Situated in Zimbabwe’s South-East Lowveld, Gonarezhou National Park spans slightly over 5,000 km² of breathtaking landscapes that include the famous Chilojo Cliffs, broad, winding rivers, and vast forests.

The Park is renowned for its distinct wilderness feel and is increasingly becoming recognized as a top spot for exceptional wildlife encounters.

With over 11,500 elephants living there, Gonarezhou National Park is home to one of the highest densities of elephants in Africa. The park’s name, which translates to “the place of elephants” in Shona, refers to this vast and pristine wilderness.

Comprising three countries, it is one of the largest protected areas on the continent.

Part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Parks, spanning three countries, Gonarezhou National Park is home to spectacular scenery, including the iconic Chilojo Cliffs, wide meandering rivers, and extensive woodlands.

The park is widely recognized for its unique wilderness character and is becoming increasingly popular as a premier destination for high-quality wildlife sightings.

Features Of Gonarezhou National Park

Two sizable natural pans, Tembwahata and Machanu, are located in the park’s north and were formed at the meeting point of the Save and Runde rivers.

The park’s most notable feature is the Chilojo Cliffs, a 20-kilometer stretch of towering sandstone cliffs that reach up to 180 meters in height along the south bank of the Runde River.

Other noteworthy features located in the park’s central and southern regions include the Naymtongwe Plateau, a remnant of the Chilojo Cliffs, the Ntambambomvu Red Hills, the Mwenezi River Valley, and the Samalema Gorge.

Wildlife In Gonarezhou National Park

Gonarezhou National Park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including giraffes, hippos, Cape buffalos, zebras, wildebeests, black and white rhinoceroses, lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas, in addition to elephants.

Historically, the park served as a habitat for the endangered Cape wild dog, and efforts are currently underway to restore or preserve the viability of this species in neighboring national parks in South Africa and Mozambique.

Animals are free to travel between the three sanctuaries as Gonarezhou National Park is a component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, the Kruger National Park in South Africa and the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique.