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Zimbabwe🇿🇼 | national parksGonarezhou National ParkRed Chilojo Cliffs, Runde River, baobab tracks, lowveld remoteness | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Gonarezhou
🏆 Top picknational park ranked #4
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Gonarezhou is not a bolt-on to Great Zimbabwe or Kruger; it is a wild, roadless-feeling park in its own right, and most people underestimate how remote it is. It sits in the southeast of Zimbabwe, in the Lowveld near the Mozambique and South Africa borders. Roads are sand and rock, so a high-clearance 4x4 is the norm, and there is no fuel or shop inside the park. Carry spare fuel and food from Chiredzi, and you are set. The reward is red Chilojo Cliffs glowing above the Runde River, big elephant herds, and almost no other vehicles. Walking is limited to guided outings, because predators roam freely, so book a ranger walk instead of striking out alone. At the Chipinda Pools gate I photographed the posted road map before driving off, since signal vanishes fast, and you should too. Your first day can mean a gate check-in, a slow river drive, and a ranger-led walk before dusk.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #4 national park in ZimbabweWhy Gonarezhou should be on your travel list

Gonarezhou National Park suits backpackers who like to plan their own days and don’t mind doing the work. There are no guided-tour crowds here, and a camp spot costs far less than a lodge bed in neighboring parks. You set your own pace along the Runde and Save rivers, stopping when a herd of elephants crosses the track. Wildlife viewing is up close because so few vehicles share the roads.
The landscape is the second draw. The Chilojo Cliffs glow rust-red above the Runde, and you can walk beneath them on foot with a ranger. Add Chipinda Pools and the Mwenezi river country and you get variety that few Zimbabwean parks can match. The trade is logistics, since you must bring a capable vehicle or join a transfer. Travelers who enjoy figuring things out will love it. Anyone wanting a ready-made itinerary … read more 👉
Gonarezhou National Park suits backpackers who like to plan their own days and don’t mind doing the work. There are no guided-tour crowds here, and a camp spot costs far less than a lodge bed in neighboring parks. You set your own pace along the Runde and Save rivers, stopping when a herd of elephants crosses the track. Wildlife viewing is up close because so few vehicles share the roads.
The landscape is the second draw. The Chilojo Cliffs glow rust-red above the Runde, and you can walk beneath them on foot with a ranger. Add Chipinda Pools and the Mwenezi river country and you get variety that few Zimbabwean parks can match. The trade is logistics, since you must bring a capable vehicle or join a transfer. Travelers who enjoy figuring things out will love it. Anyone wanting a ready-made itinerary will probably be happier elsewhere. Camp in the park itself and the bush becomes your whole evening, with the sounds of lions and hyenas as the soundtrack.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Chilojo Cliffs: Sheer sandstone walls in red and ochre rising above the Runde River. Elephants and impala drink at the foot of the cliffs, and the view from the top is the park’s signature shot.
  2. Runde River: The park’s lifeline, lined with riverine forest. Hippos, crocodiles and large elephant herds gather along its banks, especially late in the dry months.
  3. Chipinda Pools: Deep permanent pools on the Runde where hippos grunt all day. Shaded camping and short walks make it an easy place to linger.
  4. Mwenezi River: A quieter southern watercourse with fishing eagles, kudu and good birding. Fewer people come here, so you often have the track to yourself.
  5. Tembwahata Pan and Ndlovu Camp area: Open pans and hot-season water holes where buffalo and elephants concentrate, good for sitting and waiting.
  6. Baobab
… read more 👉
  1. Chilojo Cliffs: Sheer sandstone walls in red and ochre rising above the Runde River. Elephants and impala drink at the foot of the cliffs, and the view from the top is the park’s signature shot.
  2. Runde River: The park’s lifeline, lined with riverine forest. Hippos, crocodiles and large elephant herds gather along its banks, especially late in the dry months.
  3. Chipinda Pools: Deep permanent pools on the Runde where hippos grunt all day. Shaded camping and short walks make it an easy place to linger.
  4. Mwenezi River: A quieter southern watercourse with fishing eagles, kudu and good birding. Fewer people come here, so you often have the track to yourself.
  5. Tembwahata Pan and Ndlovu Camp area: Open pans and hot-season water holes where buffalo and elephants concentrate, good for sitting and waiting.
  6. Baobab country: Huge baobabs stand along the lowveld tracks, some wide enough to shelter a whole camp. Pull over for photos at sunrise or just before dusk.
  7. Mabalauta and the Save-Runde junction: Remote country near the confluence, with big skies, riverine birds and a real sense of wilderness.
For a first visit, the Chilojo Cliffs are the one to prioritize, since they combine the park’s best view with easy riverside game spotting.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

