Activities and rules
Things to do in Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou is built around two things the Trust states plainly: self-drive game viewing and wild camping. Around that core sit the Chilojo Cliffs, guided walking with third-party operators, catch-and-release tigerfishing and a genuine Shangaan cultural programme.
Self-drive game viewing: the core of the park
The Trust describes self-drive game viewing as the park's primary offering, and the whole place is set up for it: a network of wild campsites, long river-front drives along the Runde and Mwenezi, and internal roads where a capable 4x4 and a full fuel load matter more than a guide. This is one of southern Africa's great parks for people who want to do it themselves.
Guided open-vehicle game drives do exist, but note the catch: they require a minimum of six people, so small parties should plan around self-driving or a private operator instead.
The Chilojo Cliffs
The marquee drive in the park leads to viewpoints over the Chilojo Cliffs, a wall of red-orange sandstone about 180 metres high that runs some 20 kilometres along the south bank of the Runde. Late afternoon light turns the whole face to fire, and the Trust's Chilojo Bush Camp sits on the river directly opposite for those who want to wake up to it.
Treat the cliffs as a half-day at minimum: the river crossings and viewpoint tracks are slow going, and this is not a landscape to rush.
Walking safaris
Guided walking is offered through registered third-party operators rather than by the Trust itself; Khangela Safaris is the named specialist for multi-day walking trails and mobile safaris in the park. Minimum ages, rules and rates are not published anywhere official, so arrange details directly with the operator.
A shorter option on the boundary: a roughly 3 km walking trail leads to Chivilila Falls on the Runde, arranged from Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge.
Fishing: tigerfish, on strict terms
The Runde, including the Runde Gorge, is the headline water for tigerfish, alongside bream and tilapia, from a park-wide fish list of more than 50 species. The rules are strict and worth knowing before you pack rods: fishing is for overnight visitors only, at designated sites only, a permit is required, and everything is catch-and-release with no fish removed. The permit fee itself is unpublished, so ask when you book.
One thing you may see advertised elsewhere and should not count on: canoeing. No operator could be confirmed as currently offering it, including the lodge on the river, so treat any canoeing copy you read as unverified.
Starbed nights and wild camping
The Trust's starbed platforms at Bhenji Weir, Malugwe and Gorwe are the park's version of the sleep-out: raised open-air decks above pans, one of them built three metres up an ancient leadwood tree, from $60 per person for locals and $120 international. Combine one starbed night with a few wilderness campsites and you have the definitive Gonarezhou itinerary.
All of it is booked by email through reservations@gonarezhou.org; there is no online booking system.
Shangaan culture
Community engagement is a documented pillar of the Trust's work with the Shangaan and Tsonga people around the park, from the Mphfuka Movement launched in 2018 to the mapping of cultural heritage sites with names like Shadreck's Office and Bvekenya's Baobab, relics of the area's ivory-poacher folklore. On the boundary, Chilo Gorge offers a Mahenye village homestead experience including palm-wine tapping.
There is no separately published community levy or activity price list, so ask the Trust or your lodge what is available when you visit.
Park rules
- Motorbikes are not permitted anywhere in the park.
- Carry in, carry out: all waste leaves with you.
- Report at your entry gate; visitors entering at Sango or Boli must report to the Mabalauta office first.
- Camps are mostly unfenced and wildlife moves through them at night, so keep food secured and use a torch after dark.
- Give elephants with calves a very wide berth.
- Wear earth tones rather than bright colours, especially if you plan to walk.
- Night-driving, pet and firewood policies are not published; assume the conservative answer and confirm with the Trust.