About Gonarezhou National Park Zimbabwe

About Gonarezhou National Park Zimbabwe

The Gonarezhou National Park is situated in southeastern Zimbabwe Masvingo province covering 5053 square kilometers. The name Gonarezhou means “the place of elephants” and indeed this name is apt for this park with thousands of elephants living in Gonarezhou National Park.

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Filming in Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park is placed in the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which connects this park via the Sengwe Tshipise Corridor to Kruger National Park in South Africa and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique

This park hosts one of the largest elephant populations in Africa with other animals like cape buffaloes, lions, leopards, black and white rhinos, cape wild dogs, hyenas and many others.

 In terms of topography, Gonarezhou National Park has stunning features like sandstone cliffs, Chilojo cliff, two large natural pans that is Machanu and Tembwahata. These two are situated at the junction of Rude River and Save River.

Brief history of Gonarezhou National Park

The Gonarezhou National Park was in 1936 was gazette as a game reserve but later in 1975 it was upgraded to a National Park. Operations in Gonarezhou National Park were put at standstill during the Rhodesia War and Mozambique civil war.

 In 1994 to 2007, Gonarezhou National Park was reopened under the management of the Zimbabwe Parks and Management Authority but due to financial crisis in Zimbabwe, park management became challenging so the Authority went into financial and technical assistance with Frankfurt Zoological Society.

More conservation players have joined this collaboration and the growth of Gonarezhou National Park is finally breaking through to reclaim its glory. Contact us for more information.

What to See and Do in Gonarezhou National Park

 Game Drives in Gonarezhou National Park

Waking up for an early morning game drive in Gonarezhou National Park is one of the rewarding adventure experiences on a Zimbabwean safari. Drive through the tracks of this park is amazing with opportunities of spotting wild animals like herds of elephants buffaloes, leopards, bushbucks, waterbucks, wildebeests and others. When on a game drive in Gonarezhou National Park, you may have chances of spotting the big five.

Enjoy the stunning scenery from the different landforms distributed in and around Gonarezhou National Park.

Birding In Gonarezhou National Park

Birding in Gonarezhou National Park is exclusive with opportunities for spotting numerous birds. It is best to plan the birding adventure to Gonarezhou National Park in advance. more than 400 bird species are residents of Gonarezhou National Park. Wake up early to catch up with the early risers as the day breaks in while driving on the tracks of this park, you may spot birds like kingfisher, saddle bill stork and others.

Fishing In Gonarezhou National Park

For anglers, Gonarezhou National Park is available to engage in fishing. You need no experience because on ground are instructors to assist and take you through all that is necessary. Ensure you book a fishing permit and a guide with experience in fishing in Gonarezhou National Park because this adventure is designated to happen in particular areas.

Cultural experience in Gonarezhou National Park

The people of Shangaan live closer to Gonarezhou National Park and with prior arrangements, you get the opportunity to interact with them to learn about their daily lives. You may engage in food preparation, basket weaving, craft making and much more. To enjoy the best of this experience, you need a local guide.

Walking safari in Gonarezhou National Park

Taking a guided walk in Gonarezhou National Park brings you up close with the reality of nature. You need a ranger guide in your company because the park has some predators. Take your strides through the rough jungle following the paths created by early travelers.

Look out for animals that may cross the way and different features that are dotted within the park. The stunning features like Chilojo cliff, rivers like Runde river and many others. This is a walk in the untamed wilderness of Africa.

For those photographing safari in Gonarezhou National Park Zimbabwe, this is one of the best activities in this park that brings you closer to features you may not capture from afar in a vehicle.

Picnics in Gonarezhou National Park

Doing a picnic in Gonarezhou National Park is an exceptional adventure that soaks you into the life of the park dwellers. This is a private arrangement that you can do besides the banks of River Mwenezi or Runde. Watching the sun slowly slip behind the horizon and gives way for night to take control is unmatched.

 You can also enjoy scenic viewing while seated at some points in Gonarezhou National Park. It is a moment of tranquility and refreshing especially during a vacation in Africa. The Gonarezhou National Park has some of the best natural views that are hard to find elsewhere.

You can also do a sundowner especially for those staying in Chilo Gorge while enjoying the view of Chivilila Falls. Contact us.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Gonarezhou National Park

The Gonarezhou National Park is open for safaris all year however the dry season is most preferred. The dry season is normally June, July, August, September and October. The wild animals and birds of Gonarezhou National Park are quicker to navigate in this period because the grass is lower allowing better visibility.

For outdoor activities in Gonarezhou National Park, like walking safaris, and picnics, the dry season creates the best timing because you are not afraid of getting wet.

The tracks in the park are quicker to navigate in the dry season but they are bumpy and dusty too. This is the peak tourism season in Zimbabwe so expect to share the same space with other tourists.  Demand for accommodation ad other logistics that support safaris in this park is high yet supply is still limited so book your safari in advance.

