When Kate and her partner left Johannesburg at 4 am, they set off on what looked like another ordinary adventure. Instead, their 10-day road trip to the marvels of Great Zimbabwe became something more; it was a lesson in how borders can feel friendly, history can whisper in stone, and ordinary travellers can inspire a nation.
From Early Morning Start to Seamless Journey
It wasn’t just the dawn setting the tone; it was the ease of crossing into Zimbabwe that surprised them most. At Beitbridge, the South African side wrapped things up fast. On the Zimbabwean side, they were actually met by a tourism official who personally walked them through every step. It was, in Kate’s words, one of the easiest border crossings they had ever experienced.
More Than a Road Trip, A Cultural Tapestry
This wasn’t a sprint; days dripped slowly, rich with scenery, dusty roads, truck-traffic blur, and sticky tar. What they captured online brought smiles and a stir among South Africans. Many praised them for showcasing the beauty and warmth of our neighbour’s land. A few asked why they didn’t film more of the journey. But perhaps the real gift they shared was the sense that Zimbabwe is not just a stop but a story, alive, welcoming, and staggering in its ancient presence.
@kateomega.hq Part One: Johannesburg to Great Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 We left Joburg at 4am and headed for Beitbridge. Honestly, it was one of the easiest border crossings we’ve ever had. South African side was quick, and then on the Zim side we were met by a tourism official who walked us through every step. She explained everything, made sure we knew the process is completely free, and warned us not to take “help” from anyone asking for money. The new building is really impressive too. Once we were through, the drive to Great Zimbabwe was long and tough. The roads are a mix of roadworks, trucks and broken tar, and by late afternoon we started to notice something wasn’t right with the steering. At that point we had no idea just how wrong it was going to get. We rolled into Great Zimbabwe at sunset, set up camp, and ate a frozen dinner before crashing. Follow along for part two of this trip! #OverlandingAfrica #ZimbabweTravel #GreatZimbabwe #OverlandingAdventures #ExploreZimbabwe ♬ original sound – kateomega.hq
Why Great Zimbabwe Deserves Your Road Trip
The ruins are not just relics; they are a time capsule in granite, a thousand-year-old city that once pulsed with life and artistry. Built by ancestors of the Shona people, it is Africa’s largest stone structure of its era. Its towering walls and conical towers stand without mortar, speaking of human skill and endurance. Spending hours walking among the Great Enclosure, Hill, and Valley complexes is less about sightseeing and more about listening to history.
Places like these invite reflection and connection. In an age where flights rule travel, choosing the road lets each mile be a moment, especially when borders behave with humanity, as Beitbridge did for Kate and her partner.
A Fresh Take for South African Travelers
This trip offers more than a travelogue; it’s a reminder of how close and accessible our heritage neighbours are. It presses us to lean into curiosity, to take routes less packaged, and to film the roadside chats and the dawn crossings. It’s proof that a cross-border adventure isn’t just a stamp in your passport; it’s a bridge built by trust, by beauty, and by journeys worth telling.
Source: Briefly News
Featured Image: Safari Bookings
