The granite dome
A broad, smooth rock.
Fanny Schertzer — CC BY 3.0 · Fanny Schertzer — CC BY 3.0 · Fanny Schertzer — CC BY 3.0 · Fanny Schertzer — CC BY 3.0 · Fanny Schertzer — CC BY 3.0
Domboshawa is an area of granite hills north of Harare, crowned by a huge rock hill that is a National Monument of Zimbabwe and holds ancient rock paintings. It lies about 27 km in a straight line from the National Gallery in Harare, making it an easy half-day trip from the capital. The name comes from two Shona words: dombo, rock, and shava, light brown, also a clan name that refers to the colour of the eland. Sources date some of the rock paintings here to about 6,000 years ago, and most are in a cave reached by a short walk from the rock formations at the top. The summit is a broad, smooth granite dome scattered with balancing boulders, looking out over plains, hills and woodland to the horizon. In the cave, red and brown ochre paintings show animals such as antelope and elephants alongside human figures. The rock is steep in places and slippery after rain, so wear good shoes. Do not touch the paintings or splash water on them. Early morning or just before sunset is best, when the granite glows.
A broad, smooth rock.
Ochre animals in the cave.
Boulders on the summit.
Domboshawa, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe
Mostly in a cave a short walk from the summit rocks.
About 27 km in a straight line from the centre.