Matobo Hills

The Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site south of Bulawayo, are one of Zimbabwe's most atmospheric and spiritual landscapes, a mystical wilderness of ancient granite. Over aeons, erosion has sculpted the rock into a surreal jumble of smooth domes, whalebacks and impossibly balanced boulders. Sacred to the local people, the hills shelter thousands of years of San rock paintings in their caves, the grave of Cecil Rhodes at a viewpoint called World's View, and a park that is one of the best places in Africa to track rhino on foot.

History

The granite of the hills was forced to the surface more than 2 billion years ago and has eroded into whaleback domes and boulder-strewn kopjes; the name Matobo is said to come from the Lozwi or, by another tradition, from King Mzilikazi, who joked that the bald domes should be called matobo, bald heads. The national park, the oldest in Zimbabwe, was established in 1926 as Rhodes Matopos National Park, a bequest from Cecil Rhodes, and parts of its original area to the south and east were later given over to settlement as the Khumalo and Matobo communal lands in a compromise with local people. In 2003 the Matobo Hills became a World Heritage Site for their profusion of distinctive rock landforms (Wikipedia, Matobo National Park).

What's there

• The balancing rocks - the surreal granite domes and boulders.
• The rock art - the ancient San paintings in the caves.
• World's View - the panoramic viewpoint and Rhodes's grave.
• The rhino tracking - the chance to track rhino on foot.

When to go

May to September, the cool dry season, for comfortable walking and clear views; the landscape is striking year-round, turning green after the rains. The rhino tracking and rock-art caves are best explored with a knowledgeable local guide.

Practical notes

It is more about atmosphere, landscape, ancient art and spirituality than big-game safari, so it suits those drawn to culture and scenery, though the rhino tracking on foot is a genuine thrill. A guide greatly enriches the rock art and history. The colonial figure of Rhodes buried here is a contested part of the story. The balancing-rock scenery and painted caves, though, are magical and unique.

Nearby

The city of Bulawayo and Great Zimbabwe are within reach.

Key facts