Gonarezhou National Park Part 1: General Overview
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 พ.ค. 2024
- This is Part One of a Seven-Part “Into The Wild Zimbabwe” series on Gonarezhou National Park, presented by Gus Le Breton. In this episode, Gus gives a general overview of the Park, outlining some of the key attractions and reasons to visit. A MUST WATCH video for anyone contemplating visiting the magnificent Park.
Grateful thanks to the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, Dave Brazier, Buck O'Donoghue and Jo Craig for their support and assistance in making this video.
For more information on Gonarezhou, please see: gonarezhou.org/
For more videos from Gus Le Breton’s “Into the Wild Zimbabwe” series, check out these links:
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guslebreton.com/
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![ตรงที่เดิม - ฝน พรสุดา [ต้นฉบับ :เบส ขวางหวัน]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/c5YnbGEztI8/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for flying our flag 🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼🇿🇼 up
Thank you! I'm a 100% proud Zimbo and always looking for a reason to fly that flag. Luckily this beautiful country gives me lots of good reasons!
Beautiful footage, thank you for sharing! 🐘🌱
I visited Gona Re Zhou on about 60 different occasions in the 1990s, a Belgian teacher based in Norton, Sandringham High School. My good friend Bruno was a Belgian teacher at Hippo Valley High School, and he introduced me to Gonarezhou (different ways of writing); sadly he was murdered a few years later, in Zambia. I fell in love with the place, got to know so many spots quite well, Chinguli, Chilojo View Point, Kundani Hill, the lower Lundi Camps, of which I liked Chitove the most. Nights spent at Bengi I or II, Massasanya Dam, Machiniwa Dam, Nyavasikana, Pombadzi, Makonde Pool, the Samalema Gorge... Swimuwini Rest Camp, my favourite spot in all of southern Africa, ... I tried to take every road available to tourists, and once made it from north to south via a road closed off to tourists, what did I know when from Nyamtongwe I found myself driving south, ending up at the Gweru-Maputo railway close to Nyala Siding. Grootvlei, Chiqualaquala in Mozambique and Chikwarakwara and Chiturupasi in Zimbabwe, the Save-Runde confluence, I have so many memories. I read and re-read the books of Mr. Allan Wright, DC in the 1950s-60s (these books no longer available in Zimbabwe at the time, but I found several copies in the second hand book shops in Long Street, Cape Town), the book by Dr. Colin Saunders, John Osbourne's books, all the stuff I could lay my hands on, The Ivory Trail, ... Kept all the information on my computer, and collected maps, ... of the region. Still do. In a second-hand shop in Harare, Treasure Trove, I found some military maps of the region, used during the bush war, never knew what the writings/symbols added meant, perhaps used during Operation Hurricane, I still have those. I never went back since the year 2000, and much has changed, politically, and probably in the park. My first lion (near Chinguli), my first leopard (at Swimuwini Rest Camp during the great drought), my first wild dogs at the back of the Chilojo Cliffs, some serious chasing by elephants at times made the experience sometimes hair-raising ... I experienced the great drought of 1992, when I saw a blackheaded oriole drop from its branch to the ground at Chipinda Pools, it sadly died in my hands. That harsh Warden at the time, Headman Sibanda, got to know him quite well, always cross with us ... but we learned how to play him, just keep smiling and be patient, ... Elias Libombo at Mabalauta, I hear he's still with the park, perhaps he'll remember us, those with the 'zebra landrover', bit Daktari-like ... There are so many memories, Tambuti Lodge, Planters Inn, the tremendous heat of the 'Suicide Months', Sept-Oct. Exploring the Save-Runde confluence I accidentally crossed into Mozambique, there was no signpost, no border post (some corrugated iron shacks), until a sign was seen 'Distrito de Massangena, Mavué) and I knew it was time to get back to Zimbabwe, for the civil war was still raging across the border. Even the elephants turned back at the border, they knew it was dangerous to cross into Mozambique. I visited Mahyene, Boli, Chibgwedziwa (the Pebbly Pool), went boozing at Malipati village, Lone Star Ranch (where I once met the legendary Ray Sparrow), ... Took many photos. In 1997 I took Headman Ngwenyenye, based at Malipati, back to his old home at Marumbini, the headman and four of his sons/kin, for a week, watched them catch fish at Chitove, they found their old home, bulldozed in 1968, paid tribute (sacrifice snuff tabacco) at the graves of his ancestors, now overgrown, and dug up the remains of an old gun, just the bent barrel remaining, ... I liked this old headman, visited him many times in his kraal, his wives, his cousin Edgar Maphimi, ... I'd read about this man's father in the Wright books, tried several times to locate his kraal, and when I found him in 1995 (the son the Headman Ngwenyeni of the book) I told him I arrived from Marumbini, his old home from which his people had been forcibly removed when the park was created, I saw the tears in his eyes. It was then that I promised to take him back to his old haunts, one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. Took him to Chiredzi afterwards, to collect his monthly wages as headman, handed out by the government (a pittance, really), him wearing his best costume. I once gave a lift to a very, very old man between Malipati and Dumisa, en route to Crooks' Corner, and he claimed to be 102 years old, still have his photo; he spoke Afrikaans, for many of the men had gone to work in South Africa, and my language is Dutch. I never liked it to be called 'boss', just because of the colour of my skin, and it pained me that the old man called me by that name. Those tough Shangaans of the south-east lowveld. My heart still longs back to 'the Gona', as Mr. Wright concludes in his book: 'A mopane man dreaming', 'the call of the wilderness is very, very strong'. Greetings, y'all.
