Gonarezhou National Park

About this place

Gonarezhou National Park is Zimbabwe's second largest park at 5,053 square km, in a remote corner of Masvingo Province on the Mozambican border. Its Shona name means the place of elephants, and large parts remain pristine wilderness because of its size, rugged terrain and distance from main tourist routes. It began as a game reserve in 1936 and became a national park in 1975. It is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, linking it with Kruger in South Africa and Limpopo in Mozambique, with animals free to move between them. Since 2017 it has been run by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, a partnership of the parks authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society. Its best-known sight is the Chilojo Cliffs, sandstone rising 180 metres and running about 20 km along the south bank of the Runde River. Huge baobabs stand along the banks, with green rock pools that hold crocodiles. Elephants appear in groups, and nyala and many antelope live here. Tracks are sandy and crowds few, and the place gives a true feeling of distance. The park's mapped point is 173.3 km in a straight line south-east of Masvingo. You need four-wheel drive and plenty of fuel, water and food, as services are few. Elephants can be wary and may charge, so keep your distance and do not cut in front of a herd. Stay away from the water because of crocodiles. Ask a doctor about malaria precautions.