Gonarezhou

Facts
Gonarezhou National Park is situated in the relatively remote corner of the Masvingo Province, south of the Chimanimani Province, which borders onto Mozambique. With its rugged terrain and location away from the main tourist’s spots, the vast National Park is untouched and boasts large tracts of pristine wilderness. The robust and beautiful landscapes form part of the great Limpopo Transfront-Park, a peace park which links Gonarezhou with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. This allows the animals to roam freely between all three of the sanctions.

A vast array of animals is attracted by the diverse flora, which includes baobabs, scrublands and sandstone cliffs. Numerous species can exist side by side in this pristine wonderland. The combined parks are home to 147 species of mammals, over 500 species of birds, 116 reptiles, 34 frogs and 49 species of fish, making the park one of the ultimate safari experiences.

Three major rivers run through the park, forming pools and natural oasis’s from which hundreds of species can feed and drink at its banks. Gonarezhou is home to many unique species including the endangered African Wild Dog, rare King Cheetah. The Nyala and small Suni are two of the parks smaller antelopes. The National Park is also famous for its elephants, as many of the largest tusked elephants are only found in this region. The peace parks are dedicated to conservation, bio-diversity and ecological development.

When to visit
The winters are mild and dry while summers are warm and wet, generally reaching temperatures of over 40° Celsius. Hence winter is definitely the best time of the year to experience this fascinating park. The rainy season runs from November to April. During this time certain parts of the park are restricted due to safety issues. Travellers wishing to visit should consult the parks office before undertaking any game drives. Mabalauto and Chipinda are both open throughout the year.

Highlights
The game is some of the best along the riverine regions and close to the perennial pools and springs. Therefore game viewing is the primary activity in Gonarezhou. The park also allows for daytime and full moon walking safaris in certain areas and along the famous pools at the Samalena Gorge, which is known as the “place of killing”.

Gonarezhou offers visitors numerous viewing points and natural water pans, where one can experience the animals in their natural habitat. With beautiful sunsets and panoramic views from all over this incredible park, Gonarezhou offers safaris as you have never experienced before.