Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
Chilo Gorge is a luxury safari lodge on the edge of the stunning wilderness of Gonarezhou National Park, in South-East Zimbabwe. We offer guests access to the pristine wilderness of Gonarezhou, with the authentic animal interaction which goes with a park which is rarely visited.
Gonarezhou is a gem among African parks which offers experienced safari travelers an increasingly rare ability to explore untouched Africa. In addition, through the work of Chilo director, Clive Stockil, there is a very powerful community and conservation story which is at the heart of why the lodge was built and how it operates.
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When Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge was built, we brought the outside in. Each of the 10 chalets are spacious, simple, and elegant, providing all the comforts of home. A handsome palette of natural materials creates a haven from the heat of the day, a place to rest and recoup, and to prepare for your next big adventure.
Chilo's all-inclusive luxury chalets sleep two, and come with a spacious en-suite bathroom complete with complimentary toiletries. A private balcony and seating area commands superior views, offering a serene space to unwind after a lively day. Other amenities include a mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, and a safe. One option for families is the two luxury rooms with an extended interconnecting balcony, which provides easy private access between the rooms for all the family.
The beautiful main lodge built from stone, thatch, ancient teak and leadwood has everything you need; a shaded swimming pool, upstairs viewing area, seating area and library, an inviting bar and dining room, as well as outside dining areas, all surrounded by beautifully tended gardens. Even here, at the heart of Chilo, the great African wilderness is never far away. You can watch elephants, hippos and crocodiles cooling off in the waters of the river from the viewing deck, as well as a variety of other wildlife which may come and go throughout the day to drink.
Whether it’s exhilarating game drives through the park, excursions to the epic Chilojo Cliffs, or a day spent birdwatching, we have a wide range of activities to suit every guest. When the day is done and you’ve enjoyed sundowners on the Save River, filled page after page of your journal around the campfire, or spent a day with the people of Mahenye Village, sleep will come easy. You know when you wake, it will be there waiting for you, all over again.
Or for those with a penchant for something a bit more active and adventurous, Gonarezhou is a great destination for game walks. There is also the 3km hiking trail from the lodge to the beautiful Chivilia Falls is a great way to start or end your day. Trekking through a rugged landscape will lead you to a viewpoint overlooking the falls. As the water cascades over age-old rocks, take in the sights and satisfy your thirst with some well deserved refreshments.
The intimate working relationship between the lodge and the local Shangaan community makes a visit to Mahenye Village a rewarding and educational experience. The Cultural home, built with funds raised by Chilo, provides insight into Shangaan society. At the annual Mahenye Festival, taking place in September, you get a chance to witness a celebration of Shangaan culture, including traditional dancing, local food and drink, and the time-honored fish drive in the Save River.
Community-Led Conservation
The first CAMPFIRE program in Zimbabwe was started here in Gonarezhou by one of Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge’s directors – Clive Stockil, and its principles have since been replicated across Africa and the rest of the world.
Chilo engages with and supports a variety of initiatives and programs in our efforts to not only bridge community and conservation but also to create opportunities and showcase to our guests how their travel choices have a positive impact.
This collaboration and co-existence of a private entity and traditional living has been a contributor the 6000 Shangaan having settled here, living in traditional home steads and the village now has a clinic, schools, boreholes and grinding mills.
Jamanda Conservancy
The Jamanda Conservancy was established to ensure the peaceful coexistence between the local community of Mahenye and surrounding wildlife areas of Gonarezhou. The community has relinquished 120 square kilometres of their cattle grazing land, which is bordering Gonarezhou National Park for wildlife conservation and photographic safaris. The land has been protected with fences and anti-poaching patrols and today, wildlife roams freely in this conservancy, established by the community.
Pack 4 a Purpose
Small Space. Little Effort. Big Impact. We know that so often our guests, upon visiting our community partners, wonder if there is a way that they can give back and make a difference. One initiative Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge takes part in is Pack 4 a Purpose, where you can come already equipped with supplies. It may seem like a small gesture but it will go a long way in this remote part of the World. For instance, for 5 pounds (2.27 kilos), you can bring one of the following:
Why not drop us an email at info@chilogorge.com to find out more about how you can pack 4 a purpose.
Nutritional Garden
Planting seeds for the future is both a physical and metaphorical endeavor for the formidable female farmers of Mahenye Village. Their vegetable gardens are the life source for many Shangaan families – keeping culture and community alive. This lifeline extends beyond the village and into the Gonarezhou National Park, as food security results in lowering the risk of temptation to commit wildlife crime in order to survive. Human, animal and ecosystem health are inextricably connected. These gardens are pivotal to maintaining the fragile balance of Human-Wildlife cohabitation.
Initially supported by the EU, SAT-WILD and Odyssey for Change, together with Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, to lay a solid foundation for preparing future landscapes for the residents of Mahenye Village. The nutritional gardens support the community themselves, as well as supply the lodge with vegetables. This ensures the gardens have a market, a worthwhile incentive for long term viability. Adopting an agro-pastoral lifestyle reduces conflict between wildlife and humans as well as contributing toward better ecosystem health.
Campfire
The first CAMPFIRE program (Communal Areas Management Program for Indigenous Resources) in Zimbabwe was started here, and its principles have since been replicated across Africa and the rest of the world. Engagement with the Mahenye community developed under the CAMPFIRE program recognized the necessity of involving the community in management decisions. This resulted in developing a strategy which would empower the people as well as create sustainable utilization of natural resources. Headed by Clive Stockil, Chilo Gorge is extremely proud and passionate about this project. The Mahenye initiative has been expanded and promoted in over forty other districts within the country, proving the success of community engagement and equitable benefit sharing – working together to protect our National Parks.
Over the years, guns have been replaced by cameras, and local people and visitors alike have learned to appreciate the animals as they should be; intact in their natural habitat. In recognition of his unswerving commitment, Clive was awarded the Prince William Award for Conservation in 2013.
“If you are a conservationist, your problem is all about space, so deal with human pressures first. CAMPFIRE has turned conflict into cooperation and everyone has benefitted. The community is happy, the parks are happy and the animals are happy. Everyone wins.”
Clive Stockil
The following camps compliment Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge well, and should be considered when extending an itinerary.
Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe
305 Booty Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Tel: (757) 428 1166 / Fax: (757) 428 0554 / Toll Free: 1 800 322 3867