Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park

The second largest park in Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou bor¬ders the country of Mozambique in southeastern Zimbabwe and covers over 1950 square miles (5053 km2) of bush.

Gonarezhou means “the place of many elephants” and is definitely elephant country. Other species commonly seen are lion, buffalo, zebra, giraffe and a variety of antelope species. Nyala are regularly seen in riverine areas. Rarely seen are roan antelope and Lichtenstein’s hartebeest.

Elephant, rhino and buffalo have been heavily hunted and poached in this area. Visitors should approach these and other large mammals with extreme caution; these animals (especially elephants) have a justifiable grudge against man and are more likely to charge than in most other parks.

The park is off the beaten path and has only recently been opened to international tourists.

The park is divided into two regions, the Chipinda Pools section, which includes the Lundi and Sabi subregions, and the Mabalauta section. Game viewing is best in the Lundi subregion.

Gonarezhou is usually only open in the dry season, May 1-October 31. Winter temperatures are mild, however, summer temperatures can exceed 104° F (40° C).

From Masvingo drive southwest to Chiredzi, then con¬tinue either 36 miles (58 km) to Chipinda Pools or 105 miles (170 km) to Mabalauta Camp. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are highly recommended. No food or fuel is available at the park.

Accommodation - Class F:

Swimuwini, meaning “the place of baobabs,” is located five miles from the Warden’s Office and has three self-service chalets and an ablution block.

Camping:

Chipinda Pools Camping and Caravan Site and

Chinguli have ablution blocks. Seven remote campsites with basic facilities are also available.

Mabalauta has five camping/caravan sites.

Accommodation Near Gonarezhou National Park - Class B;
There are two facilities with a private airstrip situated on a 115-square-mile (300 km2) game ranch with elephant, buffalo, lion, black rhino, leopard and a variety of antelope near Gonarezhou National Park.

Induna Lodge has five stone and thatch chalets (doubles) with private facili¬ties, nestled in a rock amphitheater.

Class C:

Kwali Camp has 11 wood and thatch bungalows (doubles) with separate facilities (an ablution block).

Tambuti Lodge, located six miles (10 km) outside Chiredza, has chalets with separate facilities.