Wow Johan, I don't why I've only just seen this now! Amazing. I was also around at that time in the early 90s. You probably remember Charlie Groy, the crazy taxonomist who worked for the Lowveld Branch of the Wildlife Society. I used to stay with him whenever I was in the area. You never knew what dead animal you would find when you opened the fridge to grab a beer! If you ever want to come back for a visit to Gonarezhou, give me a shout and I'll organise!
@@AfricanPlantHunter I remember Groy, although we met only a few times through his wife who was a teacher at Hippo Valley High School. I once found a dead wild dog on the road near Kariba, its head crushed by a lorry or bus I think, and respectfully threw it in the bushes to clear the road, a young male. Groy told me that he would have flown to Kariba to collect the carcass, had he known. Maybe one day I'll revisit Gona re Zhou, which has given me so many memories, north and south, the central part, Guluene-Chefu, at the time still closed off to tourists. But I was taken once to the Gonakudzingwa Restriction Camp, what was left of it, near Sango. Some bored border officials took me and two friends through the minefield to visit that camp, where the fundaments of Joshua Nkomo's old toilet could still be seen. Back via the borderline through the mine fields, where goats roamed freely. We were then allowed into Mozambique, Chiqualaquala, for an hour or so, the border closed at the time. There were no officials at the Mozambican side, so we strolled through town, grand railway station for such a small place, ruined carrages, ... the church full of bullet holes, a swimming pool destroyed using machine gun, ... We were subsequently arrested for entering Mozambique illegally, and had left our passports at the Zimbabwe side, so it took a lot of arguing to be released, after which the border officials, CID in long coats from the Zimbabwe side, came to seek us out and we had more explaining to do. Later it was easier to cross there, and I visited Chiqualaquala (sandgrouse in Shangaan, as you will well know) several times, having cold beers at the 'market place', some wooden constructions. I remember Groy telling me that he took his (Mercedes?) jeep from the garage after servicing, after which a guy jumped in front of it, commiting suicide. Tambuti Lodge and Planter's Inn, and the country club, .... The small concrete structure built by the South African group Four Jacks and a Jill (their most famous song Master Jack) on the banks of the Mwenezi River, Wright's Tower, Manyanda Platform, ... I had a hell of a time. Stay healthy and safe, greetings, Wilfried Sterk (Johan is my second name), from far-away Belgium.
Beautiful story
Woow you guys do need a Gona R Z re-union.. would like to join you too.. and just hear you talking and be my Tour guides... Beautiful places remain beautiful even by memories
2:56 👁🌲👀🌲😅🤣🤣🤣 _personal point of view_
your video series inspired us ... we are going in October. thank you for doing this video series.
Thank you, I'm so pleased to hear that you've been inspired. I've just come back from another visit to Gonarezhou, and it was as special as ever. Such an incredible park. You will enjoy it. Just be prepared for some high temperatures and make sure you have plenty of ice to keep your drinks cool!
THANKS GUS. AWESOME VIDEO
Thanks Melo, glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for all your videos on the parks in Zim.
You really give us an idea of what goes on up there, and you give us some very good info and insight as there is little information online relating to most parks in Zim.
All the best.
Thanks. I'm glad they're helping lift the veil on our parks. Zim is still a really beautiful country!
