Gonarezhou National Park Overview
At 5053 km2, Gonarezhou is the country’s second largest game reserve after Hwange National Park, and is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province along the Mozambique Border. Formed in 1975, the park is now part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Gonarezhou with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, wildlife can move freely between the three protected areas. This huge area is set to become one of the finest “peace parks” in the world and is dedicated to conservation, biodiversity and the economic development of the surrounding local communities. The vast and diverse nature of the mega-park will provide world-class ecotourism to visitors with one of it’s major aims being to re-establish historical animal migration routes and fragile regional ecosystems.
Owing to its vast size, rugged terrain and its location away from main tourist routes, large tracts of Gonarezhou remain as pristine wilderness and its diverse landscape stands in stark contrast to the rest of the country, with one of the most prominent and enduring natural features being the spectacular Chilojo Cliffs. These magnificent red sandstone cliffs have been formed through eons of erosion and overlook the scenic Runde River valley.
“Gonarezhou” meaning “Place of many Elephants” is an extremely scenic Park full of rugged and beautiful landscapes, primarily made up of lowveld scrublands, baobabs and sandstone cliffs. As its name implies, Gonarezhou is famous for its elephants, with many of the largest-tusked elephants in the region being found within the Park.
Gonarezhou has plenty of appeal in the wildlife department and hosts a wide range of predators and herbivores, but often what people find most astounding about this remote region is its incredible landscape; rocky outcrops, sandstone cliff faces, flowing rivers, and plateaus of dense bush, and baobabs.
Three major rivers; The Save, Runde and Mwenezi, cut their courses through the Park, forming pools and natural oases from which hundreds of species of birds, wildlife and fish gather to feed and drink. In addition, the park contains a number of perennial pools and springs as well as the impressive Chivilila Falls.
There are few truly wild places in Africa that remain unspoiled by mass tourism and for the time being, Gonarezhou is one of them. Located far from the heavily tramped northern circuit, Gonarezhou is an absolute jewel of a wilderness area.
When To Travel
Gonarezhou experiences mild, dry winters and warm, wet summers (temperatures in excess of 40°C can occasionally be expected). It is best to visit Gonarezhou during the dry season for the same reason as most other highly vegetated destinations, as the thickness of the bush is less and animals gather at permanent water points, making them easier to spot. April to October (the dry season) is characterised by cloudless skies and plenty of sunshine. November to March (the wet season) brings afternoon storms, which are usually followed by sun. It can also rain lightly over several days.
April
Whilst rains are still possible, they tend to fall fewer and farther between and April is generally considered to be the end of the rainy season. Temperatures begin to cool, particularly at night.
May to August
As with the rest of the country, this period is winter and the coldest time across the country. During the day, temperatures are around 27°C, with temperatures dipping to on average 11°C in the evenings and early mornings.
September & October
These months are usually very dry and hot, although occasionally rains have been known to fall towards the end of October, bringing with it a relief to the higher temperatures. Days are hot with temperatures generally up to and above 31°C.
November to March
By November the rainy season has officially arrived. Majority of the rain usually falls over the period December through to March and usually comprises of afternoon showers. It can also drizzle continuously for a couple of days so bear this in mind when booking over this period. Daytime temperatures average 33°C whilst nighttime temperatures tend to average 20°C.
Getting There
Mabalauta and Chipinda areas are open throughout the year. During the rainy season (November – April), access to certain parts of the Park is restricted and the visitors should consult with the Park’s offices before undertaking game drives. Despite the beauty at this time of year, roads may become inaccessible and some camps close for the wet season.
Species
Wildlife
Lion, leopard, painted dog, cheetah (including the rare king cheetah – although it is unclear when this was last sighted), buffalo, giraffe, zebra and many species of large antelope are all present within the Park, but it is really the elephants for which Gonarezhou is renowned for, although the elephants here have a reputation for being quite aggressive, and so care should always be taken. The rare nyala and the smaller suni are two of the highlights of the Park’s smaller antelope species and considered a lucky sighting.
Unique species of aquatic wildlife such as the Zambezi Shark, Freshwater Goby, Black Bream and the unique turquoise killifish can be seen within the Park’s rivers and pools.
Birdlife
Birding during summer is wonderful, as the migrant species are drawn to the warm weather in Gonarezhou.
