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Gonarezhou is a national park located in Southern Africa that has managed to stay under the radar. The Rundi and Mwenezi rivers carve their way through this huge park that spans over 5053 km2 creating a scenic wonderland of cliffs, rich alluvial floodplains and natural water pans. The varying types of woodland and bush hold an immense diversity of creatures, which make it a rewarding park for walking, game drives and just enjoying the natural beauty it holds. This unique national park is located in South East Zimbabwe and forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation area, including other great parks in South Africa and Mozambique. It was established as a National Park in 1975 and is home to large herds of elephants, giving the park its name. The name Gonarezhou is from the Shona language and is translated as “the place of elephants”. Elephants aren’t the only reason to visit this highly underrated place, which is why we have collected our five reasons why this park should be number one on your list as your next safari destination.  Gonarezhou Panorama - Image Credits Matt Blair Conservation Storytelling 1. Gonarezhou National Park is still a well-kept secret Many visitors to Zimbabwe flock to Mana Pools and Hwange to see the big game, although both are wonderful parks with great reputations, there are many other beautiful places to discover. Gonarezhou has much more to offer and because all the hoards go to the other two parks, it means we have the vastness, diversity of flora and fauna and all the animals (mostly) to ourselves. The accommodation facilities available to us are strategically spread out through the park to allow access to the rich diversity and allow us to exclusively enjoy everything the park has to offer within 5 to …an unlimited number of days! There is always more to see and you can easily spend 2 full weeks in this park and stay entertained.  Elephant & Buffalo in Gonarezhou - Image Credits: Gary De Jong 2. The animal diversity in Gonarezhou is unbeatable With such varying soil types, permanent water year-round the natural vegetation is host to a large variety of animals. All creatures great and small are waiting to be discovered. The rivers and pans hold 50 species of fish. Bird sightings are up to 400. Large mammals 89 including endangered painted wolves, nyala antelope, along with the more common large mammals such as elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, kudu, waterbuck impala and warthog. Finding all these treasures in a single national park is what makes Gonarezhou the best one-stop spot.  Birdlife in Gonarezhou - Image Credits: Gary De Jong 3. The park is protected with an innovative conservation model Zimbabwe National Parks have teamed up with Frankfurt Zoological Society to help manage and protect this unique National Park. According to the official Gonarezhou website (highly recommended to scroll through): official Gonarezhou website (highly recommended site to scroll through): “The Gonarezhou Trust is an innovative new model for protected area management drawn up between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA), and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS). Built on the back of a strong relationship developed over 9 years of support by FZS for Gonarezhou, the Trust is directly responsible for management of the Park for a period of 20 years, and became fully operational on 1st March 2017.” This collaboration and new way of approaching conservation can already be felt in the park and will hopefully continue to ensure a sustainable and long-term solution to protect the wildlife and beautiful landscapes for further generations to enjoy.  Baobab in the park - Image Credits: Bad Rabbit Studio 4. The riverside walks are unbeatable Both rivers in Gonarezhou are unique, attractive and wind there way through a wide variety of geological formations. Best of all, we can walk alongside all of these amazing features and enjoy them in full. Mwenezi River: The Simuwini gorge has remarkable potholes and waterfalls, wide meandering sandy sections fringed with tall riverine vegetation. To top this off are some stunning, deep, permanent water holes at Rossi pools. Plus the river winds around the aptly named Buffalo bend. Rundi River: Downstream from Chipinda Pools the Rundi river descends into the chasm of Chivalila Gorge, after a dramatic waterfall, the river continues through steep gorges as it winds its way ever closer to the Save river confluence where it widens to a huge meandering sandy river. The lush alluvial flood plain is dotted with Ilala palm forests huge mahogany, ebony and fever trees and iconic baobabs to set the scene where all types of wildlife abound.  Sunset over Rundi River - Image Credits Mike Scott Khangela Safaris 5. Gonarezhou has unique landscapes and photographic panoramas The Rundi river has carved its way through the sandstone to leave the well known Chilojo Cliffs which stand close to 190 meters tall. Close by are the two well-known natural pans Tembwehata and Machinwa. They host unusual African lungfish and giant freshwater terrapins, and are also both packed with birds, fish and large mammals. On the Mwenezi river, iconic places like Buffalo bend, Simuwini gorge and Rossi Pool are on our doorsteps and easy to access on a Gonarezhou safari trip.  Chilojo Cliffs - Image Credits Mike Scott Khangela Safaris These are our five reasons why this park should be on the top of your list next year. If you’re interested in a Gonarezhou safari send Mike an email today and he’ll set up a personalized trip itinerary tailored to fit your needs.
