Written by Chris Dunbar. All pictures are copyright by Chris Dunbar.
So to Piringani (Piringani: 16°59′ 48.63″S 30°11′ 27.97″E), in the north west of Zimbabwe, in the farm lands of Doma, I went. Rumour had it that there was a Lemon forest and that it was marked and known by the local farmers and the Department of National Monuments.
I could not find any rock / stone or mud ruins at this site but did find the lemon forest. The trees have self propagated from the original stock, which is believed to have been planted by the Portuguese Friars. The Lemons were planted to assist with the health and well being of the settlers at this settlement.
I am told by the locals along the Angwa River (which is about twenty Km’s from Piringani) that the forts at Angwa are down to the foundations and no walls are left standing, but that the Lemon Forests along the Angwa are very spectacular and hold many more trees then at the Piringani Site.
I was at the Angwa (Angoe) but was not able to get to the sites, the lemon forest at Piringani / Ditchwe site is a little south east of those forts.
At last a picture of Wild date Palms, germinated from seeds probably spat out by Portuguese explorers. GPS 17 2.001’s and 30 4.576’e this is located half way between the Piringani Lemon forst and the Angwa river forts.