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The Mashonaland provinces contain dozens of significant rock art sites, from easily accessible caves near Harare to remote treasures in the northern districts. These sites complement the famous Matobo collection, often featuring unique subjects and exceptional preservation.
Overview Distribution Province Notable Sites Accessibility Harare Area Domboshava, Ngomakurira, Lake Chivero Easy Mashonaland Central Chikupo, Zombepata, Thetford Moderate-Difficult Mashonaland East Various smaller sites Variable Mashonaland West Lake Chivero area, Chinhoyi Easy-Moderate
Major Sites Domboshava The most accessible major rock art site in Zimbabwe.
Location 30 km north of Harare Access Easy - paved road, short walks Highlights Multiple painted shelters, granite dome Time Needed 2-4 hours
Full Domboshava Guide → Chikupo Rock Art Shelter One of Zimbabwe’s most exceptional rock art sites, featuring rare “formlings” - enigmatic shapes thought to represent shamanic visions.
What Makes Chikupo Special:
Formlings - Rare oval/kidney-shaped forms found almost nowhere elseTrance imagery - Classic depictions of shamanic transformationSuperimposition - Multiple layers spanning thousands of yearsPreservation - Protected overhang keeps paintings vivid
The Formlings:
These mysterious shapes are among the most debated images in southern African rock art:
Oval or kidney-shaped outlines
Often with internal patterns
May represent:
Bee swarms/honeycombs
Entoptic phenomena (trance visions)
Body maps
Unknown spiritual concepts
Location Guruve District, Mashonaland Central Access Remote - 4x4 recommended Guide Essential Permission Required from NMMZ Time Full day trip from Harare
Zombepata Cave Home to some of the finest and most unusual rock art in Zimbabwe.
Exceptional Features:
Best formlings in Zimbabwe - Multiple examplesRare animal subjects:
Porcupines (very unusual in rock art)
Ostriches
White zebras
Female kudu (usually males depicted)
Birds in brown and white - Uncommon coloringExcellent preservation
Art Details: Subject Notes Formlings Among the finest examples known Kudu Including rare female depictions Porcupine Extremely rare - one of few known Ostrich Unusual for this region Human figures In various poses
Location Guruve District, north of Harare Access Remote, requires planning Distance from Harare ~150 km Difficulty Moderate hike to site Permission Check with NMMZ
Thetford Game Reserve Rock Art A remarkable site known for:
Pristine paint quality - Among the best-preserved in ZimbabweInnovative composition - Artists used natural rock featuresTrance scene - First known use of rock surface in compositionGame reserve setting - Combined wildlife and rock art
Unique Features:
The Thetford paintings are notable because the San artists deliberately incorporated a natural physical feature of the granite rock surface into their trance scene composition - a technique rarely documented elsewhere.Location Thetford Game Reserve, Mashonaland Central Access Through game reserve Permission Contact reserve management Combined With Wildlife viewing
Lake Chivero Rock Art The shores and hills around Lake Chivero contain several rock art sites:
Sites Include:
Cave paintings on granite kopjes
Shelters overlooking the lake
Combined with wildlife viewing opportunities
Advantages:
Easy day trip from Harare
Combine with game viewing
Multiple sites in one area
Good facilities at Lake Chivero Recreational Park
Explore Lake Chivero → Ngomakurira The sacred mountain also contains rock art:
Multiple painted shelters
Combined with spectacular geology
Challenging but rewarding hike
Drum rocks and spiritual significance
Full Ngomakurira Guide → Minor Sites Diana’s Vow (Rusape Area) A small but significant site near Rusape featuring:
Well-preserved paintings
Accessible location
Historical research importance
Named after early researcher
Makumbe Cave (Mutare Area) Remote cave with:
Good paintings
Atmospheric setting
Challenging access
Requires local guide
Nyangwe Fort Area In the Eastern Highlands:
Rock art combined with Nyanga ruins
Part of broader Nyanga heritage complex
Multiple sites in scenic highlands
Planning Your Visit Accessibility Guide Site From Harare Road Type Difficulty Guide Needed Domboshava 30 km Tar Easy Recommended Ngomakurira 40 km Tar + dirt Moderate Recommended Lake Chivero 35 km Tar Easy Optional Chikupo 150 km Tar + rough Difficult Essential Zombepata 150 km Tar + rough Difficult Essential Thetford 120 km Tar + reserve Moderate Required
Suggested Itineraries Day Trip from Harare:
Domboshava or Lake Chivero rock art
Easy, no special arrangements needed
Weekend Rock Art Tour:
Day 1: Domboshava morning, Ngomakurira afternoon
Day 2: Lake Chivero area sites
Extended Rock Art Expedition:
Day 1: Harare to Guruve area
Day 2: Chikupo and Zombepata (with guide)
Day 3: Thetford Game Reserve
Day 4: Return via Domboshava
Permissions and Guides Easy Access Sites (no permission needed):
Domboshava
Ngomakurira
Lake Chivero
Permission Required:
Chikupo - Contact NMMZ
Zombepata - Contact NMMZ
Thetford - Contact reserve
Private land sites - Ask locally
How to Arrange:
Contact National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe (NMMZ)
Allow 1-2 weeks for arrangements
Guides can often be arranged through NMMZ
Local tour operators may assist
Conservation Notes Mashonaland rock art faces several threats:
Threat Status Impact Vandalism Moderate Graffiti at accessible sites Development Low Rural areas largely undeveloped Farming Low Some sites on farmland Weather Ongoing Natural deterioration Fire Moderate Bush fires damage sites
How You Can Help:
Report vandalism to NMMZ
Don’t touch paintings
Support guide employment
Share site locations responsibly
Pay entrance fees
Comparing Regions Factor Mashonaland Matobo Hills Number of Sites Dozens 3,000+ Density Scattered Concentrated Access Variable Mostly easy Unique Features Formlings Sheer quantity Tourism Low Established Crowds Rare Can be busy
Why Visit Mashonaland:
Unique subjects (formlings, rare animals)
Fewer tourists
Close to Harare
Exceptional preservation at some sites
Different character from Matobo
Hidden Treasures While Matobo gets the UNESCO recognition, Mashonaland’s rock art sites offer unique experiences you won’t find elsewhere. The formlings at Chikupo and Zombepata are among the most mysterious images in African rock art - worth the extra effort to see.
The Mashonaland provinces contain dozens of significant rock art sites, from easily accessible caves near Harare to remote treasures in the northern districts. These sites complement the famous Matobo collection, often featuring unique subjects and exceptional preservation.
One of Zimbabwe’s most exceptional rock art sites, featuring rare “formlings” - enigmatic shapes thought to represent shamanic visions.
What Makes Chikupo Special:
Home to some of the finest and most unusual rock art in Zimbabwe.
Exceptional Features: