Gonarezhou July 2023

[AndreasR]

Mike and I had discussed doing this trip this year sometime. I thought yeah sure, let’s see if he gets back to me. Sure enough in June he contacted me and the wheels were set in motion.

Booking was done for July. The process was incredibly easy as the staff at Gonarezhou are extremely efficient and most helpful. We obviously did not get the prime camps due to our late decision to go.

We decided to do the adventurous route via Pafuri, across the Limpopo, through Mozambique and entered the park at Sango border crossing. The days travel was not too arduous other than the Mozambique officials all wanting a handout which is very annoying. Crossing the Limpopo looked much more terrifying than it actually was.

Our first night was at Mabalauta Camp which is the headquarters of that side of the park where we had to check in. We also managed to change our booking to include a very nice camp near the confluence of the Runde and Save rivers.

All camps are either overlooking a river or a pan/dam and all very well located with good privacy. The camps are unfenced with a long drop and some have a braai facility. Nice basic bush camping.

We stayed two nights at each of Chilojo, Chimalavatu and Bopomela camps with a final night at Chipinda Pools.

The reserve is an absolute gem. Very few visitors. Lots of game. Lots of elephant. Great birding. Beautiful bushveld. Nice river crossings. Stunning vistas.

For our return trip we opted to tackle Beit Bridge which was actually a breeze. All done and through in 45 minutes.

Strangely, or not, Zimbabwe is really becoming a great destination. People are so friendly and helpful. No issues with officialdom.

I would highly recommend a trip to this awesome reserve.

[AndreasR]

Some pics.

[Mad Manny]

Thanks Andreas, funnily enough, I was going to text you earlier today;
"Why are you so quiet, you working on your Trip Report?".
Luckily I got distracted by the over-acting All Blacks taking the Wallabies to Pound Town.

That concludes 53 days of Overlanding over the past 103 days.
Well done! You must be exhausted...


11 Views

[Mike-PS]

Thanks for the update Andreas.

I’ll be brief.
By far the best trip I have done - 10 days of wild camping was a bit rough but worth every second

This is also by far the best reserve I have ever visited and makes you feel like you back in prehistoric times, portal’d back in a Time Machine. So pristine and untouched with complete isolation from the rest of the world and arseholes.

Also we found a gem of a camp site on the SA side before the Pafuri gate called Nthakeni Bush camp, if any of you are up there and looking for a awesome camp spot.

Gonarezhou is a definite bucket list destination - better than Bots in my opinion

[Mike-PS]

[Mad Manny]

Sounds awesome!
When are we going?

[Bertus Roos]

Hi Andreas

We are planning to do the same route in June 2024. Maybe you can provide some info:

Pafuri to Sango border. We are 3 vehicles with trailers. How is the road condition and river crossings?
How long to travel from Pafuri to Sango?
Will we be able to reach Rossi Pools from Pafuri in 1 day?

In the park we are booked, Rossi Pools (2 nights) , Chipinda Pools (2 nights) and Chivilila (2 nights)
Any general advice ? What to do/see and what to avoid?

Regards

Bertus

[AndreasR]

I have replied to your PM on your google account.

[Bugger]

Beautiful area it seems

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