Matobos National Park, Zimbabwe

History, culture, flora and fauna abound in the stunning Matobo Hills in Zimbabwe. Matobo Hills ('bald headed ones') granite outcrops are found 50 km from Bulawayo. It is home to both ancient and recent history. Here is Rhodes' grave at the world's view where one can have a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape.

The Hills were formed over 2000 million years ago with granite being forced to the surface, this has eroded to produce smooth 'whaleback dwalas' and broken kopjes, strewn with boulders and interspersed with thickets of vegetation.

The Hills cover an area of about 3100 square km, of which 440 square km is National Park, the remainder being largely communal land and a small proportion of commercial farmland. Part of the national park is set aside as a game park, which has been stocked with game including black and white rhinoceros. This covers some 100 square km of beautiful scenery including some spectacular balancing rocks and impressive views along the Mpopoma river valley.

Matobos National Park will appeal to all nature and wildlife lovers especially with its rare species of white rhino and black eagle. It is here where some of the best rock paintings done by hunter-gatherers can be found.