May to October is the window when Gonarezhou National Park is open and most workable for backpackers, because the park’s roads are passable and animals gather along the Runde and Save rivers.
  • Cool Dry Season (May to August): Days reach 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), nights drop to 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Light bush makes game easy to spot. This is the busiest stretch, so book camps early. Days are about 11 hours long.
  • Hot Dry Season (September to October): Highs climb to 32 to 38°C (90 to 100°F). Animals crowd the few remaining water sources, and the Chilojo Cliffs glow in the afternoons. Heat makes midday walking miserable.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Temperatures sit at 30 to 36°C (86 to 97°F) with heavy storms. Tracks turn to mud and the park usually closes to visitors from around mid-November
… read more 👉
May to October is the window when Gonarezhou National Park is open and most workable for backpackers, because the park’s roads are passable and animals gather along the Runde and Save rivers.
  • Cool Dry Season (May to August): Days reach 24 to 28°C (75 to 82°F), nights drop to 8 to 12°C (46 to 54°F). Light bush makes game easy to spot. This is the busiest stretch, so book camps early. Days are about 11 hours long.
  • Hot Dry Season (September to October): Highs climb to 32 to 38°C (90 to 100°F). Animals crowd the few remaining water sources, and the Chilojo Cliffs glow in the afternoons. Heat makes midday walking miserable.
  • Wet Season (November to April): Temperatures sit at 30 to 36°C (86 to 97°F) with heavy storms. Tracks turn to mud and the park usually closes to visitors from around mid-November to April. Birdlife peaks, but access does not exist.
Plan your dates around the official opening, and expect camp rates to rise in July and August.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: excellent for travelingOCTOctober: excellent for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Camp inside the park, because Gonarezhou National Park has no hostels and the nearest towns are hours away by road.
Parks and Wildlife run basic campsites at Chipinda Pools (the main hub, on the Runde River), Chilojo Cliffs, Mabalauta and Chilojo. Expect shared ablutions, firewood, and no shops, so bring all food and water. Chipinda Pools also has simple lodges and chalets if you prefer a roof. Some riverside camps are unfenced, so you sleep with elephants wandering past.
For more comfort, private operators run tented camps such as Mutirikwi-area and Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge (on the Save side, outside … read more 👉
Camp inside the park, because Gonarezhou National Park has no hostels and the nearest towns are hours away by road.
Parks and Wildlife run basic campsites at Chipinda Pools (the main hub, on the Runde River), Chilojo Cliffs, Mabalauta and Chilojo. Expect shared ablutions, firewood, and no shops, so bring all food and water. Chipinda Pools also has simple lodges and chalets if you prefer a roof. Some riverside camps are unfenced, so you sleep with elephants wandering past.
For more comfort, private operators run tented camps such as Mutirikwi-area and Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge (on the Save side, outside the park boundary), priced from roughly US$150 and up per person. These suit splurges rather than tight budgets.
Base towns are Chiredzi (about 1 hour from Chipinda Pools by road, with supermarkets, fuel and guesthouses at US$25 to 60) and Masvingo (about 3 to 4 hours away, with more backpacker-friendly lodging and a good supply stop). Stock up in Chiredzi before entering. Mabalauta in the south is reached via Mwenezi, where fuel and basic supplies are limited.
Best hostels in Zimbabwe


Best quality hotels in Zimbabwe

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A realistic budget for Gonarezhou National Park is about US$110 per person per day when you self-drive, camp and cook your own food.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$15 to 20 per dayForeign visitors pay daily park fees, plus a small vehicle fee, at the gate.
CampingUS$15 to 30 (high season)Basic Parks campsites with shared ablutions. Off-season rates run slightly lower, though the park is mostly closed in the rains.
LodgesUS$60 to 150Chalets or private tented camps, a splurge for most backpackers.
Local transportUS$20 to 40Fuel or shared 4x4 hire costs. No public transport reaches the park, and fuel is pricey and scarce.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 25Buy groceries in Chiredzi or Masvingo; there are no shops inside the park.
Guide or ranger walkUS$15 to 20Optional but recommended for
… read more 👉
A realistic budget for Gonarezhou National Park is about US$110 per person per day when you self-drive, camp and cook your own food.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$15 to 20 per dayForeign visitors pay daily park fees, plus a small vehicle fee, at the gate.
CampingUS$15 to 30 (high season)Basic Parks campsites with shared ablutions. Off-season rates run slightly lower, though the park is mostly closed in the rains.
LodgesUS$60 to 150Chalets or private tented camps, a splurge for most backpackers.
Local transportUS$20 to 40Fuel or shared 4x4 hire costs. No public transport reaches the park, and fuel is pricey and scarce.
Food and suppliesUS$15 to 25Buy groceries in Chiredzi or Masvingo; there are no shops inside the park.
Guide or ranger walkUS$15 to 20Optional but recommended for walks along the rivers.
Total Daily BudgetUS$110Camping, self-catering and a shared vehicle.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsPlan your hike in Gonarezhou: routes, terrain, and sights

