
Gonarezhou National Park
Zimbabwe's second-largest national park (over 5 000 km²), Gonarezhou, offers spectacular scenery, including the famous Chilojo Cliffs, wide meandering rivers and extensive woodlands.
Home to over 11 000 elephants, 89 species of mammal and over 500 species of bird, Gonarezhou and surrounding private game reserves should be high on the list of attractions to visit when in Zimbabwe.
Gonarezhou National Park Facts
- Size: +5 000km²
- Location: South-eastern Zimbabwe
- Altitude: 165m to 575m above sea level
- Accommodation: Gonarezhou Lodges
Where is Gonarezhou National Park located?
Located in the remote and wild south-eastern corner of Zimbabwe on the border with Mozambique. The closest recognisable town would be Masvingo (home of the Great Zimbabwean ruins), and that is in the region of 300 kilometres away depending on what road is taken.
Click here to see the exact location of the Gonarezhou National Park on Google maps; Google Maps - Gonarezhou National Park
Best Time to Visit Gonarezhou National Park?
The dry season (winter) in Zimbabwe is the best time to visit the park for wildlife and mild to warm temperatures, May to October are the months one should be looking at when planning a safari here.
Summer is the wet season, and when the rain falls, access to parts of the park are restricted or cut off due to rising water and bad tracks. November to April are the summer months; temperatures can and do exceed 40° Celcius.
Information On Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou, 'abode of the elephant' in the local language of Shona, offers visitors the chance to spot 4 of Africa's 'Big 5" (unfortunately, all rhino have been poached out of the park) hippo, crocodile and a whole host of other mammals.
The flat, undulating country is broken by the valleys of three rivers (Mwenezi, Rundi and Save) and by isolated hills here and there. The Chilojo Cliffs border the Runde River, and the Park includes the Grieve Pans, which fill with water in the rainy season.
A remote and wild corner of Zimbabwe that sees very few international or local tourists resulting in a safari here where one basically has the entire park to one's self.
A little interesting aspect of Gonarezhou is that the National Park officially forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (the Kruger National Park (South Africa) and Limpopo National Park (Mozambique) in which wildlife can move freely between the three sanctuaries.
Main Attractions Of Gonarezhou National Park
- Wildlife
- Birdlife
- Remote and wild
- Chilojo Cliffs
- 11 000 plus elephants
- Incredible wildlife
- Save River
- Chikwenya Camp
Chikwenya Camp is located at the confluence of the Sapi River and the Zambezi River, on the eastern border of the world heritage Mana Pools National Park.
Chikwenya Camp enjoys an exclusive 7000-acre lease of pristine lower Zambezi floodplain and some 5km of river frontage.
- Davisons Camp
Davisons Camp in Zimbabwe, a classic African tented camp located in the private Linkwasha Concession in the south-eastern wildlife-rich region of Hwange National Park.
The camp overlooks a waterhole that is teeming with outstanding Hwange wildlife and birdlife throughout the day and night.
- Batonka Guest Lodge
Welcome to Batonka Guest Lodge, where luxury meets the enchanting beauty of Victoria Falls! The luxury guesthouse offers an unparalleled blend of comfort and adventure, set amidst stunning gardens that create a peaceful retreat.
With various accommodations types, exquisite dining options, and exciting activities, Batonka Guest Lodge is the perfect destination for anyone looking to explore the wonders of Zimbabwe while enjoying a serene escape.
- Somalisa Expeditions Camp
Nestled in the heart of Hwange National Park, Somalisa Expeditions Camp provides an enchanting escape into the wild. This safari camp, consisting of only six luxurious tented suites, invites guests to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying exceptional comfort and service.
With stunning views of the floodplain and direct access to a lively waterhole full of wildlife, visitors are assured a memorable experience with the sights and sounds of the African bush. Ideal for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers, Expeditions Camp offers an unmatched safari experience.
- Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is set high on the cliffs overlooking the Save River and the fabled Gonarezhou National Park.
Gonarezhou is 'big game country' in a region of Zimbabwe that is as wild as one can get. Wildlife here includes all the cats, rhinos, buffalos and elephants to mention but a few.
- John's Camp
John's Camp in Mana Pools is a breath of fresh air, a classic safari camp experience for those who want and need to escape the modern world.
A small and intimate tented camp for those who want to experience the very best in wildlife and birdlife that Mana Pools National Park has to offer.