Visit Chizarira National Park

Chizarira is Zimbabwe's 3rd largest national park, with a hugh population of four of the Big Five animals with the rhinos missing . The terrain is excellent for leopard, and there is a good variety of herbivore. Its main attraction is its enormous wilderness appeal. Walking safaris are a big part of the experience. Arguably Zimbabwe’s third largest National Park and indisputably the most remote wilderness area, Chizarira national park derives its name from the Batonga word “Chijalila” which means “The Great Barrier”, an orientation of phenomenal mountains and copious hills that form a fabulous portion of the Zambezi Escarpment. The terrain in the park is craggy, punctuated with ragged mountains, intensely incised by gorgeous gorges and awesome gulches. In the intensely impenetrable valleys, sandwiched by the unique open plain rests the lush vegetation comfortably suckled by vibrant natural springs. This has made the park an amazing place to appreciate nature.

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Overview: Chizarira National Park

Chizarira National Park lies in Northern Zimbabwe. At 2,000 square kilometres (490,000 acres), it is the third-largest national park in Zimbabwe, and also one of the least known because of its isolated situation on the Zambezi Escarpment. It has good wildlife populations and some majestic scenery. The name of the park comes from the Batonga word chijalila, which translates into English as "great barrier", referring to Zambezi Escarpment, of which Chizarira’s rough terrain forms a part.

Measuring approximately 2000 km2, sublimely lies on the Zambezi escarpment, bursting with an enormous variety of flora and fauna, Chizarira National Park is one of the most rugged, untamed and pristine national park in Zimbabwe. Whether it is very rough terrain, magnificent rivers, thick impenetrable bushes, open scenic plains or wonderful forests Chizarira has it all.

The northern portion of the park is situated within the Southern Miombo woodlands ecoregion, while the southern part is located within the Zambezian and Mopane woodlands ecoregion. The escarpment falls steeply some 600 metres (2,000 ft) to the Zambezi River valley floor and offers magnificent views towards Lake Kariba, 40 kilometres (25 mi) north. Rivers such as the Mcheni and Lwizikululu have cut almost sheer gorges in the escarpment. At the north eastern extremity of the park lies Tundazi, a mountain on which, according to local legend, resides an immense serpent, the river god Nyaminyami. The southern boundary is marked by the Busi River which is flanked by floodplains supporting winter thorn Faidherbia albida woodlands.

Chizarira National Park, plays host to most of the expected plains wildlife as well as megafauna such as African elephant, lion, leopard and Cape buffalo. There are also many species of smaller wildlife, including the klipspringer, known for its ability to thrive in near-vertical rocky outcrops. Chizarira has a large variety of bird life and hundreds of species have been sighted within the Park. Sought after birds recorded include the African broadbill, Livingstone's flycatcher, yellow-spotted nicator, African emerald cuckoo and the rare and elusive African pitta. Chizarira is also home to the Taita falcon which breeds within the Park.

How to get there: Chizarira National Park

From Victoria Falls take the Bulawayo Road and turn left towards Kamativi at Cross Dete, into Binga Road and turn right along the Siabuwa road at the 133 kilometre peg and Follow this dirt road and turn right at the 47 kilometre peg where there is a sign “Chizarira National Park”.
From Harare drive to Kwekwe, then Gokwe to Binga tarred road for 120 km until you see a Binga sign post to the left. Follow the dust road towards Binga via Siabuwa Business Centre until you see a sign indicating “Chizarira National Park” at the 47 kilometre peg
From Bulawayo, along the Victoria Falls road, turn off at Gwayi River on the Lubumbi road at the 246 kilometre peg. Follow the road for 96 kilometres towards Lusulu and turn left at the sign post written “Chizarira National Park” the Park headquarters is 70 kilometres beyond this sign.
Visitors may also charter light aircraft and land at the airstrip near the Park headquarters. Prior arrangements must be made for this option.

What to take with you

You need to have your full camping equipment, food supplies, gas stove or you can use firewood and water though there is river water. At Mucheni View and Mucheni Gorge running water is available.

Attractions: Chizarira National Park

Mucheni View; which is characterised by a fabulous slope, decorated by eye-catching perennial trees, amazingly knitted in a hap hazard fashion and very enticing to watch.
Mucheni Gorge; A perfectly sculptured incredible feature, it is only at this place in Africa, if not the world where one would see the back of an Eagle.
Wildlife: Chizarira National Park is home to four of the most sought after big five, which are: the Leopard, the African Elephant, the Buffalo and the king of the jungle, the Lion. Also found in the National Park is the Kudu, Waterbuck, Eland, Common Duiker, Nyala, Hyena, Impala, Antelopes, Wildebeest, and many other lovely small plains games.

Activities:

Guided Walks
Lion tracking
Wilderness Trails
Gorge Walks
Mountain hiking
Researching
Self-Game drives
Lake Kariba sun set viewing

Where to Stay: Chizarira National Park

There are a lot of undeveloped camp sites in the park which include;

Mucheni View; Located on the edge of the Zambezi Escarpment with spectacular views of the Zambezi Valley floor and cool breezes. There is a thatched shelter, a long drop toilet and braai stand, water is available from the Park headquarters 4 km away.
Mucheni Gorge; Situated on the edge of a gorge, there is a thatched shelter, a long drop toilet and braai stand, water is available from the Parks headquarters 3.5 km away.
Kaswiswi 1; Situated on the upper reaches of the Rwizilukulu River, 6 KM from the Park headquarters, the camp is equipped with an ablution block, braai stand and raised pole and thatch bedrooms called “Ngazi” styled after the traditional shelters of the local Tonga tribe.
Kaswiswi 2; About 500 metres from Kaswiswi I, on the confluence of the Kaswiswi and Rwizilukulu Rivers. Equipped with a campsite and braai stand, water is obtained from the nearby natural spring. An excellent camp for birders, 4×4 vehicles are necessary for access.
Maboola; Equipped with an ablution block and braai stand and situated on the banks of the Mucheni River, below the Manzituba Spring.
Busi; Situated 40 KM from the Park headquarters on the scenic Busi River and is home to large herds of buffalo and elephant and lions. Access to this camp requires 4×4 and high clearance vehicles, close by are flood plains with Acacia albida trees.

Overview

How to get there

Attractions

Where to stay

Found in the National Park is the Kudu, Waterbuck, Eland, Common Duiker, Nyala, Hyena, Impala, Antelopes, Wildebeest

Chizarira is Zimbabwe's 3rd largest national park, with a hugh population of four of the Big Five animals with the rhinos missing

Chizarira has a large variety of bird life and hundreds of species have been sighted within the Park

Arguably Zimbabwe’s third largest National Park and indisputably the most remote wilderness area