Why go
- Ruins of an ancient/medieval city in southeast Zimbabwe.
- Served by Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE).
History
Great Zimbabwe was a city in the south-eastern hills of the modern country of Zimbabwe, near Masvingo. It was settled from around 1000 AD, and served as the capital of the Kingdom of Great Zimbabwe from the 13th century. It is the largest stone structure in precolonial Southern Africa. Major construction on the city began in the 11th century until the 15th century, and it was abandoned in the 16th or 17th century. The edifices were erected by ancestors of the Shona people, currently located in Zimbabwe and nearby countries. The stone city spans an area of 7.22 square kilometres (2.79 mi2). Population estimates vary. Earlier estimates suggest a peak population of around 20,000 people. A recent study using archaeological, ethnographic, and historical evidence, along with statistical modeling suggests that the site's population did not exceed 10,000 people. The Zimbabwe state centred on it likely covered 50,000 km². It is recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 16 airlines, 11 direct destinations
- Air Zimbabwe UM (732, 762) · 3 routes: Bulawayo, Johannesburg, Victoria Falls
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (787-8, DH8) · 3 routes: Addis Ababa, Lilongwe, Lusaka
- Air France AF (330, A330-200, 767-300, Embraer 190) · 2 routes: Lusaka*, Nairobi*
- Air Namibia SW (ER3) · 2 routes: Lusaka, Windhoek
- Kenya Airways KQ (767-300, Embraer 190, Embraer 170) · 2 routes: Lusaka, Nairobi
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (330, Embraer 190) · 2 routes: Lusaka, Nairobi*
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (787-8) · 2 routes: Addis Ababa*, Lusaka*
- South African Airways SA (A319, A320, 737-800, CRJ-200) · 2 routes: Durban*, Johannesburg
- Air Botswana BP (ATR 42) · 1 route: Gaberone
- British Airways BA (737-300, 734) · 1 route: Johannesburg*
- Delta Air Lines DL (330, A330-200) · 1 route: Lusaka*
- Egyptair MS (737-800) · 1 route: Dar Es Salaam
- Emirates EK (A340-300) · 1 route: Lusaka
- Scandinavian Airlines System SK (787-8) · 1 route: Lusaka*
- TAAG Angola Airlines DT (737-700) · 1 route: Lusaka
- Turkish Airlines TK (787-8) · 1 route: Lusaka*
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the southern-hemisphere year.
Milder and quieter, with better value.
The southern winter — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE); 12 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: HRE has direct flights to 11 destinations on 16 airlines (incl. Lusaka, Johannesburg, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Bulawayo…).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Republic of Zimbabwe, Africa. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.