At 5053 km2, Gonarezhou is the country’s second largest game reserve after Hwange National Park, and is situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province along the Mozambique Border. Formed in 1975, the park is now part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Gonarezhou with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique, wildlife can move freely between the three protected areas. This huge area is set to become one of the finest “peace parks” in the world and is dedicated to conservation, biodiversity and the economic development of the surrounding local communities. The vast and diverse nature of the mega-park will provide world-class ecotourism to visitors with one of it’s major aims being to re-establish historical animal migration routes and fragile regional ecosystems.
Owing to its vast size, rugged terrain and its location away from main tourist routes, large tracts of Gonarezhou remain as pristine wilderness and its diverse landscape stands in stark contrast to the rest of the country, with one of the most prominent and enduring natural features being the spectacular Chilojo Cliffs. These magnificent red sandstone cliffs have been formed through eons of erosion and overlook the scenic Runde River valley.
“Gonarezhou” meaning “Place of many Elephants” is an extremely scenic Park full of rugged and beautiful landscapes, primarily made up of lowveld scrublands, baobabs and sandstone cliffs. As its name implies, Gonarezhou is famous for its elephants, with many of the largest-tusked elephants in the region being found within the Park.
Gonarezhou has plenty of appeal in the wildlife department and hosts a wide range of predators and herbivores, but often what people find most astounding about this remote region is its incredible landscape; rocky outcrops, sandstone cliff faces, flowing rivers, and plateaus of dense bush, and baobabs.
Three major rivers; The Save, Runde and Mwenezi, cut their courses through the Park, forming pools and natural oases from which hundreds of species of birds, wildlife and fish gather to feed and drink. In addition, the park contains a number of perennial pools and springs as well as the impressive Chivilila Falls.
There are few truly wild places in Africa that remain unspoiled by mass tourism and for the time being, Gonarezhou is one of them. Located far from the heavily tramped northern circuit, Gonarezhou is an absolute jewel of a wilderness area.
Gonarezhou experiences mild, dry winters and warm, wet summers (temperatures in excess of 40°C can occasionally be expected). It is best to visit Gonarezhou during the dry season for the same reason as most other highly vegetated destinations, as the thickness of the bush is less and animals gather at permanent water points, making them easier to spot. April to October (the dry season) is characterised by cloudless skies and plenty of sunshine. November to March (the wet season) brings afternoon storms, which are usually followed by sun. It can also rain lightly over several days.
April
Whilst rains are still possible, they tend to fall fewer and farther between and April is generally considered to be the end of the rainy season. Temperatures begin to cool, particularly at night.
May to August
As with the rest of the country, this period is winter and the coldest time across the country. During the day, temperatures are around 27°C, with temperatures dipping to on average 11°C in the evenings and early mornings.
September & October
These months are usually very dry and hot, although occasionally rains have been known to fall towards the end of October, bringing with it a relief to the higher temperatures. Days are hot with temperatures generally up to and above 31°C.
November to March
By November the rainy season has officially arrived. Majority of the rain usually falls over the period December through to March and usually comprises of afternoon showers. It can also drizzle continuously for a couple of days so bear this in mind when booking over this period. Daytime temperatures average 33°C whilst nighttime temperatures tend to average 20°C.
Mabalauta and Chipinda areas are open throughout the year. During the rainy season (November – April), access to certain parts of the Park is restricted and the visitors should consult with the Park’s offices before undertaking game drives. Despite the beauty at this time of year, roads may become inaccessible and some camps close for the wet season.
Wildlife
Lion, leopard, painted dog, cheetah (including the rare king cheetah – although it is unclear when this was last sighted), buffalo, giraffe, zebra and many species of large antelope are all present within the Park, but it is really the elephants for which Gonarezhou is renowned for, although the elephants here have a reputation for being quite aggressive, and so care should always be taken. The rare nyala and the smaller suni are two of the highlights of the Park’s smaller antelope species and considered a lucky sighting.
Unique species of aquatic wildlife such as the Zambezi Shark, Freshwater Goby, Black Bream and the unique turquoise killifish can be seen within the Park’s rivers and pools.
Birdlife
Birding during summer is wonderful, as the migrant species are drawn to the warm weather in Gonarezhou.
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