Balancing Rocks of Epworth

Naturally balanced granite boulders that appeared on every Zimbabwean banknote

The granite balancing rocks at Epworth, about 15 kilometres south of Harare, are formations produced by millions of years of erosion that have left enormous boulders stacked in improbably stable arrangements. Several are accessible along short marked paths, and the landscape of open grassland and giant rocks is genuinely striking.

The site is managed by the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe. Entry fees are modest. Combine with a visit to the Shona village and craftspeople at Epworth if you make the journey out here. The rocks are easier to see from the road than many tourist sites in Zimbabwe, and they make an interesting half-day excursion from the capital.

things to do sight
A story
These boulder formations at Epworth, south of Harare, appeared on every Zimbabwean banknote from independence until the currency collapsed under hyperinflation. The rocks were chosen as a national symbol because similar formations are found across Zimbabwe and are associated with ancestral spirits in Shona culture. They also appeared on the 100 trillion dollar note — the largest denomination banknote ever legally issued.