Khami RuinsExplore trips →
- Combine with BulawayoExplore trips →
- Combine with Matobo HillsExplore trips →
Every marker is a link — tap a region to open its page. Hold Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) and scroll, or use the buttons, to zoom.
When to travel
Twelve months of granite light.
JAN○
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● Peak◐ Shoulder○ Green season
April–September — peak. Cool mornings, clear skies, and the low golden light the stonework was built for.
October–March — hot. Walk the site early or late and sit out the midday.
All trips
Every Great Zimbabwe experience.
10 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Zimbabwe Highlands, Great Zimbabwe, Matobo & Hwange
Rhinos, mountains, stone cities and elephants — overland
From $6,800 ppView trip →
7 Days · Private (2–8 guests)
Three World Heritage Sites, One Journey
Three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One unmissable journey.
From $3,200 ppView trip →
5 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Mountains, Mist & Ancient Stone
The Eastern Highlands through to Great Zimbabwe
From $2,300 ppView trip →
Full-Day Tours · Max 12 guests
Great Zimbabwe — The Ruins That Named a Nation
The stone city behind the country's name
From $95 ppView trip →
No trips match those filters here — tell Josh what you’re after and he’ll build it.
Frequently asked
Great Zimbabwe, answered.
Full day on site. 1.5 hours Great Enclosure, 1.5 hours Hill Complex, 45 min Site Museum, lunch.
Possible but exhausting. We recommend 1 night near the site for sunrise + sunset photography.
The Great Enclosure is flat and accessible. The Hill Complex requires a 30-min uphill walk.
Sunrise — golden light on granite, no crowds, animals (impala, baboon) on the paths.
Strongly yes. The history is complex and the storytelling transforms the visit. Licensed guides at the gate.
Plan your trip
The house of stone that named a country.
Tell Josh your dates and your party. You’ll get a route, straight answers, and a reply within one working day.