Matobo Hills

Matobo Hills (Matopos) is a granite landscape of rounded hills and valleys in south-central Zimbabwe, recognized for dense concentrations of rock formations and ancient rock art. The area is protected largely within Matobo National Park and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The terrain is dominated by thousands of weather-rounded granite kopjes and dramatic balancing boulders; many short hikes and lookout points give close-up views of these formations. Visitors also access numerous well-preserved San rock art panels and short walk-in galleries that display painted human figures and animals.

The hills have been occupied for millennia by hunter-gatherer peoples who left extensive rock art; later the area became important in colonial and postcolonial history, including the burial of Cecil Rhodes at a prominent hill called Malindidzimu. Over the 20th century the area was set aside as a protected park and wildlife reserve.

Situated roughly south of Bulawayo in Matabeleland South Province, the hills rise from the surrounding plateau and include a mix of wooded valleys and exposed granite summits within Matobo National Park.

• UNESCO World Heritage: Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for both cultural and natural values, noted for its rock art and unusual granite landforms.

What to See #

• Granite kopjes and balancing rocks: A granite kopje landscape containing thousands of rounded boulders, weathered balancing rocks and hilltops that provide panoramic views across the reserve.
• San rock art sites: A concentration of authentic San rock art panels and shelters with paintings showing humans and animals dating back thousands of years.
• Malindidzimu (Rhodes' Grave): The burial site and memorial of Cecil Rhodes, located on a prominent hill known locally as Malindidzimu or World's View.