"Gonarezhou National Park is Zimbabwe’s second biggest national park but arguably its least known. Located in the country’s remote southeast, for years it was largely out of bounds due to insecurities along the Mozambique border. Today it forms part of the vast Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, shared with neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa. Game populations are recovering, including plentiful elephant and a full complement of predators. There is a handful of private lodges, plus basic national parks facilities for experienced, self-sufficient travellers. This is a park for the lover of true wilderness, where the scenery – including the famous red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs – is as impressive as the wildlife.”
- Mike Unwin
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PLAN MY JOURNEYGonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe’s second-biggest national park, covering more than 5,000 square kilometres. For years it was largely out of bounds, even to locals, with a combination of security concerns along the Mozambique border and a lack of infrastructure making exploration extremely challenging. Today, it forms part of the vast Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park, shared with Limpopo National Park and Kruger National Park in neighbouring Mozambique and South Africa respectively. the park remains high on the wish list of many a wilderness aficionado – and with recent changes in Zimbabwe, plus a proliferation of conservation and tourist schemes, many involving the local Shangaan community, the future looks promising.
During the hard times, populations of many of Gonarezhou’s large mammal species declined. Today, most are recovering impressively, with recent counts revealing upwards of 11,000 elephant, alongside good populations of buffalo, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and numerous other antelope – including rare nyala. Rhinos, sable and roan, once resident, are now all gone, but lion numbers are rising, alongside plentiful spotted hyena, ubiquitous leopard, a few cheetah and a small but recovering population of wild dogs. Hippos thrive in the park’s rivers and an impressive bird list reflects its rich habitat diversity.
Gonarezhou’s sketchy infrastructure limits exploration by road, and flooding during the rainy season leaves many areas inaccessible. Tourism concentrates largely in the northern sector, where the Runde River flows past the dramatic red sandstone buttress of Chilojo cliffs towards its confluence with the Save. Private camps to the north offer excellent guided safaris, with the emphasis being on a full wilderness immersion rather than ticking off a list of big game, and activities such as fly-camping and walking safaris are available for the more adventurous. The baobab-studded terrain is hot and wild, and the elephants notoriously aggressive, but for a true bush experience, with no other visitors in sight, you’d be hard-pushed to beat it.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
WET SEASON
This is the wettest period of the year with, again rainfall normally comes in the form of an afternoon thunderstorm. Temperatures are hot during the day, averaging a maximum of 33°C/91°F, mornings are much more pleasant averaging 20°C/68°F.
The landscape by this stage is rapidly becoming lush, green and beautiful. Not perfect for game viewing, but there are many new born animals as well as migratory birdlife to enjoy.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON
This is the wettest period of the year with, again rainfall normally comes in the form of an afternoon thunderstorm. Temperatures are hot during the day, averaging a maximum of 33°C/91°F, mornings are much more pleasant averaging 20°C/68°F.
The landscape by this stage is rapidly becoming lush, green and beautiful. Not perfect for game viewing, but there are many new born animals as well as migratory birdlife to enjoy.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON
This is the wettest period of the year with, again rainfall normally comes in the form of an afternoon thunderstorm. Temperatures are hot during the day, averaging a maximum of 33°C/91°F, mornings are much more pleasant averaging 20°C/68°F.
The landscape by this stage is rapidly becoming lush, green and beautiful. Not perfect for game viewing, but there are many new born animals as well as migratory birdlife to enjoy.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON
Whilst technically still the wet season April sees the end of the rains with clear skies dominating towards the end of the month. Temperatures begin to also drop, making for more pleasant afternoon conditions.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
May is the beginning of the dry season, although the landscape will still be many shades of green following the rains. Midday temperatures are pleasant, but the mornings can be surprisingly cool, so be sure to pack a warm fleece.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
The landscape continues to dry up, with game sightings becoming more likely. Midday temperatures are pleasant, 27°C/81°F, but the mornings can be surprisingly cool, around 11°C/52°F, so be sure to pack a warm fleece.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
The landscape continues to dry up, with game sightings becoming more likely. Midday temperatures are pleasant, 27°C/81°F, but the mornings can be surprisingly cool, around 11°C/52°F, so be sure to pack a warm fleece.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
The landscape continues to dry up, with game sightings becoming more likely. Midday temperatures are pleasant, 27°C/81°F, but the mornings can be surprisingly cool, around 11°C/52°F, so be sure to pack a warm fleece.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies still dominate, the landscape has now become quite parched; ultimately making this the perfect time for game viewing. Midday temperatures are hot, with temperatures of over 31°C/88°F, morning temperatures are pleasant, though occasionally cool.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
DRY SEASON
Clear skies still dominate, the landscape has now become quite parched; ultimately making this the perfect time for game viewing. Midday temperatures are hot, with temperatures of over 31°C/88°F, morning temperatures are pleasant, though occasionally cool.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON
Technically the start of the wet season, although rain is infrequent, usually in the form of afternoon showers. The arrival of the first rains rapidly transforms the parched landscape.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
WET SEASON
This is the wettest period of the year with, again rainfall normally comes in the form of an afternoon thunderstorm. Temperatures are hot during the day, averaging a maximum of 33°C/91°F, mornings are much more pleasant averaging 20°C/68°F.
The landscape by this stage is rapidly becoming lush, green and beautiful. Not perfect for game viewing, but there are many new born animals as well as migratory birdlife to enjoy.
Like the rest of Zimbabwe, Gonarezhou has very distinct wet and dry seasons; rain is common, usually in the form of sharp thunderstorms from November through to April, the rest of the year clear skies dominate. We would generally recommend visiting Gonarezhou during the peak of the dry season; as the landscape dries up wildlife becomes more concentrated around water sources while at the same time thinner/ drier vegetation improves visibility. Having said this, there is a lot to be said for the ‘emerald season’; beautiful green scenery, fantastic birding and fewer tourists can make for a wonderful and unique experience.
Explore Gonarezhou National Park Properties
Singita Pamushana Lodge
Singita Pamushana Lodge
Surrounded by gardens and underneath a canopy of trees lies the Pamushana Lodge, a luxurious accommodation with stunning views of the Malilangwe Dam. A welcoming and cosy property set within pristine wilderness, Pamushana is ideal ..
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The personalised service provided was far beyond my expectations. A three week trip visiting four countries in Africa, multiple game reserves, wineries and much, much more was flawless. While a close encounter with a leopard and her cubs…
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