National park · Zimbabwe
Gonarezhou National Park
Enter Gonarezhou for a 3‑day self‑drive safari: pay the entry fee at Chipinda Pools gate, drive to Chilojo Cliffs early for best light, and stay May–Oct to avoid closures.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
5,053 km² (1,951 sq mi)1,951 sq mi (5,053 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
May–Jun, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zimbabwe ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zimbabwean government sources; if you will cross to Zambia, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zimbabwe ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or border posts.
- Zimbabwe ↗Bring enough US dollars in small, clean notes; do not rely on ATMs or foreign cards outside Victoria Falls, Harare and lodges.
- Southeastern Zimbabwe ↗Zimbabwe national park entry is paid in US dollars at the gate; carry cash — card machines are unreliable outside Harare and Victoria Falls.
- Southeastern Zimbabwe ↗Self-driving is possible on the Harare–Masvingo and Bulawayo–Masvingo tarred roads; the last stretch into Gonarezhou is gravel and best in a high-clearance vehicle.
At a glance
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Area
- 5,053 km² (1,951 sq mi)1,951 sq mi (5,053 km²)
- Second‑largest park in Zimbabwe (source: Wikivoyage).
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- May–Jun, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe's second‑largest protected area, offers remote lowland wilderness, massive elephant herds and dramatic sandstone cliffs along the Runde River.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
5,053 km² (1,951 sq mi)1,951 sq mi (5,053 km²) · national park since 1975
Second‑largest park in Zimbabwe (source: Wikivoyage).
Why go
- Remote wilderness with large elephant herds and diverse habitats.
- Spectacular sandstone cliffs at Chilojo and river valleys.
- Low visitor numbers give genuine game‑viewing experiences.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanPark closed 10 Jan–1 Mar.
- FebPark closed.
- MarRe‑opens, still cool.
- AprDrying, good wildlife.
- MayStart of dry season, roads improve.
- JunDry, good game viewing.
- JulHot, but dry.
- AugHot, dry.
- SepStill dry, cooler evenings.
- OctEnd of dry season, wildlife concentrated.
- NovRoads may flood later in month.
- DecApproaching closure period.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ElephantsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyenaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)Jun–Oct · Rare sightings. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds (450+ species)Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chipinda Pools Gate | Main entrance, visitor office, parking, and start of main roads. | Open with entry fee. |
| Chilojo Cliffs area | Scenic sandstone cliffs along the Runde River. | Road access; 4×4 recommended. |
| Mwenezi River valley | Riverine wildlife, campsites, and walking routes. | Roads and guided tracks. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points; exact locations may vary.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (Chipinda Pools gate) | US$20 | person | 2026 estimate; check official site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Park rules
- 4×4 required
- Most tracks need high‑clearance 4×4; two‑wheel drive only on some dry‑season roads.
- Guides
- Required for walking safaris and any off‑road tracks outside the main road network.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites; no open‑site camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited at all picnic sites.
- Wildlife safety
- Keep distance from elephants, hippos and crocodiles; do not approach rivers alone.
Where to stay
In the park
Swimuwini Rest Camp
Self‑catering camp on the Mwenezi River, basic facilities.
Near the park
Chiredzi town
Hotels, hostels and supply stores; 1 h drive to gate.
Safety
Elephant encounters high
River hazards (crocodiles, hippos) high
Vehicle breakdown medium
Malaria medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by 4×4; short walks to parking.
- Cliff viewpoints involve steep, uneven tracks; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Carry‑in, carry‑out all waste; no littering.
- Buy food and supplies in Chiredzi to support local economy.
- Use licensed guides and operators to ensure park fees stay within the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gonarezhou National Park?
The entry fee is about US$20 per adult at Chipinda Pools gate (2026 estimate; verify with the park office).
What are the best hikes in Gonarezhou National Park?
The Chilojo Cliffs drive and the guided walking safaris along the Runde and Mwenezi valleys are the most popular routes.
When is the best time to visit Gonarezhou National Park?
May to October offers dry roads, good wildlife viewing and avoids the January–March closure.
Can I self‑drive in Gonarezhou?
Yes, with a high‑clearance 4×4; a guide is required for off‑road tracks and walking safaris.
Are there any park closures I should know about?
The park closes to ordinary visitors from 10 January to 1 March and many remote tracks close later in the wet season.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go