Safari Day 5 - in to Zimbabwe

It was another early morning as we packed up our tents and tried to beat the rush to the Zimbabwe border. It took over 2 hours here, since there was only one immigration officer able to issue visas (nearly all 17 of us needed them) and he had to hand write them, along with about 4 other forms. I didn't mind the wait too much, but I did mind the mosquitos hanging around. With the visas issued, it was an easy drive into Zimbabwe and on to Masivingo. Here we had the afternoon to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. It is an ancient complex of ruins covering almost 1,800 acres. The complex was built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries by Shona cattlemen, and may have housed as many as 40,000 people at one time. The stone walls, up to 6 meters thick and 12 meters high, are built of granite blocks without the use of mortar. There is a complex situated on top of a hill, and is surrounded by other structures and walls below. The main hill complex housed the king and his 200 wives. It was all like a medeival fortress. Archaeologists have found ancient tools, weapons, jewelry and pottery here, indicating that this was the largest ancient civilisation south of the Sahara. It was unlike any of the other ruins we've ever been to or read about. I was amazed that I had never even heard of them, even though they're an important find in regards to the history of man.

Back at the campsite, Nige and a group of others played a game of soccer while I helped out Benson with dinner (I was on cook's help for the day). We enjoyed another great meal before sitting around the campfire with some beers...again.