Set to become one of the worlds largest peace parks' Gonarezhou will
soon join with South Africa's Kruger and Mozambique's Gaza parks, in an
effort to maintain the ecosystem and biodiversity of the Southern
African region. Over 140 species of mammal can be found in Gonarezhou
despite the park being rife with poaching. Even in its infancy the park
was associated with large elephant bulls carrying precious ivory, which
enticed many to poach these gentle beasts. And this is perhaps the
reason today why the elephants are deemed dangerous to humans – they
shy away from the main roads and destroy local crops.
The huge expanse of bush extends over 5000km, that covers numerous
ecosystems – arid scrub, luscious water banks, marshy wet plains, and
thicket forest.
The Save, Runde and Mwenezi rivers flow through the park, creating
natural oases, sustaining a multitude of life during the raining summer
seasons. Every day hundreds of animals can be observed from secluded
platforms, drinking and playing in the cool waters. These platforms
hidden in trees over looking the drinking holes allow one to experience
game viewing at its best.
During the dry season water is pumped into man made water holes, which
attract the multitudes, sustaining the beauty and fragility of life
these animals live. Elephants, leopards, buffalo, nyala, sable -just to
name a few, frequent the watering holes, finding relief from the dry
terrain. Gonarezhou is also home to hundreds of bird species,
reptiles, fauna and flora as well as colonies of fish. The balance of
this eco-system relies on constant care and maintenance – it calls for
eco-tourism in its strictest form.
The Chilojo cliffs, over looking the Runde river valley are perhaps the
highlight of any trip to the Park. Visible for over 50km these sand
stone cliffs tell the story of times gone by- their lives sculpted by
years and years of sand deposits- layering thousands of times over. And
today, all can view these chapters of history, eroded and revealed by
the river. Its said that these multi-coloured layers capture the sun
light in such a way that you will never see them the same colour twice;
and as the evening sun sets, the silhouettes of baobabs line the sky,
creating the most picturesque setting. Folk law has it that these
upside down trees as they are commonly known, at some time offended
the gods, and were duly punished to live with their roots as branches
for eternity.
The park is open all year round, however during the heavy rainy seasons
(November to April) some access roads are restricted. Finding
accommodation in the park is an easy task- both the Mabalauta and
Chipinda camps are open all year, and caravan parking is permitted.
The rainy season also brings with it great fishing – the Save River
transforms from a dry river bed into a throbbing course of water,
brining relief to the animals and rejuvenating the aquatic life. The
waters are rife with black bream, the famed Zambezi shark and fresh
water gobi. But as the season changes the river dries to reveal deep
holes in the river bed where currents of water have eroded away the
rock leaving amazing whirl pool cavities over 3m deep.
You could drive for hours and not see another person, or sign of
civilisation, and I think that that is what makes the Gonarezhou so
great. – Sarah Brown. Sarah@venues4africa.com www.venues4africa.com