The Sunday Mail
Harmony Agere recently in Masvingo
While most travellers prefer summer adventures, this group of tourists from all over the world last week braved the chilling weather to feel the charm and glamour of the imposing Great Zimbabwe – Pictures by Believe Nyakudjara
THE winter season has never been an ideal time to embark on adventurous journeys as temperatures are usually at their lowest and can easily spoil any revelry.
This detail is best explained by world tourism trends showing that travel gigs are usually lower during this time of the year in most countries except for attractions thriving on cold spells such as the Himalayas.
As such, most people who wish to explore world beauties normally do so during summer time.
However, this does not seem to be the case as far as iconic resorts and travelling enthusiasts are concerned. Indications are that those with travelling zest can defy punishing weather conditions to embark on exploration of worthy world wonders.
This was simply the case when Sandra Friggstad, a visiting Canadian tourist, along with 19 other travellers from various countries across the world toured the Great Zimbabwe Monument last week.
This group of men and women from countries like Northern Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States, China and South Africa did not seem to care about the chilling windy weather when they set for the medieval palace.
And their efforts were to be greatly rewarded by the stunning charm of the great stone structures which imposingly sit on 722 hectares of land about 27 km from the city of Masvingo.
With its walls built out of balancing stone bricks without grout, the ancient city’s glamour proved too much to resist for Friggstad and her fellow travellers.
It is these qualities that make the monument one of the best places to relax and refresh in the country.
Those saving for a summer holiday may need not to look yonder than the ancient kingdom as it has the grit to impress in all circumstances, even during winter.
The place has become fit for family holidays too as it is now being surrounded with affordable accommodation at the site and in Masvingo city centre.
Its many impressive aspects which include the Hill Complex and the Great Enclosure are undisputed pull factors. The Hill Complex which is believed to have served as the king’s chambers in the ancient kingdom of the Rozvi people was built on the mast of a very steep hill.
It is on this hill where one can get the full view of the whole ancient kingdom.
After making their way to this hilltop, the group of tourists could only wonder how a medieval society had managed to blend such fine stonework with giant rocks from the foot of the hill right to its top.
After spending some moments on the Hill Complex and taking photographs, they then disembarked with a sense of victory and achievement after having made it to the top.
Their next stop was briefly at the dummy village where they engaged in traditional songs and dance with the local people before proceeding to the Great Enclosure.
What puzzled them there was how the stone walls, standing at about 11 meters high and running a circumference of close to 250 meters, had survived time without mortar holding them together.
The Great Enclosure arguably holds all the glamour of the entire monument and one only needs a visit there to feel it.
After the tour, the team could not hide the awe in their eyes.
“The tour was just marvellous and I enjoyed it, when I go back home (Canada) I will be telling friends and relatives about how great the view here is,” Friggstad said.
“However I must admit that before coming here (Zimbabwe) I never knew about Great Zimbabwe and I never knew it is this awesome.”
Another tourist, Mr Scott Moore from Northern Ireland admitted to have been amazed by the Great Zimbabwe as he had only heard stories but had not visited it before.
“Great Zimbabwe is a wonderful place for any adventurous person, I have enjoyed my time here and I hope that I will be coming back soon,” he said.
For Melissa Dahl, a history teacher in the United States, the visit could not have been well fulfilling for any person in the tour than her. She said she has always taught her students about Great Zimbabwe but never had that natural understanding of it.
“I think the tour has been more fulfilling to me because I teach history and I have taught my students about Great Zimbabwe; however I think from now on I will be able to do that from a more informed position.”
National Museums and Monuments Director for Southern Region, Lovemore Mandima, said although the monument is not yet marketed to its full potential; the numbers of tourist visiting are increasing.
“The numbers are quite impressive, tourists have been increasing but we think it could be better if we put more effort in marketing the monument,” he said.
The experience of the Great Zimbabwe is priceless and it is from this understanding that this writer encourages all those who are planning a holiday but are not yet sure about where to go to visit this great monument.
Entrance packages for both children and adult tourists range between $5 and $25 per person.
