Matobo hills - Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe)
This famous park is a famous tourist attractions of Zimbabwe and located
50 km from the town of Bulawayo spreading in an area of about 43,200 hectares. It
has many granite outcrops and the Bushmen (called San) who lived in these hills
some 2000 years ago, left behind a rich heritage in hundreds of rock paintings.
Some of the peaks, like Shabe and Shumba Sham, are considered so sacred that
merely to point at them is considered unlucky. There are round 700 known sites
with some 20.000 paintings. They date from the late Stone Age and the Iron Age,
the eldest from 13.000 years ago. The themes depicted are associated with
hunting and gathering.
The park is especially known for it’s extreme protection of the endangered rhino. he main attractions include Granite outcrops of rocks in spectacular formations, burial site of Cecil John Rhodes, Rhino and other wildlife. Ovens and other historic artifacts have been found in the many crevices and caves. The area around the Matobo hills are full of hidden caves, sacred places and Bushman paintings. Some giant boulders in this area have weathered to create tremendous sculptures, which balance precariously in defiance of gravity.
Matobo was proclaimed a World Heritage Site in 2003 for having the highest concentration of rock art in southern African, white rhino and the highest concentration of black eagles in the world. The very specific ecology of this area (moist and rocky) leads to a wide range of flora and fauna The Matobo hills are the final resting place of the controversial British Imperialist Cecil John Rhodes, who requested to be buried here. This land is sacred ground. Amongst the cracks and crevices of the Matobo hills is the Ndebele’s rain shrine to Mwari, the god of their ancestors.
Archaeological digs indicate humans have had a presence here for over 40,000 years. This is also one of the few parks in Africa where you can actually get out of your vehicle at designated spots approach the wildlife. The park boasts the largest concentration of raptors and leopard in an area of its size in the world.
WEATHER:
In Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe - The winters are cool and dry (April to August), Summer season if hot and wet (November to March)
