Private14 days
Singita Pamushana, Matobo, Sabi Sands & Cape Town
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From $25,500 per person
View this trip
Zimbabwe · Greater Limpopo TFCA
Gonarezhou
“The place of elephants” — 5,053 square kilometres of rivers, baobab country and red Chilojo sandstone.
Gonarezhou means “the place of elephants” and covers 5,053 square kilometres of red sandstone, baobab country and three major river systems.
The Chilojo Cliffs rise above the Runde River, while the park forms Zimbabwe’s part of the Greater Limpopo transfrontier landscape. Black rhino returned in 2021 and white rhino in 2025, re-establishing the Big Five.
“Gonarezhou is the Zimbabwe most travellers never see — and the Zimbabwe most Zimbabweans haven't been to. That's exactly the point.”
Best May–October 2 experiences Greater Limpopo TFCA
Recommended trips
Start here.
Gonarezhou is a connoisseur’s park. One route in, done properly.
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Guest review
What guests say about Gonarezhou.
A named guest, a real trip and a travel date.
We had Chilojo Cliffs to ourselves at sunset. Three hours of red rock and silence. This is what Africa was, and what most of it isn't anymore.
Mark & Jenny
Durban · 8-night southeast Zimbabwe, August 2025
Why ZimTravellers
One person plans your trip. He lives here.
ZimTravellers is not a call centre. Josh Elliott — fifth-generation Zimbabwean, owner of Matobo Hills Lodge — writes every itinerary himself, drives these roads, and answers every email within one working day. That changes what a trip here can be.
One local point of contact
You plan directly with Josh from first enquiry to the trip itself — one point of contact, whether the day is run by our own team or a hand-picked local operator.
Generations deep
Five generations in Zimbabwe. The guides, the border posts, the fuel stops — known first-hand, not from a supplier manual.
Direct WhatsApp line
WhatsApp Josh before, during and after the trip. Office hours Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 and Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT — replies within one working day.
Stories, not schedules
Routes built around what you want from the country — not a fixed departure sheet with your name added.
Tell Josh what you’d want from a few days in Gonarezhou and he’ll write you a route. No template, no commission desk.
Make an enquirySignature experiences
What Gonarezhou does best.
Gonarezhou
Chilojo Cliffs
Red sandstone cliffs above the Runde River, especially rewarding in low-angle morning or late-afternoon light.
Gonarezhou
Baobab forests
Some of the largest baobabs in Africa. The tree of life — and the cathedral of the southern part of the park.
Gonarezhou
Walking the rivers
Walking permitted along the Runde and Save. Hippo pods, crocodile sandbanks, elephant herds at water.
Gonarezhou
Cross-border wildlife
Greater Limpopo TFCA — animals move freely between Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa. Restored migration routes.
Recommended accommodation
Where we stay in Gonarezhou.
A short planning list, not a price promise. We confirm the right property, room and current rate for your dates before you commit.
Gonarezhou
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Gonarezhou stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →Gonarezhou
Gonarezhou Bush Camp
Gonarezhou stay · availability and current rate confirmed before your proposal.
Ask Josh about this stay →
Speak to Josh
Plan your Gonarezhou trip.
Tell me your dates, your party, and what you want from Gonarezhou. I’ll reply with a route and honest advice on what to skip.
Make an enquiry
WhatsApp Josh
+263 77 587 6661 · Mon–Fri 08:00–17:00 · Sat 09:00–13:00 CAT · Closed Sundays & public holidays
“I answer every email here personally — within one working day.”
Ways to travel
How do you want to do this?
Tailor-made
Your dates, your pace, your rooms. Josh writes the route from scratch around what you want from the country — most guests travel this way.
On the map
The deep south-east.
Charter flight to Buffalo Range (BFO): about 90 minutes from Harare, two hours from Victoria Falls. The drive from Harare runs seven to eight hours; we don’t recommend it.
- Combine with Great ZimbabweExplore trips →
- Combine with Mana PoolsExplore trips →
- Combine with HwangeExplore trips →
Every marker is a link — tap a region to open its page. Hold Ctrl (⌘ on Mac) and scroll, or use the buttons, to zoom.
When to travel
Twelve months in the wild south.
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● Peak◐ Shoulder○ Green season
May–October — peak. Dry and open. The herds hold to the rivers and the cliffs photograph best at last light.
November–April — closed season. Most camps shut and the roads go under. The park comes back online in late April.
All trips
Every Gonarezhou experience.
14 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Singita Pamushana, Matobo, Sabi Sands & Cape Town
Singita, Matobo and the Cape — Africa at its most polished
From $25,500 ppView trip →
12 Days · Private (max 8 guests)
Limitless Zimbabwe: Matetsi, Kariba, Matobo & Singita
Matetsi to Singita — Zimbabwe without compromise
From $24,050 ppView trip →
No trips match those filters here — tell Josh what you’re after and he’ll build it.
Frequently asked
Gonarezhou, answered.
Remoteness, charter-only access, and marketing that has historically focused on Hwange and Vic Falls. That is the gift of Gonarezhou.
Yes — all five present. Elephant in particular, in the thousands.
Mana is a Lower Zambezi floodplain known for walking and canoeing; Gonarezhou is larger, drier and defined by rivers, baobabs and Chilojo sandstone.
Three minimum. Five to combine Chilojo Cliffs photography, walking, and the southern baobab forests.
We don’t recommend it as a starter. Best for travellers who already know bush rhythm and want isolation.
Plan your trip
Zimbabwe’s emptiest park. That’s the point.
Tell Josh your dates and your party. You’ll get a route, straight answers, and a reply within one working day.