Symbaoe - Beautiful Natures' Sculpture

South-east of Masvingo, on an open wooded plain surrounded by hills, the ruined city of Great Zimbabwe tells of the mysterious historical presence of an advanced and ancient African civilisation. Known around the 16th century as Symbaoe (signifying "court"), the walled city was the centre of the Monomatapa empire, whose influence extended over much of southern Africa. The huge
Monomatapa empire included the present-day states of Zimbabwe (whose name originated from the city's modern name) and Mozambique.

The city consists of three archaeologically distinct groups of structures; the Hill Complex (or the Acropolis), the Valley Complex and the Great Enclosure. The walls in all three groups were constructed using dry-stone techniques, the granite stones having to be carefully shaped so as to fit together precisely.

Significant portions of Great Zimbabwe's structures, including impressively tall towers and walls, remain standing to this day. Great Zimbabwe itself covers nearly 18km2 and may have housed as many as 18 000 inhabitants at its peak.

Considerable and unresolved debate has ensued over the causes of Great Zimbabwe's arising, the ethnicity of its builders and inhabitants, and its subsequent abandonment and ruin. The civilisation's architecture was extremely advanced for its time, especially by comparison with contemporary neighbouring civilisations, and the city was probably central to the gold trade in the region.

It may have been abandoned when the gold trade was no longer lucrative, or destroyed in conquest. A World Heritage Site since 1986, the ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe make a fascinating visit for anyone with half an interest in history. Do a bit of reading about it beforehand, though; the more you know, the more wonder and fascination you'll experience from a visit to this mysterious ruined city.

Along the boundary of Zambia and Zimbabwe, midway along its course to the Indian Ocean, the mighty Zambezi River falls 128 sheer metres to create the largest curtain of falling water on Earth. A full mile wide, the Victoria Falls are among the most spectacular waterfalls in the world, falling as they do into a jagging, slot-like ravine that allows you to view them face-on from the opposite bank.

The waterfall is called Mosi oa Tunya (the smoke that thunders) by the locals. Its spray is visible from 30km away, and you'll hear the thrilling and awe-inspiring rumble of the waterfall long before you reach the falls themselves.

In the rainy season (April and May) the Zambezi flows at a rate of up to 9 100m3/s. The Victoria Falls are an unbroken cascade of water, and the bottom of the ravine is obscured by a thick haze of spray and mist that's decorated by rainbows in the sunlight. At the height of the dry season just a few cataracts remain and you can see to the bottom of the jagged gorge. The Khoi people called the Cape Peninsula's flat-topped mountain Hoerikiwaggo - the mountain in the sea.

Victoria Falls offers many expeditions focused around the incredible natural wonder. You can don a raincoat for the spray and explore the waterfall's lush and beautiful surrounds, or you can take a canoe trip on the river upstream from the falls, a relatively placid expanse of water, home to hippopotami and crocodiles.

For the more adventurous, the Victoria Falls bungee jump was until recently the highest commercial jump in the world (the Bloukrans in South Africa is the current title-holder). Alternatively, you can fly a microlight over the falls, or go white-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge below the falls, braving the most thrilling commercially runnable rapids in the world.

Table Mountain

The Khoi people, who were the Cape Peninsula’s original inhabitants, called its flat-topped mountain Hoerikiwaggo - the mountain in the sea. Table Mountain is now the main attraction of the beautiful city of Cape Town, and the most famous icon (perhaps alongside Nelson Mandela) of South Africa worldwide.

Much more complex in shape than the famous front-on view implies, the mountain is actually part of a range that twists and buckles down the Cape Peninsula toward the dramatic Cape Point Nature Reserve. Numerous walks and trails crisscross the sides and top of the mountain, and a cable-car provides an easy ascent to the top, where the view of the peninsula and the city bowl is spectacular.

Table Mountain is rich in the unique vegetation of fynbos (literally fine bush), of which it has a staggering diversity. As many as 1 470 species can be found on the mountain, many of which are of the famous protea genus.

The mountain's most prevalent animals are rock hyraxes, or dassies, which look like bunny-sized brown guinea pigs and are, amazingly, closely related to the African elephant. 

Find out more exotic places in Malaysia and around the world from the friendly travel consultants at Tamimi Travel & Tours. It is also advisable to check and pre-book affordable accommodation to avoid disappointment.