Great Zimbabwe

Great Zimbabwe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the country's south, is one of Africa's most important and impressive ancient monuments, the vast stone capital of a powerful medieval kingdom that flourished from the eleventh to fifteenth centuries. Built entirely of granite blocks laid without mortar, its towering, curving walls, some ten metres high, and its mysterious conical tower are the largest ancient structures in sub-Saharan Africa. The ruins, which gave the modern nation its name, are a proud symbol of African civilisation and achievement.

What you actually see

• The Great Enclosure - the vast curving dry-stone walls and conical tower.
• The Hill Complex - the ancient royal acropolis on the granite kopje.
• The Valley Ruins - the scattered walls between the two.
• The site museum - the famed soapstone Zimbabwe Birds.

When to go

May to September, the cool dry season, for the most comfortable exploration on foot; the site is extensive and involves walking and some climbing to the hill complex, so cooler weather and an early start help. It pairs with a stop at nearby Lake Mutirikwi.

Honest expectations

It is a ruin of walls rather than intact buildings, so imagination and ideally a guide help bring the once-great city to life; it is also off the main tourist trail, in the south, requiring a dedicated trip. Its scale, the artistry of its mortarless stonework, and its immense historical significance as a great African kingdom, however, make it deeply rewarding and important.

Nearby

Lake Mutirikwi and the town of Masvingo are close by.