Image taken from http://www.privateguidedsafaris.com/gonarezhu-bush-camp.html
As you may have heard us mention several times before on our blog, we’re huge advocates of private guided safari experiences. Whether you’re visiting for an Africa safari honeymoon, 30th wedding anniversary, or a family vacation, exploring the African bush with a private safari guide gives you the flexibility of having all of your experiences focus primarily on your interests. In other words, everything is catered around your needs and personal preferences.
One of our favorite, private guide providers is Private Guided Safaris, which is a boutique provider, offering privately guided safaris in twelve African countries. Each trip is guided by Anthony, a third-generation Zimbabwean, and occasionally Rawana who was born and raised in Kenya.
Image taken from http://www.privateguidedsafaris.com/index.html
The duo recently launched their own mobile tented camp, nestled in the sprawling plains of the Gonarezhou National Park in Southeastern Zimbabwe. The camp, which remains in one location for the duration of your stay, moves throughout the year within the park, depending on where the richest concentration of wildlife lies. One of the most exciting camp sites is off the banks of the Runde River where the red Chilojo Cliffs jut high above the horizon. Just near the cliffs is a flood plain and seasonal pans that beckon wildlife to congregate.
After Ant and Rawana held their first guided trip in the camp in May, Ant ventured to Kenya to guide a 10-day safari for a new adventure travel company, Epic Quest, while Rawana worked on preparing the camp’s new menu and finding a chef.
As the safari season trailed off into winter, the nighttime and mornings were very cold, while the day unraveled into searing heat. Although the temperature fluctuations were dramatic, it was still an exciting time to be on safari and cozy up by the fire at night.
Rawana sums up her experiences in Gonarezhou National Park quite perfectly:
“It is difficult to put into words how beautiful Gonarezhou National Park is. The sandstone cliffs stand like sentinels over the Runde River, glowing sometimes pink, sometimes orange. The sun sets were spectacular, either over the giant baobabs or over the quietly flowing water in the sand river bed, always punctuated by the cries of the Egyptian Geese flying low over the sand and the Fish Eagles’ calls as they settled down for the night. It is remarkable that we are the only safari operator using such a huge expanse of wilderness that is so little known even to most bush loving Zimbabweans. Long may it last!”
In the past several months, the duo had some exceptional sightings and wildlife interactions within the park that included large tusked elephants—which are rare to see—robust hippos, curious mongoose, lion prides, and leopards.
Image of the Gonarezhou Bushcamp, taken from http://www.privateguidedsafaris.com/gonarezhu-bush-camp.html
On a recent trip Ant and Rawana guided in Gonarezhou National Park, they witnessed lions kill a warthog in the Runde riverbed during a morning game walk. During an evening drive at Malilangwe, one of their vehicles broke down nearly 50 metres from a pride of lions. Everyone quietly exited the car and began pushing it to push start the vehicle. But every time they took a step, the ground would rustle beneath their feet and catch the attention of a large lioness who was curious to see what the team was up to. By the time they got the vehicle started again, the lioness had made her way 20 metres from the group!
During this same trip, Ant, Rawana, and their camp guests ventured to Mana Pools National Park where they saw two bull elephants duke it out with their dense husks. Another elephant they witnessed sat straight up on his back legs to grab some branches from an Albida tree.
Also spotted on this trip were the honey-badger, bush pig, leopard, monkeys, squirrels, and wild dogs.
Aside from the exceptional game drives and walking safaris, Gonarezhou National Park also boasts remarkable fishing opportunities. Specifically, the tiger fish is among one of the most exhilarating fishes to catch with its gapping mouth and massive girth.
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Tags: Gonarezhou, syndicated, Zimbabwe
