v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Chilojo Cliffs — Towering red sandstone walls that cut a dramatic line against the sky. The colours at sunrise and sunset are unreal, and the cliffs give you that “I’m actually in the middle of nowhere” feel. (My personal favorite — you won’t want to stop taking photos.)
- Runde River corridor — The lifeblood of the park: riverine forest, oxbow pools and permanent water attract elephants, hippos and a dense mix of wildlife. Walk or drive along the banks for close, classic African river scenery.
- Large mammals and elephant herds — Gonarezhou literally means “place of elephants.” Expect sizeable, often relaxed herds, plus buffalo and the occasional lion or leopard. The animals here feel wilder because the park is so remote.
- Rugged walking trails and guided hikes — Trails aren’t manicured tourist
- Chilojo Cliffs — Towering red sandstone walls that cut a dramatic line against the sky. The colours at sunrise and sunset are unreal, and the cliffs give you that “I’m actually in the middle of nowhere” feel. (My personal favorite — you won’t want to stop taking photos.)
- Runde River corridor — The lifeblood of the park: riverine forest, oxbow pools and permanent water attract elephants, hippos and a dense mix of wildlife. Walk or drive along the banks for close, classic African river scenery.
- Large mammals and elephant herds — Gonarezhou literally means “place of elephants.” Expect sizeable, often relaxed herds, plus buffalo and the occasional lion or leopard. The animals here feel wilder because the park is so remote.
- Rugged walking trails and guided hikes — Trails aren’t manicured tourist paths; they’re proper bush walks. Guided hikes take you into quieter parts of the park where tracks, birds and small mammals are easier to spot. Not for first-time solo hikers—go with a guide.
- Birding hotspots — From riverbirds and waterfowl to raptors riding the thermal updrafts off the cliffs, the park is a treat for birders. Bring binoculars; you’ll pick up species you won’t easily see in more crowded parks.
- Scenic lookouts and photogenic panoramas — Small, scattered viewpoints along the escarpments and river bends offer sweeping vistas of the valley below. Great for golden-hour photos and tiny moments of solitude.
- True remoteness and night skies — Few other parks in southern Africa give you this combination of big landscapes and very few people. That means excellent stargazing, quiet campsites and the real feeling of wilderness.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.