Gonarezhou National Park, in Zimbabwe’s South-East Lowveld, covers just more than 5 000 km² of some of the most spectacular scenery in the region incorporating the iconic Chilojo Cliffs, wide meandering rivers, and extensive woodlands. Widely known for its unique wilderness character, the Park’s reputation as a premier destination for quality wildlife sightings is also growing. Home to about 11 000 elephants, the Gonarezhou truly deserves its vernacular name as ‘Place of Elephants’.

Size of Gonarezhou National Park

At over 5,000 km², it is the second-largest National Park in Zimbabwe, cutting a swathe of sandstone cliffs, scrub, and baobab trees along the country’s south-eastern border with Mozambique.

Location of Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park is a national park located in south-eastern Zimbabwe. It is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province, south of Chimanimani along the Mozambique border.

How to get to Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park is secluded and relatively inaccessible. There are two areas to visit: Chipinda HQ is located 550km/342mi south of Harare, and Mabalauta HQ is located 667km/414mi south of Harare. The roads in the park are often very bad, especially in the Wet season, and a good 4WD is essential also charted flights can be arranged to the National park.

Things to do in Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou abundance of wildlife makes the park a brilliant destination for game viewing, walking safaris, and fishing. It is also excellent for hiking, with the majestic red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs well worth the trek for breath-taking views over the Runde River valley.

Game viewing

Gonarezhou is a great park to see some of the more unusual antelope species, including the shy nyala antelope and the tiny suni.

Walking safaris

Walking safaris are one of the best ways of discovering the park’s rear wildlife species that can easily be approached on foot and also there is incredible birdlife.

Fishing safaris

Fishing is permitted in Gonarezhou, but, as the focus for the Park’s activities is on non-consumptive tourism, the number of fishing sites is limited and fishing is restricted to overnight visitors, fishing from directly in front of their own campsite.

Birding tours

Birding safaris can be phenomenal in the park as it’s remote and perfect for some of the rear Zimbabwean endemics like the Arnott’s Chat.

When to visit Gonarezhou National Park

Wildlife viewing is most rewarding when the rains have ended and the vegetation has thinned out in the Dry season (April to October). You can visit Gonarezhou in the humid Wet season too (November to March), but you’ll find that animals are hard to find.

Where to stay in Gonarezhou National Park

Chilo gorge safari lodge

The lodge is light and spacious, simple and elegant, yet with all the comforts of home. We used a handsome palette of natural materials, to provide you with a haven from the heat of the day, a place to rest and recoup and to prepare for your next big adventure. For when you’re looking to spend time with other guests, the main lodge has everything you need; a shaded swimming pool, a sumptuous lounge, a library, a bar, and a dining room, all surrounded by beautifully tended gardens. Even here, at the heart of Chilo, the great African wilderness is never far away. You can watch our local elephants, hippos, and crocodiles cooling off in the waters of the river from the viewing deck.