Hi Gus,
This is the best Info Video I have ever seen of any place. Thank you kindly! 🙂
Gonarezhou has been on my bucket list for a while now... time for action!
Great video thanks Gus,
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
Probably the best National Park in Zim but I grew up in Triangle so I have bias.
My second choice would be Kyle Recreational Park
Gonarezhou National Park always had a sign at the entrance that I loved.
"Take nothing but photos - Leave nothing but footprints"
I hope it is still there
Thank you! You create awesome content!
Thanks so much!
Hi, thank you for your videos - maybe you have answered this before. We are travelling next year June / July. I wanted to know if you can mention any really essentials that we need to take with stuff that you would maybe not think of. Or any recommendations on how to travel with your water. Any good tanks / inflatable options / cans etc. - anything that will work best in your opinion.
I enjoyed your videos Gus. Thank you for showing the other side of our country Zimbabwe 💕😘👏
My pleasure!!
Keep it up...was lead to this place after watching your Baobab fruit video..
Thanks so much, glad you're enjoying!
Loved it informative. Will ensure we visit and relax
Please do!
Hi Gus, thank you for making these videos. May I kindly ask if you recommend tent camping (my own tent) in Gonarezhou in December (rain season)
Love this vidoe.. are there any cycades in the park?
Nice one Gus. Just how secure are the camping sites from lions and stuff. Sorry for what might be a silly question but I've never camped in a game park before
That's a good question. The answer is that none of the camps in the Park are secured from the wildlife, and animals can wander freely through pretty much all of the camp sites. That's part of the thrill of Gonarezhou - you might have elephant ambling through your camp at any time. Generally, if you stay in your camp site and don't go walking out and about, you will be fine. The wildlife understands and knows that this is your territory and won't trouble you here. So, although the camp sites are not protected, I would say you are pretty safe in them. What is definitely not a good idea is to go walking around outside of the camp sites, because at that point you are in the animals' territory and they might take umbridge at finding you there!
@@AfricanPlantHunter Thank you sir. I am quietly cheerib you on to find Zim's plant that we can see go commercial. Have you looked into the Manicaland plants like tsenza, nhundurwa, etc. Sorry I don't know their English names but I am sure you'll be the guy to sort it all out. God bless sir
Hi Gus, we have loved your video's - thank you! Our trip to Gonarezhou has been postponed twice before due to COVID, but we are hoping to get there this year. Currently we are 3 families booked into Swimuweni for first and last nights in the park. In between are are at Chipinda Pools (sites 7, 8, 9) for 2 nights, Chilojo 1 for 3 nights, Chamulavati for 3 nights and then Gayiseni for 2 nights before heading back down to Swimuweni for a night and then out of the park. The friends travelling with us are worried that 12 nights will be too long in the park and are trying to get our trip down to 8 or 9 nights in total. The problem is, what do we cut out? Please can you help us?
thanks so much, Kim
Hi Kim, firstly, thanks so much for your kind words and support. I'm thrilled you are.going for such an extended stay. You will really enjoy it! Ypu have a wonderful itinerary and I can see the difficulty I trying to make cuts! I do have a few suggestions though. I would definitely plan a stop in the middle of the park, at least in one direction. I love Malugwe platform as an overnight stop. Of your current camps you could probably drop Gayiseni, as it is close to Chamulavati. And maybe shave a night off Chilojo. But hey, personally I would want to go for as long as possible!! Enjoy your trip and please share feedback afterwards!
@@AfricanPlantHunter Thank you so much Gus. We have amended our trip and very much in line with what you suggest, so thank you again.
The campsites look amazing! Busy planning a trip there in June this year. Is there any shops outside the park that sells meat ?
Yes, there are good butcheries in Chiredzi not far away from Chipinda Pools.
Any affordable one night walking safaris at Gonarezhou you can suggest ?
Great question. Unfortunately one night safaris are hard to organise just because the logistics are significant. But try Lowvel Wanderers in Chiredzi. They may be able to assist. Otherwise you can hire a ranger for a walk of a few hours though not, sadly, overnight.
@@AfricanPlantHunter Thank you for the detailed reply. I'll contact Lowveld Wanderers to enquire about a day walk with a ranger.
Thank you creating such beautiful content. Is mobile network good in this area?
Thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying. There is no mobile network in Gonarezhou, so please make sure you've done all your communicating before you arrive!
African Plant Hunter no probs. Thank you!
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I can't disagree with any of that!