GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK.

Gonarezhou National Park located in Southeastern Zimbabwe. Its situated in a relatively remote corner of Masvingo Province, south of Chimanimani along the Mozambique border. Owing to its vast size, rugged terrain and its location away from main tourist routes, large tracts of Gonarezhou remain pristine wilderness.

At 5,053square kilometers, Gonarezhou is the country’s second-largest national park after Hwange National Park. That name means the Place of Elephants translated from the Shona Language.

Gonarezhou National Park forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a peace park that links Gonarezhou with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. Animals can move freely between the three sanctuaries. The northeastern end of Gonarezhou is located within the Zambezian and mopane woodlands, while the southwestern end is located within the Southern Africa bushveld ecoregion.

HISTORY OF GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK.

The Gonarezhou National Park was first established as a protected area in 1936 as a Game Reserve, eventually being proclaimed a National Park in 1975. The park has had a turbulent history and was closed to the public during the Rhodesian War and again during much of the Mozambique civil war but was re-opened in 1994. Between 1994 and 2007, the Gonarezhou National Park was wholly managed by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, however the economic challenges in Zimbabwe up to 2007 meant that there was little reinvestment in infrastructure and protection of the Park. In 2007, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority entered into a financial and technical assistance model for the Gonarezhou National Park with the Frankfurt Zoological Society. This model lasted up until 2017 and focused on investing in infrastructure and the protection of the Park’s resources. In March 2017, management of the Gonarezhou was handed over to the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, a co-management partnership between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society. This co-management model, overseen by a board of trustees represented equally by both partners, was created to establish a platform to enhance investment into the long-term sustainability of the Park – a key feature of which being the retention of tourism funds at a Park level for direct reinvestment into the Gonarezhou

Fauna

Historically the park has been a habitat for the endangered Cape wild dog and in 2010 there were several sightings of wild dogs in the park. It is thought that the cross-border link to national parks in Mozambique would be the best opportunity to restore or preserve the viability of this species in adjacent national parks, in South Africa and Mozambique. Other mammals that inhabit the park are elephant, giraffe, hippopotamus, Cape buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, black and white rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyena.

The Gonarezhou National Park is one of the iconic wilderness areas of Africa, with relatively few tourists but boasting an amazing diversity of landscapes, features, and growing wildlife populations. By far, the most well-known and prominent feature of the Park is the Chilojo Cliffs sandstone cliffs towering 180 meters high and running for some 20 kilometers along the south bank of the Runde River. Other key features in the north of the Park are the two large natural pans, Tembwahata and Machanu, formed at the junction of the Save River and Runde River. In the central and southern areas of the Park are the Naymtongwe Plateau, a remnant of the Chilojo Cliffs, the Ntambambomvu Red Hills, densely wooded hill slopes standing above the Malvernia sand beds and the Mwenezi River Valley, and the Samalema Gorge, where the Mwenezi River carves through solid igneous rock-forming a braided river gorge

Accommodation at Gonarezhou National Park.

Swimuwini Rest Camp-managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Authority, this is self-catering accommodation on the Mwenezi River and among these include, Chilo lodge.

Some of the activities carried out at Gonarezhou National Park

This national park is about experiencing the untouched wonders of Zimbabwean Lowveld.  A variety of activities are available in Gonarezhou for all visitors overnight and day) offering a completely personalized vacation. Take a trip into the wild and experience the true Gonarezhou Wilderness first-hand.

Self- Drive Experience

Gonarezhou is 5000 square Kilometers of unspoilt nature and wildlife, providing wonderful game-viewing opportunities. You will enjoy game viewing from the control of your own vehicle. The animals are used to motor vehicles, so you can take great photos and the roads are well maintained. So it is a comfortable drive.

Bird watching.

The Lowveld generally provides even the most selective bird opportunities and the national park is said to have recorded over 400 different bird species within this national park.

Come and discover the ultimate bird watching and blossoms (bring safari offers tailor- made trip on which species you want to find

Sunrise and sunset chasing experience

The build-up of clouds makes for the greatest awe-watering sunrises and sunsets that stop entering else to one fleeting moment-best enjoyed from the banks of the Runde or Mwenezi Rivers.

Scenic views experience

This is widely known as the unique experience wilderness character, and home to some of the most scenic views in the region. Visiting the park is an adventure to discover spectacular natural landscapes, awe-inspiring views of the Gonarezhou National Park

Fishing

This national park has a variety of lakes and rivers and with over 50 different fish species in the park, fishing is permitted in Gonarezhou, but the number of fishing sites are limited and fishing is restricted to overnight visitors. A fishing permit is required to am yourself with some fishing gear, and enjoy.

There are other known and lovely activities in this national park of which are enjoyed by visitors who come and experience this amazing national parks like picnics, photographs, guided safaris cultural experienced within the park and around the park