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Rock Art of Zimbabwe July, 2028
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Day 0 - Harare
There are no direct longhaul flights into Harare, the best options are connecting via Johannesburg, or Ethiopian via Addis Ababa. Once we know where everyone is coming from, we'll decide whether to meet at Johanesburg and travel together from there, or everyone makes it individually into Harare.
Day 1 - Harare district
There are a number of rock art sites around the Lake Chivero (formerly Robert McIlwaine National Park) to the west of Harare, including the spectacular crocodile hunt panel. Further west there are some more well preserved paintings at Kentucky Farm and surroundings, visiting them will easily take a full day.
Day 2 & 3 Central Mashonaland
There are a number of important sites (Domboshawa, Chawadzimu, Chikupo) in Mashonaland 20 - 50km to the North of Harare. We will visit Domboshawa and Chawadzimu on the first day, Chikipo on the second day. We will spend one night at Bindura in a small local lodge, the only option in town, returning to Harare at the end of the second day.
Day 4 & 5 - Eastern Mashonaland
There are two clusters of major sites to the north east of Harare, the first about 80 kilometres away (Mucheka & Murehwa), the other a further 60-80 kilometres away (Ruchera, Gambarimwe, Charewa, etc.). We will spend a night at a lodge in Mutko, visiting the first cluster going, the second cluster the following day, returning to Harare by the evening.
Days 6 & 7 - Manicaland
One of Zimbabwe's finest sites, Diana's Vow lies about 200 kilometres to the south east of Harare near the Mozambique border, with a few lesser sites along the way and in the vicinity. Given the distance and the condition of the roads, a full day will be required to get there and see the site, sleeping at Rusape. The other major site of Manicaland, Muromo Farm is another 100 kilometres to the south, left for the second day, driving towards Masvingo via the Birchenough Bridge in the afternoon, spending two nights at a basic local lakeside lodge close to our target for the next day.
Day 8 - Dandabari
The Abbé Breuil recorded a very fine site, Dandabari (also known as Impey's cave) to the east of Masvingo (former Fort Victoria). It can be accessed till fairly close with our minibus, after the visit we will continue to another of Breuil's sites, Chamavara, before continuing to our hotel near Great Zimbabwe.
Day 9 - Great Zimbabwe
While not a rock art site, the great enclosure is one of the principal ancient monuments of the African continent, visiting it and the surrounding smaller satellites will easily take a whole day, spending two consecutive nights at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel, within walking distance of the ruins.
Day 10 - Chibi - Matopo Hills
The Abbé Breuil recorded a number of fine sites in the area of Chibi some 35 kilometres to the south west of Masvingo. The location of two are known, the third will require some searching in the rough area. In the afternoon we'll continue towards Bulawayo and the Matopo Hills.
Day 11 - 13 - Matopo Hills
The Matopo hills are an extremely rich concentration of sites both inside and outside the national park boundary. We will stay at the Gordon Park Scout Camp, offering basic rooms and facilities, but having the huge advantage of being inside the park (the only option). We will spend the first day visiting the more accessible sites (White Rhino, Silozwane, Nswatugi).
On the second day we'll make the 7km trek to Inanke cave, arguably THE finest rock art site in Zimbabwe. On the third day we'll leave the park in the morning and drive along the eastern edge to Glubahwe cave, then continue to the nearby Amadzimba Cave, which will require some trekking to reach. We will return to Bulawayo for the night.
Day 14 - Bulawayo
In the morning we will visit the ancient city of Khami near Bulawayo, while not as grandiose as Great Zimbabwe the remains are still quite spectacular. Our trip ends in Bulawayo, from here there are several daily flights to Johannesburg.
Learning from our 2025 experience, we will not drive to Victoria Falls, the road is in dismal condition and while there is some ongoing repair, I doubt it will be any better by the summer of '26. Thise who wish to see Victoria Falls may do so as an add-on, taking a flight via Harare. From Vic Falls there are numerous connections to Johannesburg, also Ethiopian flies to Addis Ababa.
For information on expected costs, planned dates and any further questions, please send me an email.
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