MAPAKU, OR “LITTLE ZIMBABWE”
A walk to these ruins is one of the most interesting in the vicinity of the Zimbabwe. They lie south-east of Zimbabwe at a distance of less than eight miles, and the path runs through the romantic scenery of the Beroma Hills and the Motelekwe Valley. The best way to reach the ruins is through Chenga’s kraal, past Mandiara’s, which overlooks the lower country on the south side of the Beroma Range, and past the picturesquely situated kraal of Mapaku, which is at the foot of a tall cliff a quarter of a mile north-west of the ruins. The ruins are not extensive (see description of Mapaku Ruins, chapter xxi.), but are well worth inspection. To return to Zimbabwe the path may be taken to some large pools in the Motelekwe River, and from there through Gobele’s kraal near to, and on to, Chipadzi’s kraal, which is about three miles from Zimbabwe. Making the round journey as suggested enables the visitor to see native life as it is lived beyond the ordinary tracks of the white man. The best time of day to take this walk is to start just before sunrise and arrive at the ruins before the heat can be felt, and so return to Zimbabwe in good time for lunch.