Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), a massive Pan-African Park that includes South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Gaza. It lies in the southeastern corner of Zimbabwe bordering Mozambique. Around 5000km2, it is possibly the wildest and least visited park perhaps the most untamed safari escape in Zimbabwe.

Transversed by three rivers, the Save, Mwenezi and Runde, the park is dotted with pools and shallow falls around which vegetation thrives. These areas attract a rich diversity of bird and animal life. “Gonarezhou” meaning “Place of many Elephants” is aptly named for local folk tell tales of elephants here taller than the tallest trees and some of the largest tusks are seen in this region.

Gonarezhou’s dramatic landscape features magnificent red sandstone cliffs – the Chilojo Cliffs – that overlook the Runde River valley. A spectacular backdrop to the bushveld with its broad, sandy riverbeds and baobab trees, this stunning scenery lends the Park a remote and rugged allure.

Relatively inaccessible with only a few roads this is not a place for the faint of heart for the best way to see it is on foot along the way of many ancient elephant tracks. Fortunately few operators have risked setting up here as yet and the best way to visit this ‘forgotten corner’ of Africa is on a mobile safari, free to roam to far-flung corners and enjoy untouched parts of the Park.

A thing of rugged beauty, Gonarezhou is wild and untamed – a true remnant of the Africa of old – and those who long to lose themselves in the ways of the wild wander here to witness it as pioneers would – a paradise undiscovered.

When to Visit

Gonarezhou access is seasonal. Heavy rainy seasons prohibit travel and activity between December and March and since many of the roads cross the major rivers, waters are often still too high to get deep into the Park even in April. Whilst some camps may be open during this period, activities may be limited and guests are guaranteed wet weather between mid-November and March.

Access

Remote. Access by vehicle transfer from Bulawayo / Harare is a 7 hour drive. Guests transferring from Bulawayo can break the trip with a night at Masvingo. Airstrips at Chipinda and Mahenya make for easy air charter access.

Activities

Walking, hiking, game driving (limited), birding.

Accommodation

Tented & Lodge