Gonarezhou National Park is better known for game drives than waymarked trails, but walks with a ranger or guide are widely done and are the best way to feel the bush at ground level. Terrain is flat lowveld with sandy river beds and rocky outcrops, so expect heat and loose sand.
  • Chilojo Cliffs walks: Short strolls along the base or the top of the red cliffs, usually one to three hours, easy to moderate. Views over the Runde River and its elephants are the highlight.
  • Runde River bank walks: Guided morning walks from Chipinda Pools, about two to four hours, easy but sandy. You pass hippo pools, riverine
… read more 👉
Gonarezhou National Park is better known for game drives than waymarked trails, but walks with a ranger or guide are widely done and are the best way to feel the bush at ground level. Terrain is flat lowveld with sandy river beds and rocky outcrops, so expect heat and loose sand.
  • Chilojo Cliffs walks: Short strolls along the base or the top of the red cliffs, usually one to three hours, easy to moderate. Views over the Runde River and its elephants are the highlight.
  • Runde River bank walks: Guided morning walks from Chipinda Pools, about two to four hours, easy but sandy. You pass hippo pools, riverine forest and abundant birdlife.
  • Multi-day wilderness walks: Some operators run guided overnight trails with camping and ranger escorts, moderate to hard and dependent on the season.
  • Wildlife: Elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, hyena, nyala and wild dog are present. Walking without a ranger is not allowed in most areas, and you should keep to guidance if you meet big game.
Getting to Gonarezhou National Park is the hard part. There is no public transport to the gates, so most travelers come in a 4x4, a hired vehicle or a lodge transfer from Chiredzi, the nearest town. Tracks become impassable in the rains, and the park is usually closed through that season. Crowds are minimal, even in peak months. An entrance fee is charged per person and per vehicle, payable at the gate, and a good paper map plus extra fuel is wise.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Gonarezhou National Park is remote and wild, so the main risks are self-reliance, heat and elephants rather than crime.
Game drives and walks happen in an area with big herds of elephant, buffalo and lion. Stay inside your vehicle or camp zone at dusk, keep food locked away, and never walk between camps without a ranger or guide. Give elephants plenty of room and back away calmly if one approaches. Hippos and crocodiles live in the Runde and Save, so keep clear of the water’s edge.
Roads are sandy and rough, and a high-clearance 4x4 is needed. Carry two spare tires, a recovery kit, extra fuel and at least 5 liters of water per person per day, since there is little mobile signal. Summer heat is intense, so start early and rest at midday. Malaria is present, so take prophylaxis and cover up in the evenings.
Check Country Safety

FAQTraveler FAQ

Plan on 3 to 5 days for Gonarezhou National Park. The park is large and roads are slow, so Chipinda Pools and the Chilojo Cliffs alone take two days, while adding Mabalauta in the south needs another two.
Without your own vehicle, Gonarezhou National Park is difficult but possible through a guided tour or transfer from Chiredzi, about 1 hour from Chipinda Pools. No public buses enter the park, and walking between camps is unsafe because of elephants and lions. Most backpackers share a high-clearance 4x4 hired in Masvingo or Harare.
Yes, Gonarezhou National Park charges daily entrance fees of roughly US$15 to 20 per person, plus a vehicle fee, paid at the gate or through Zimbabwe Parks. Camping costs an additional US$15 to 30 per night, and bookings are advised from May to October. The park is generally closed to visitors during the rainy season, so confirm dates before traveling.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Gonarezhou National Park pairs well with a loop through Zimbabwe’s southeast, with the ruins of Great Zimbabwe near Masvingo on the way in. You could also finish in Mozambique’s Limpopo corridor or cross to South Africa’s Kruger. I would carry extra water, spare tires and cash, and spend at least three nights so the long drive is worth it.

✈️ When did I visit Zimbabwe?
I have backpacked Zimbabwe all the way back in 2001.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Zimbabwe, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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