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"Incredible Stay in Mana Pools" I spent five nights in Mana Pools with Mike Scott and the Khangela team, and was blown away with both the wildlife and how well the trip was executed. We spent two nights in Chitake Springs, where we had excellent views of lion and elephant on foot, as well as a wild dog kill near camp during the night. We then spent three nights at the waterfront on the border with Zambia - the setting for this camp was stunning - where we were lucky enough to encounter the famous Mana Pools dogs on foot, as well as the famous Boswell. Mike is an excellent guide, who was highly responsive to the demands of a group who had plenty of experience in Africa. He put real effort into finding the dogs, as this was very much at the top of our wish list. Mike is highly knowledgeable and conscientious, going out of his way to respond to my queries before the trip and being thoroughly accommodating throughout my stay. A huge shout out must also go to Bernard, whose tracking skills are unparalleled, and Mickey,who catered for us expertly. I'm already planning a further trip with Khangela in future - the cheetah of Hwangwe and rhino of Matobo are next on the list! *This review was originally published on safaribookings.com July 8 - July 12 Mana Pools. We have space for 4 additional people. July 20 - July 24 Hwange Trip. We have space for 2 additional people. Pick up and drop of Victoria Falls. 28 July - 11 August Mana, Matobo and Hwange. We have space for 1 additional person. Pick up Harare and drop off V.Falls. 12 August - 15 August Hwange Trip. We have space for 4 additional people. Pick up and drop of V.Falls. 14 September - 17 September Mana Pools. We have space for 4 additional people. 12 October - 17 October Mana Pools. We have space for 3 additional people. 12 November - 15 November Hwange Trip. We have space for 4 additional people. Space available for tailor-made trips between 1 July to 19 July and 27 August to 20 September. October Open for bookings. November Open for bookings. If you'd like to join any of the trips or start your own you can contact Mike here.  "Just arrived back in Harare after an incredible 5 nights in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe. Mana is magical and all of my images were captured on foot, well mostly on my belly, quite close to my subjects. We managed to come across resting lions on one of our walks and sat with them for the afternoon. It is the first time I have been so close to lions on foot and without a vehicle in sight. The cats were very relaxed with our presence but did keep a close eye on us. Of course the highlight of the adventure was not captured with my camera, we had been trying to find Mana's Wild Dog pack but unfortunately had no luck. I was feeling a little disappointed about this but for anyone that has spent time with dogs in the bush you will know that they can be ghosts and hard to find at the best of times. We were in the middle of packing up camp on the final morning and I was walking around on the edge of the camp looking at the overnight spoor when I heard the sound of a stampede. I looked up to see a large herd of Impala running straight towards me and guess what was chasing them..... the painted ones. I was smack bang in the middle of a wild dog chase! The impala and dogs ran straight past me. I was completely frozen! The dogs looked like torpedoes of fur! It was an experience I will never forget. Massive thanks to Mike and the Khangela Safaris team for an amazing few days in Zimbabwe. I cannot wait to come back in 2019 and show this special part of the world to my guests." - Bobby Jo Clow from Duma Safaris (Mana Trip , August 2018) April 8 - 12 Hwange (Zimbabwe)
Pick up and drop off: Vic Falls May 14 - 18 Hwange (Zimbabwe) Pick up and drop off: Vic Falls May 12 - 23 Lugenda River (Mozambique) 14 day Lugenda River Expedition Space available for adventurers! June 26 - 30 Gonarezhou (Zimbabwe) Gonarezhou Special Trip. July 4 - 8 Hwange (Zimbabwe) Hwange Special Trip - space available. July 11 - 15 Hwange (Zimbabwe) Hwange Special Trip July 18 - 29 Hwange / Matobo / Mana (Zimbabwe) Hwange / Matobo /Mana Pools August 30 - September 8 Mana (Zimbabwe) Mana Pools Special Trip - fully booked. September 27 - October 3 Hwange (Zimbabwe) Hwange Special Trip - space available. Around these dates there is free space for any sort of individual trips catered to your wishes. Write Mike an e-mail to inquire. August 13 - 4 September Zambezi River River Monsters with Jeremy Wade. Mike will be taking care of the Animal Planet River Monsters film crew who will be tackling environmental issues. This trip will focus on the Zambezi river. September 5 - 14 Mana Pools Pick up / drop off Chirundu. Full moon at Chitake Springs. More downtime on the River front. Space available on this game-packed safari, send Mike an e-mail if interested. October 1 - 5 Hwange Pick up/ drop off Vic Falls. Full moon game viewing over packed water holes. Space available. Book now!   Part II of a the Central Mozambique Reptile Expedition with Krystal Tolley, Gabriela Bittencourt, Simon Loader, Werner Conradie and Hermengildo Matimele. Many new undescribed chameleons and amphibians were found. Check out the full photo album and story here.
 These trips are running and still have space, many other dates are still open for inquiries.
Send me an e-mail for dates and rates. April 29 - May 2 Hwange Walking and game driving safari May 22 to May 26 Hwange Walking and game drive safari June 3 - 15 Hwange, Matobo and Mana Pools Pick up Vic Falls, drop off Harare, Walking and Game Drive Safari May 6 - May 20 Mozambique Lugenda River canoe adventure. Contact me for details of these trips and more. |