The wet season in Zimbabwe which is normally March, April, May, Late October and November may have less bookings to Gonarezhou National Park but chances of experiencing new births are more open. The grass is grown which protects these infants from predators.

 Note that the ground gets slippery especially during the severe rainy season so you need a 4×4 wheel drive vehicle in good condition to navigate through this.  Carry the right safari gear while traveling on safari to Gonarezhou National Park putting in mind that the early morning and later afternoons of this park are normally cold.

What is the Climate of Gonarezhou National Park

The dry seasons of Gonarezhou National Park are normally June, July, August, September, or early October but keep in mind that the early mornings and late afternoons while on safari in this park are cold so you need to wear some warmers.

The wet season is normally March, April, May and November so pack your safari bags putting into mind the possibility of cold conditions. Chances of witnessing storm clouds while on safari in Gonarezhou National Park during the wet season are more open.

Why visit Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park is still one of the intact wildlife habitats in southern Africa worth adding to the list of destinations to visit in Africa. The park hosts a large population of some of long tusked elephants. Even though the park was affected by poaching in the past, its glory is still rebuilding so you have better opportunities to spot a wide range of animals including the big five.

It is a family safari destination where children can learn about the wild animals and birds they might be studying in school. This is a biosphere reserve too with great sceneries including landforms.

During the visit to Gonarezhou National Park, paying park fees is compulsory as this is one way to support the maintenance of this park. More money is required to give protection to the park’s inhabitants and also sensitize the community about the importance of co-existing with the wildlife in this park. Contact us for more information.

How Much Is The Cost Of Safari In Gonarezhou National Park

The cost of safari in Gonarezhou National Park is based on three categories that is Luxury, mid-range and basic.  At Encounter Africa Safaris we package our safari according to these categories so when you send us an inquiry with details like the number of people traveling, dates of start and end of the safari, and where to go, our tours consultant gets back to you.

We work with your input to tailor an itinerary that suits your needs and interests after which the costing is done. We also offer free advise on different African safari destinations where our company operates like gorilla trekking in Uganda and Rwanda, Kenya safaris, Tanzania safaris, Zimbabwe Safari, Zambia Safaris and others.

As we cost our safaris, some of the items included in the quotation may include a number of people traveling, the number of days on safari, timing and much more. It is best to book your Zimbabwe safari in advance in order to avoid last minute panic.

Paying park entrance fees to Gonarezhou National Park is compulsory as one of the ways to support the sustainable existence of places like Gonarezhou National Park. Many of the National Park in Zimbabwe were encroached on during the terrible economic crisis in the 2000s. Several wild animals were poached like elephants for there tusks which reduced there numbers.

Can children visit Gonarezhou National ParkNational Park National Park

 Children can visit Gonarezhou National Park but they must be with an escorting responsible adult. Do brief the children about the park life and take them through the guidelines expected to be followed while on holiday.

While on safari inform the children that there are no toilet breaks especially when you are not sure of what may be watching from afar. Making noise in the park is forbidden because you may attract the dangerous animals in the park.

Is Gonarezhou National Park Safe For A Safari?

Gonarezhou National Park is safe for safaris but you need to follow the guidelines of this park. Even though walking safaris are allowed in this park, you must be in company of an armed ranger guide. The animals in this park are wild and may charge at you at any time.

Do not just carelessly drive through different tracts in the park because you may land in unsafe locations where you may get stuck so follow the tracks constructed in the park.

List Of What To Pack For A Safari In Gonarezhou National Park

• A pair of binoculars for better visibility of far ranging features.
• Insect repellant to keep away biting insects that may cross your way like tsetse flies. The wilderness may have some harmful insects that may make you uncomfortable with a bite.
• Rainproof proof gears especially during the wet season
• Safari hat or cap to protect your head from the dust and buzzing insects
• A pair of binoculars to capture a closer look of the surroundings of the Gonarezhou National Park
• Safari shoes especially if you have to walk as the ground is sometimes very hot and also your feet need to be protected from the rough surfaces in the wilderness.
• Sunglasses to protect your eyes from buzzing insects.
• Some warmers because most safari destinations in Zimbabwe experience cold conditions early morning and late afternoon.
•  Foldable drinking water bottle to quench thirst during the safari in Zimbabwe
• Safari wears in colors that are wilderness friendly in colors like khaki, tan and others. Try not to use colors that can attract stinging insects like blue, black and white.
• Some cash to use for on ground purchases as credit cards are not easy to use in Africa because of the lengthy process of collecting money from them.
• Snacks to munch on when you are on safari in case you get hungry.
•  A camera to keep memorable moments while on safari in Zimbabwe there are many moments that happen
• Flip flops to wear while relaxing at your lodge or hotel
• First aid kit in case of an emergency. It should also contain prescribed medication from a professional doctor.
• Extra batteries fully charged to exchange with in case you one runs low.
• Duffel bag so that you can carry your belongings in case you have to help yourself.

Get in touch with us for more information about Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.