Gonarezhou National Park Expedition

If you are searching for an authentic safari with a difference, Gonarezhou National Park is a must-see. This is a place where you will find an enormous number of elephants but very few people, offering a truly exclusive and intimate wildlife experience. The park is a vital part of the colossal Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a massive wilderness area that connects to South Africa’s Kruger and Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park. Gonarezhou is not just about the elephants, though. It’s a land of striking beauty, defined by the majestic Chilojo Cliffs, meandering rivers, and a wilderness that feels truly untouched. Experience the thrill of game drives in an unspoiled environment and immerse yourself in the natural grandeur of this unique and significant park.

Highlights

  • Authentic, intimate safari with high elephant numbers and low visitor numbers.
  • Explore a vital section of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park.
  • Full-day game drive into the “Place of Many Elephants.”
  • Chance to spot four of the Big Five: Elephant, leopard, lion, and buffalo.
  • Witness the majestic Chilojo Cliffs, 180m high red sandstone formations.
  • Explore the Chipanda pools and the meandering Runde River.
  • Discover unique aquatic life (e.g., turquoise killifish) in the Runde River.
  • Look for agile klipspringers and graceful kudu/impala.
  • Enjoy a packed lunch amidst the stunning wilderness scenery.
  • Experience a magical sundowner as the sun sets over the Lowveld.
  • Birder’s paradise with a diverse range of avian species.

Includes

  • All activities (Unless labelled as optional)
  • A professional driver/guide
  • Water and lunch (As specified)
  • All transportation (Unless labelled as optional)
  • All Taxes/VAT
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees

Excludes

  • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
  • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)

Itinerary

  • Full-day tour

    Embark on an unforgettable day trip to Gonarezhou National Park, a true wilderness sanctuary often called the “Place of Many Elephants” for its staggering elephant population. Your adventure begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in Chiredzi, setting the stage for a day of discovery in this unique and unspoiled ecosystem. As a birder’s paradise, Gonarezhou is a haven for avian enthusiasts, with a diverse range of species waiting to be spotted, from the graceful lesser spotted eagles to the acrobatic fork-tailed drongos. The park is also home to a thrilling array of wildlife, offering the chance to encounter four of Africa’s iconic Big Five: the powerful elephant, the elusive leopard, the majestic lion, and the formidable buffalo, alongside a rich tapestry of other animal species, including klipspringers, kudus, and impalas. Your journey will take you through the breathtaking landscapes of the park, including the serene Chipanda pools and the meandering Runde River. The river is not only a lifeline for the park’s terrestrial inhabitants but also a vibrant aquatic world in its own right, home to unique fish species like the freshwater goby, black bream, and the striking turquoise killifish. A defining feature of the park is the majestic Chilojo Cliffs. These monumental, striated red sandstone formations, sculpted over eons of erosion, rise an impressive 180 meters above the river course, providing a spectacular and enduring backdrop to your safari. You will have a packed lunch to enjoy amidst this stunning scenery. As the day draws to a close, you will be treated to a magical sundowner experience, watching the sun dip below the horizon before being transferred back to your hotel, your mind filled with the vivid memories of this truly wild and beautiful place.

    Meals: Lunch

Frequently Asked Questions

The name Gonarezhou originates from the Shona language, where ‘nzou’ or ‘zhou’ is the word for elephant. It is translated as “place of many elephants,” a perfectly fitting name given the park is home to a resident population of over eleven thousand elephants.

Gonarezhou, “the place of elephants,” is a vast Big Five wilderness. While wildlife spotting requires a bit of luck, elephant encounters are almost 100% certain! You might also be lucky enough to spot rare species like Black Rhino, African Wild Dog, Lion, or Leopard. The park’s rivers shelter crocodiles and hippos, and it is a paradise for birders, featuring over 450 species.

The main activity is game drives, but a 4×4 vehicle is essential to explore extensively and cross sandy river beds. Other activities include walking safaris (permitted in certain areas like Samalena Gorge pools), birding (especially at Tembawahata and Machiniwa pan), scenic tours (to the Chilojo Cliffs and various waterfalls), and fishing (restricted to overnight visitors staying at specific campsites).

While the park is open all year, the cool-dry season (April to August) offers the best weather for exploring, with comfortable daytime temperatures. The hot, dry period of September and November is the best time for game viewing, as high daytime temperatures cause wildlife to gather around waterholes. Note that certain areas become inaccessible during the wet season (November to April) as the Runde River floods and cannot be crossed due to a lack of bridges.

We usually need at least 24 hours to confirm a booking but depending on availability when you contact us, we can accommodate last minute booking. Send us an email (res@escapetoadventuresafaris.com) or a WhatsApp message (+263 712 518 078) to get assisted as soon as possible.

Terms & Conditions

Please refer to our general Terms and Conditions of booking available here. Details on all deadlines, fees, and procedures for refunds are covered here.

Starting from

$555 per person sharing

  • $1,110 -

    Solo Traveller

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