Great Zimbabwe National Monument (from Shona phrase "dzimba dzambabwe" meaning stone houses or venerated houses, in Bantu "sacred house" or "ritual seat of a king") is a World Heritage Site and one of Zimbabwe's main tourist attractions. The monument 28 km south of Masvingo, was recognised for its grandeur as early as the 16th century when German adventurer Carl Mauch made known its existence to the world. It is the largest and most significant ancient monument south of the Sahara. Archaeologists estimate that its development took place over at least two hundred years by Shona-speaking people who prospered between 12th and 15th centuries, and was abandoned because the large population had seriously depleted the environment and had to move elsewhere.

Spread over 720-hectares, it is an impressive array of dry stone structure made of hand carved granite blocks featuring chevron, herringbone and other intricate patterns. What remains is only the bare bones of an ancient city. The structures divide into three groups: -

The Acropolis Complex, a series of stone walled enclosures set among boulders at the top of an 80 m high hill. Early architecture of the Acropolis Complex differs dramatically from later developments, showing progress of building style and technique. Here one can see intricate patterns in the stonework.

The Great Enclosure - a massive wall 255m in circumference, 10m high and 5m wide in parts. It surrounds the Conical Tower. The Tower is 11 m tall and absolutely solid, its function is unknown, but believed by some to be a symbol of a granary. Fragments of soapstone bowls, porcelain, Arab glass and some gold have been found there.

The Valley Complex is where the Zimbabwe Bird, adopted as Zimbabwe's emblem was found by Harry Posselt. The Bird features in Shona mythology as mysterious and sacred. It is housed in the site museum. Here too glass beads and metal bangles were found as well as a 14th century coin from East Africa. It was in the Valley Complex that the ordinary people lived in high-density housing units out in the open.

Visit the Great Zimbabwe Museum on site to view interesting artifacts unearthed by archaeologists.

Mtirikwi Resort. (Formerly Kyle). Lake Mtirikwi was built originally to irrigate Triangle and Hippo Valley sugar estates in the south east of Zimbabwe. The road from Masvingo to Great Zimbabwe also feeds to hotels, lodges, and self-catering chalets along the Lakeshore.

Mutirikwi Recreation National Park borders the northern side of the Lake. Framed in a landscape of granite dwalas (whaleback) hills, the habitat ranges from open grassland and thorn scrub to indigenous woodland. National Parks has very attractive lodge accommodation, and a caravan and camping site. Reservations for lodges may be made at National Parks Central Booking Office in Harare.

The Park boasts more species of antelope than any other in Zimbabwe; there are Oribi, Sable, Nyala and greater Kudu to name a few. Wildebeest, ostrich, giraffe, warthog, and white rhino are also residents. A great way of enjoying animals and countryside is on horseback, which can be arranged at the Parks Office. A guide will be able to show you rock painting sites, especially Chamavara cave.

St Andrews Chapel situated above the Mutirikwi Dam wall. The Chapel, built by a former water bailiff in memory of his daughter, who was killed in a motor accident, contains seven different types of minerals mined in the Masvingo district. Aloes in surrounding gardens are beautiful in winter.

National Parks Mushandike Sanctuary west of Masvingo, and off the main road is for those who are looking for a quiet, tranquil destination. It is a landscape of small rock mounds (kopjes) with a dam. The only facilities here are caravan, camp and picnic sites.

There are Hotels and Lodges in and around Great Zimbabwe and Lake Mtirikwe.