Distance from Chimanimani to Gonarezhou – 264km
Place of Elephants
Gonarezhou National Park, ‘Place of Elephants’, is the second largest National Park in Zimbabwe and situated in the South-East Lowveld. It covers an area of just over 5 000 km² and has a dense population of elephants, alluded to in its name. Mostly plains game inhabit this reserve including Impala, Kudu, Zebra, Nyala, Wildebeest, Eland and Giraffe.
The scenery is spectacular with vast open plains, amazing sunrises and sunsets and of course the iconic Chilojo Cliffs. These multi layered cliffs have been formed by the incision of the rivers flowing through the plains and they stand approximately 180m high.
The park is well run and visitors can camp or choose to stay in comfortable canvas tents or chalets. The chalets at Swimuwini are equipped with solar geysers, lights, fridge/freezers and fully-equipped kitchens.
The tented camp at Chipinda Pools, situated on the riverbank, offers elevated, fully furnished tents erected on concrete bases and with brick and mortar en-suite bathrooms and kitchens. Appliances include gas fridges and stoves. Lighting throughout is solar and solar geysers provide hot water.
If visiting Chimanimani it is definitely worth adding Gonarezhou to your itinerary and spending a couple of days “going back to nature” in this beautiful park.