Known as Fort Victoria until 1982 (after the English Queen) the current name Masvingo refers to the famous walled enclosures close by. Within 28km of Masvingo are the Great Zimbabwe National Monument and the Kyle Recreational Park. Great Zimbabwe is a World Heritage site – the best-known of the 150 walled ruins that are scattered throughout the country, representing the rich historical and cultural heritage of the country.
Masvingo province has a number of attractions in addition to the Great Zimbabwe National Monument. In the east of the province is Gonarezhou National Park, part of the Gaza, Kruger and Gonarezhou Transfrontier National Park concept. Kyle Recreational Park, situated on the northern shores of Lake Mutirikwi, holds a variety of wildlife, including zebra, giraffe, white rhino, wildebeest, and many other antelope. Lake Mutirikwi, the largest man-made lake in Zimbabwe, is very popular for fishing and boating, and has a golf course. Queen Victoria Gardens, Shagashe Game Park, and Mushandike wildlife sanctuary are also popular destinations in Masvingo province.
The landscape in southern Zimbabwe is very dry and quite flat, interspersed with rounded granite mountains known as kopjes (pronounced “copies”) which are often quite smooth. Mopane trees dominate the savannah landscape, with occasional baobab trees. September is the prettiest month when Masvingo’s purple jacaranda trees and scarlet poinsettias are in full bloom, but tourism here is popular year-round.
Tours which pass through Zimbabwe can be found below
