Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - Gonarezhou National Park
- Hannah Marson
- Oct 3, 2025
- 2 min read
This is a permanent safari lodge on the banks of the Save River which is one of the boundary rivers of Gonarezhou National Park, along it's North Eastern boundary. The view from the lodge is along the river and into the park and the lodge itself sits within a private community conservancy. The lodge was built in the late 1990's so the design and some of the facilities are not very modern but I don't feel it is a big distraction and you do have wi-fi and cell phone coverage here.
Activities on offer here give you a mix of game drives and bush walks within the park or you could go and visit the local Mahenye Community who live nearby. If you are a keen birder then a walk in their sand forest close to the village is well worth it as there are some nice specials possible here, like Gorgeous Bush Shrike and Green Malkoha. There is also a nice waterfall not far from camp which is a very pretty sun downer spot as well. The camp also offer full day game drives into the park which takes you right over to the famous Chilojo Cliffs with a packed lunch. Other highlights here are the massive natural pans of Tembwahata and Machiniwa which have a wonderful density and variety of wildlife so spending time watching what happens around the pans is always a very worthwhile experience. One part that is a challenge here is that lions are certainly here but not easily seen more heard, and another consideration is that if you are here in the rain months and just after from December through to June crossing the Runde River can be a challenge when you go into the park so it will include a short boat ride over the river before getting into your safari vehicle, which can be part of the adventure but also frustrating if you are chasing that early morning photographic light.
New videos on Friday's!
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - Gonarezhou National Park
