6 Days Zimbabwe Safari to Gonarezhou National Park
This 6 Days Zimbabwe Safari to Gonarezhou National Park will get you to hike between all those remote spots. Every night we will camp in a different spot. Mike Scott your professional guide, will ensure your safety and entertain you with stories and facts about the bush. We will make our trail walk down the Mwenezi River. Participants should be comfortable carrying their small day pack for about 3 hours each morning as we move camps.
During this unique Zimbabwe Safari, you'll embark on a slackpacking trail that combines the authenticity of wilderness hiking with the comfort of a fully supported camping experience. The Zimbabwe Safari follows the magnificent Mwenezi River as it carves its way through diverse habitats, providing an intimate connection with nature that conventional vehicle-based safaris simply cannot match.
Your Zimbabwe Safari journey through Gonarezhou National Park reveals a wilderness largely untouched by mass tourism, where wildlife roams freely across vast landscapes. The specialized walking format of this Zimbabwe Safari allows for an immersive exploration of the park's unique ecosystems, from riverine forests to mopane woodlands, offering encounters with elephants, nyala, and countless bird species in their natural habitat.
Tour highlights
Exclusive slackpacking hiking safari along the pristine Mwenezi River
Exploration of ancient elephant paths through unique Ironwood forests
Opportunities to spot rare Nyala antelope and Pel's fishing owl
Fully supported camping with all equipment carried by a backup vehicle
Expert guides sharing intimate knowledge of Gonarezhou's ecosystems
Authentic wilderness experience far from tourist crowds
Encounters with Gonarezhou's famous elephants and diverse wildlife
Comfortable camping with delicious meals prepared over open fires
Price Includes:
- Park fees and conservation levies
- All activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transport in 4WD custom safari vehicle
- Bottled water during transfers and hikes
- Full board camping accommodation with all meals
- Service of English-speaking professional safari guides
- Driver allowances and park fees
- All camping equipment (tents, mattresses, camping chairs)
- Backup vehicle to carry camping equipment between sites
Price Excludes:
- Zimbabwe Visa (where applicable)
- International and internal flights
- Personal needs such as gratuities and beverages
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Laundry services
- Travel and health insurance
- Tips for guides and camp staff
- Alcoholic and additional non-alcoholic beverages
Itinary in details
- Day1Bulawayo to Gonarezhou National Park
Your Zimbabwe Safari begins with a collection from Bulawayo, followed by a scenic 7-hour journey eastward to the remote Gonarezhou National Park. This Zimbabwe Safari transfer takes you through the changing landscapes of southern Zimbabwe, arriving at the Mabalauta entrance of the park by late afternoon. Your Zimbabwe Safari guides will establish the first camp while sharing insights about Gonarezhou's unique ecosystem and preparing you for the hiking adventure ahead.
- Day2Hiking Down the Mwenezi River
The Zimbabwe Safari adventure continues with an early morning start as you break camp and begin your hike along the spectacular Mwenezi River, known locally as "Hunyani." This immersive Zimbabwe Safari experience brings you face-to-face with the park's diverse wildlife, including elephants that have shaped the landscape over millennia. Your Zimbabwe Safari guides interpret animal tracks and signs throughout the 4-5 hour walk before establishing a new riverside camp in the late afternoon.
- Day3Exploring Mwenezi River
Day three of your Zimbabwe Safari takes you deeper into Gonarezhou's wilderness as you follow ancient elephant paths through the unique Ironwood (Androstachys johnsonii) forests. This Zimbabwe Safari hike covers approximately 12 kilometers through varied terrain, showcasing the diverse vegetation of southern Gonarezhou. Your Zimbabwe Safari experience is enhanced by the remoteness of this area, far from roads and other visitors, culminating in a new camp location with meals prepared under the African stars.
- Day4Mwenezi River
Your Zimbabwe Safari continues with another early start and camp breakdown before heading further along the Mwenezi River toward the area locally called "Makwakwani." The Zimbabwe Safari trail today explores both riverine habitats and inland game trails, covering about 10 kilometers of unspoiled wilderness. Your Zimbabwe Safari guides will point out bat colonies and search for the elusive Pel's fishing owl during this leg of the journey, ending at a carefully selected campsite for your wilderness dinner.
- Day5Mwenezi River Safari
The Zimbabwe Safari experience intensifies as you explore the wildlife-rich areas around the confluence of smaller tributaries with the Mwenezi River. Your Zimbabwe Safari guides will focus on tracking larger mammals, particularly the park's famous elephants and the shy nyala antelope found in this sector. This Zimbabwe Safari Day includes shorter walking distances of 6-8 kilometers, allowing more time for wildlife observation and photography before returning to your final wilderness camp.
- Day6Last Day in Gonarezhou National Park
The final day of your Zimbabwe Safari begins with an early breakfast before breaking camp for the last time. Your Zimbabwe Safari concludes with a rendezvous with the transfer vehicle at a predetermined pickup point after a short 3–4-kilometer farewell walk. The Zimbabwe Safari experience ends with the return journey to Bulawayo, approximately 7 hours away, with memories of one of Africa's last true wilderness areas to treasure forever.