Gonarezhou National Park is situated in the south eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe and covers an area in excess of 5 000 square kilometres. “Gonarezhou” meaning “Place of many Elephants” is an extremely scenic Park full of rugged and beautiful landscapes.Alternative folklore suggests the are was named for the herbalists who would stock their medicines in tusks (known as gona in the Shona language).

Gonarezhou National Park is Zimbabwe’s’ 2nd largest national park rivalling Hwange National Park. The park covers over 5000 square kilometres and borders South Africa’s’ Kruger National Park and the Limpopo National Park of Mozambique, the three parks make up an area that is known as ‘The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park’ which is in total 35 000 square kilometres of untamed wilderness. The Save, Runde and Mwenezi rivers flow through the park attracting the numerous species of wildlife especially birdlife, the river teeming with numerous species of fish.

Guest activities on offer at Gonarezhou National Park are walking and fishing safaris and there is accommodation available on site in the form of bush camping.Three major rivers – The Save, Runde and Mwenezi – cut their courses through the Park, forming pools and natural oases from which hundreds of species of birds, wildlife and fish gather to feed and drink. As its name implies, Gonarezhou is famous for its elephants, and many of the largest-tusked elephants in the region maybe found within the Park.

Park size: 5053 km²

Proclamation: 1975

GETTING THERE

To Chipinda Pools from Chiredzi

From Chiredzi follow the A10 towards Mutare, 17.8 KM turn right (south) at the Chipinda Pools sign post,

50.3 KM turn left for Chipinda Pools, 55 KM turn right for Chipinda Pools, 55.6 KM arrive at Camp site.

To Chipinda pools from Masvingo or Beitbridge

Turn off the A4 Beitbridge to Masvingo Road at the Mwenezi Police Station turn-off, about 19 kilometres south of Rutenga. Proceed down the dirt road about 3 kilometres and turn left at the entrance to the Police Station – the signboard indicates Mwenezi Ranch HQ and Chikombedzi. Follow this road for 60 kilometres to Chikombedzi Business Centre. Do not turn off this road. Turn right after entering Chikombedzi Business Centre at a 4-way intersection where a ZPWMA sign indicates the route to Gonarezhou, Mabalauta. 77.3 KM turn left at the sign for Gonarezhou. Follow this road around a small dam and DO NOT turn off it, 83.6 KM pass turnoff to Zhou School, 86.9 KM pass Gonarezhou National Park boundary, 109.2 KM pass road joining from left, 111.4 KM reach Warden’s Office, Mabalauta