Chizarira National Park Zimbabwe

50 kms east of Binga in the province of Matabeleland
North on the Zambezi Escarpment between Lake Kariba
and Victoria Falls.

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Geography

The park is some 1910 sq.kms in size and consists of
undulating, dissected plateau decending in the north
from wooded ridges, mountains, and rocky valleys to
the 500m escarpment overlooking Lake Kariba.

Known as Zimbabwe's most scenic park with its steep
gorges, falling steeply to the Zambezi River valley floor
offering panoramic views.

The park includes some low-lying country along the
Busi River in the south-east and is domianted in the
north-east by the 1371 meter high Mount Tundazi.

Vegetation

Due to the generally higher rainfall of the plateau
areas, the vegetation is similar to that usually found
further east in Zimbabwe.

Much of the plateau is dominated by drier miombo
woodland with mopane and open grasslands.

Scrublands occur towards the west and at low altitudes
in the south-east.
The gorges support riverine communities

Wildlife

Elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, lion, leopard, cheetah,
zebra,warthog, and a range of antelope including
roan and tsessebe.

Birdlife

There is an abundance of birdlife including the
African Broadbill, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, Yellowspotted
Nicator, Emerald Cuckoo and the rare and elusive
Angola Pitta, Taita Falcon, crowned eagle, fish eagle,
Meyer's parrot. golden-tailed woodpecker, brown-hooded
kingfisher, and red-billed wood hoopoe.

Accommodation

Chizarira National Parks has 7 exclusive bush camps
for the real wildlife enthusiasts.
Each of the camps is usually limited to a party of
12 persons.

Visitor Facilities

Chizarira has very few services and food suppliers,
fuel spares and camping equipment must be taken
with you

Visiting times

The Park is usually open to visitors all year round,
with restrictions on local movement being imposed
during the wet season.

Attractions & Activities

hiking trails - game viewing - camping at the edge
of the gorges - bird watching - escorted backpacking
wilderness trails - daytime escorted walks

Road Conditions

Roads suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles only.

Getting There

There are three main routes by road into
Chizarira National Park.

Giraffe From Victoria Falls take the Bulawayo Road
and turn left toward Kamativi at Cross Dete.
From Kamativi follow the Binga Road and turn right
along the Siabuwa road at the 133 kilometre peg.

Follow this dirt road and turn right at the 47 kilometre
peg where there is a sign indicating ‘’Chizarira
National Park’’.
This undulating road leads you up the escarpment
for 20 kilometres to the Park headquarters.

If you are using the Harare-Bulawayo Highway,
one turns toward Gokwe at Kwekwe. At Gokwe take
the Binga tarred road for 120 kilometres until you
reach a T-junction with a sign post indicating Binga
to the left. Take this dirt road towards Binga via
Siabuwa Busness Centre until you see a sign indicating
“Chizarira National Park” at the 47 kilometre peg.
Turn left and proceed for 20 kilometres to the Park
headquarters.

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.