Gonarezhou Update

[rollacorolla]

We staying at Shingwedzi for the night of 5th July and doing the Limpopo on the 6th going on to Mabalauta for 6 and 7 July.
Want to join?

EbenH.

Thanks for the offer but I've already made bookings at Chipinda Pools and don't want to risk messing up the booking by attempting to change it. It was a real mission to get hold of Zim National Parks! Have a good trip

[martcassidy]

Just a very quick update. Had a week in Gonarezhou last week. What a magical place!! I don't think I have been in a park that is as beautiful - definitely the most beautiful campsites I've ever had. Zim police were friendly and no issues at road blocks etc. Beitbridge tested the team a bit on the way through with a 3 1/2 hour delay but just formalities really. Other than wanting to keep the place a secret I would really recommend it. P.S. If all you want is to see the Big 5 it might not be your place. Lots of animals but they are still very shy. You hear them at night and seethe spoor in the day but very few visuals.

[martcassidy]

[martcassidy]

[TRON]

Thanx Martcassidy, great photo's Pity about Beit Bridge and I assume no bribes were requested?

That last picture possibly a hyena spoor? Pointed toes maybe even the toenail mark in one toe print.

[MikevR]

Hi Little Red
Most the info you want is in my post above page 1 and Elsabe's note. PM me if you still need more info

Thanks MarkCassidy for great photos. Makes me want to revisit again

Cheers

[martcassidy]

Thanks Very much. Tron, spoor is definitely lion, aside from the size which you can't see in the photo, the three pads at the back are distinct of cats, hyena etc only have two. Size shows the difference between Leopard and Lion.

[Mike N]

Interesting, my BIL also visited Gona in the last week or what, in similar set-up to yours Mart, white Northwest registered Barbi Prado with trailer :-)

[martcassidy]

Mmmm...where are they from, chatted to one family we bumped into who were from Delmas area I think??

[TRON]

Hi Martcassidy, so right - 3 lobes at the back end of the spoor in cats. I believe this is only visible in the female spoor.

Attached are some spoor.

[Mike N]

Mmmm...where are they from, chatted to one family we bumped into who were from Delmas area I think??

Rustenburg

[Surveyor4x4]

Hi Community. Anyone going up to Mabaluata via Pafuri on 11 August by any chance? Looking for a convoy ........ Thanks.

[JamesV]

Hi, we go on the 5th if you are able to change dates.

Regards

[JamesV]

Hi Martcassidy, which river is the Prado crossing?

Regards

James

[customrv]

Good day all,

A quick update....

@Martcassidy, nice meeting up with you a few times on the trip


We got through Pafuri on Thursday at about 11:00 and got "fined" 100m further for not wearing a seat belt, could not argue with that.



Crossing the Limpopo was easy enough but at the first crossing, further down there was a channel washed out about 800mm deep. On the other side we could see the locals waiting and a blue tractor handy. The bank on the opposite side was very wet, even though we know we were the first to cross that day, suppose that's what the tractor was for. The 110HT and the P38 both well equipped we got out the bank with no issues when we were promptly stopped and asked for $5 passage. We just smiled and waved ......


Along the path to Chicualacuala we got stopped twice again, both times hinting for something ........ no big issues though.


Border crossing was not exceptionally painful, even the Zim side, only very slow. No engine number checking and fairly painless. R660 on the Zim side.


We were a bit late by now and at the park entry gate (was not there last time) we were told, turn left 5km further, well sign posted. Hmm, no sign post at the turn off I know so we went on. Then realised it was the top one he was referring to which was 25km away. We turned back and took the first one. This has become a twee-spoor and it was dark halfway down the track. We stopped in a dry riverbed and made minimal camp. 10min later the section ranger came past. He asked if all was ok and we explained we were not sure of the road and decided to wait for daylight. No problem he said and asked if were happy to stay there. No problem we said :-)


Second night at Mabalauta and the camp is in fair shape (most things working although in dire need of replacement) even running water in the campsite and hot water for shower. (check the donkey is stoked when you arrive). Went past Swimuwimi which looked well maintained with super views of the river bed below. A few km down the track to the south we tried some of the "picknic" spots and was rewarded with excellent views over the river every time!


Next few nights we meandered through the center of the park making use of the indicated "transit" or "basic" camp spots at each of the pans. We could not find these sites marked or pointed out but enjoyed the opportunity as indicated :-)


Not much game in the center of the park, even at the pans. The only thing going here was the absolute remoteness and the feeling of complete wildness. We did not encounter any other traffic for these 3 days. First car we encountered was on the way past the new Benji site. This is an elevated platform with thatch roof which you can rent exclusively.
This site is superb as it overlooks the Benji wear which forms a watering spot and here there was plenty game, Ellies, Buff, smaller game, plenty bird life ect. If you can book this spot make a few days of it!! We had to push on....


We spent the next few nights at Lesoda, Fishans, Chinguli, etc. Much more game here and lion and ellie action around here. The Rundu river had clean water and you could see fish swimming in the deeper pools. Hippo, Crocks ect also present.
The Ellies are way more aggressive than any other place, we got charged a few times, but then always a breeding herd. But much more twitchy than any other place.
Very nervous in the mopanie thickets .......


Super good game viewing along the northern bank of the Rundu but the track was horrible ........


We returned down the Nyavasikane game track, awesome bush and driving, but again very little game. However we did spot a sable male halfway down!


This park is still very much the adventurer's destination with beautiful bush and there are plenty places to go where you certainly feel you are well isolated and very remote.


Heard lion and hyena every night but no sighting :-( Had ellies in the camp more than once, early mornings though.


Very friendly staff and the roads were fairly good with the odd challenging crossing or climb.











Cheers,
EbenH.

[MikevR]

Thanks for your report back Eben.

What a wonderful wilderness.

Cheers

[Surveyor4x4]

Hi All - we head to Gonarezhou at the end of next month (24 June). Does anyone have any updates on the conditions etc up there at the moment following the heavy rains etc earlier this year?

Thanks

Hi martcassidy. How was your trip? We planning for 10/11 August via Pafuri and looking for anyone to convoy with on the Moz section.
Cheers,

[Surveyor4x4]

Hi, we go on the 5th if you are able to change dates.

Regards

Thanks but we locked in unfortunately ....

[customrv]

My first visit to Gonarezhou was in 2005.

Here my vehicles side by side 12 years appart at the same spot, I miss my Classic .....

[captain caprivi]

would like to find out which campsites you stayed at as we are planning a trip next year from SA - Gonarezhou - pafuri Mozam and back

many thanks