Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge
Highlights
- Full-day game drive to the Chilojo Cliffs above the Runde River
- Birding on the Save and Runde rivers, at its best November to March
- Game drives into Gonarezhou National Park, part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park
- Elephants, hippos and crocodiles on the Save River below the decks
- Guided walks and natural history outings with expert Gonarezhou guides
- Shangaan culture on Mahenye community land
- Cliff-top views across the Save River from every chalet deck
Information
- Lodge type: Safari Lodge
- Location: Save River, Mahenye, on the northern boundary of Gonarezhou National Park, south-east Zimbabwe
- Lodge size: 10 Thatched Chalets
- Recommended stay: 3–7 nights
- Malaria risk: Yes — Gonarezhou is a malaria area; prophylaxis is recommended year-round, with the highest risk in the rainy season from November to April
- Getting there: Scheduled flight Johannesburg to Buffalo Range Airport (Chiredzi) in 1 hr 45 min on Mondays and Thursdays, then a 1 hr 45 min road transfer; or a 1 hr 45 min charter from Harare to Mahenye Airstrip, 10 minutes from the lodge; allow 7+ hours by road from Harare
A Classic Safari Lodge Located On The Edge Of The Gonarezhou National Park, Near Chilo Gorge And Chilojo Cliffs
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is a 10-chalet safari lodge built high on sandstone cliffs above the Save River in south-east Zimbabwe, looking straight across the water into the magnificent Gonarezhou National Park. The lodge stands on Mahenye community land along the park's northern boundary. From the main viewing deck and every private chalet deck, elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a superb cast of river birds can be watched from first light until dark.
Gonarezhou National Park is one of the wildest and least-visited big-game parks in southern Africa. It covers roughly 5,000 km² of Zimbabwean lowveld and forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park alongside South Africa's Kruger National Park and Mozambique's Limpopo National Park. Gonarezhou means "place of elephants" in Shona, and its herds are among the largest in Zimbabwe. They share the mopane and baobab country with lion, leopard, African wild dog, buffalo and nyala. Birding in the summer months, November to March, is nothing short of spectacular.
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is closely linked to conservationist Clive Stockil, who received the Tusk Award in 2013 for decades of community-led conservation in the south-east lowveld. Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is one of our handpicked Gonarezhou Lodges.
Rooms and Suites
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge has 10 thatched chalets, each with a private deck overlooking the Save River and Gonarezhou National Park beyond. Every chalet has a spacious bedroom and an en-suite bathroom with a shower and separate toilet. The chalets are private, peaceful and generously sized.
- Private river-view deck
- Pure cotton bedding and mosquito nets
- Fans and electrical outlets
- Fridge and mini-bar
- Tea and coffee station
- Hair dryer and in-room safe
Cuisine and Wine
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge serves three meals a day: a hot and cold buffet breakfast, a light lunch and a three-course dinner. Where you eat depends on the weather. Meals are served on the river deck, around the fire pit or under thatch in the indoor dining room. Most dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice before arrival.
Facilities
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge centres on a thatched guest area that is the social hub of the lodge. Here you'll find a large bar, a lounge with a fireplace, an indoor dining room and a shaded swimming pool. A viewing deck on the cliff edge adds a fire pit, seating and outdoor dining, with absolutely stunning views of the Save River below.
- Swimming pool
- Library
- Free WiFi
- Braai facilities
- Conference centre
- 24-hour security
- Secure private parking for self-drive guests
Activities
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge offers game drives into Gonarezhou National Park in the morning, in the afternoon or as a full day. The full-day drive to the Chilojo Cliffs above the Runde River is the signature outing. Gonarezhou is one of the last true wilderness areas in Africa and a must-visit destination for anyone travelling in Zimbabwe, with remarkable wildlife and birdlife.
- Morning, afternoon and full-day game drives in Gonarezhou National Park
- Full-day excursion to the Chilojo Cliffs
- Guided game walks
- Bird watching on the Save and Runde rivers
- Fishing on the Save River
- Natural history tours
- Shangaan cultural visits on Mahenye community land
Child Friendly
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge welcomes families, and its cliff-top setting shapes the age advice. The chalet decks sit high above the Save River, so the lodge is best suited to children aged 8 and over. Please enquire for up-to-date details on family chalets, children's meals and age limits on game drives and walks.
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge FAQs
Where is Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge?
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge stands on sandstone cliffs above the Save River in south-east Zimbabwe, on Mahenye community land along the northern boundary of Gonarezhou National Park. Gonarezhou covers roughly 5,000 km² of lowveld and forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park with South Africa's Kruger National Park and Mozambique's Limpopo National Park. That makes Chilo Gorge one of the wildest lodge settings in southern Africa.
How do you get to Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge?
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge can be reached by air or road. Scheduled flights link Johannesburg to Buffalo Range Airport near Chiredzi in about 1 hour 45 minutes on Mondays and Thursdays, followed by a 1 hour 45 minute road transfer. Private charters fly from Harare to Mahenye Airstrip in about 1 hour 45 minutes, 10 minutes from the lodge. Self-drive guests should allow seven hours or more from Harare.
Is Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge in a malaria area?
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is in a malaria area. Gonarezhou National Park and the Save River valley lie in Zimbabwe's low-lying south-east, where malaria is present year-round and the risk is highest in the rainy season from November to April. Travellers should see a travel doctor about antimalarial medication before departure. Every chalet at the lodge has a mosquito net.
When is the best time to visit Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge?
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge offers its best game viewing in the dry season from May to October. At that time the bush thins, water retreats to the Save and Runde rivers, and elephant herds concentrate along the banks. July to October brings the most reliable sightings and the hottest days. November to April is the green season, with dramatic storms and outstanding birding as the summer migrants arrive.
What are the Chilojo Cliffs?
The Chilojo Cliffs are banded red sandstone cliffs rising above the Runde River in Gonarezhou National Park, south-east Zimbabwe. They are the park's signature landmark and one of the most striking sights in Zimbabwe. Guests at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge visit the cliffs on a full-day game drive, which also covers the wide Runde riverbed and the baobab-studded plains below.
Is Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge suitable for children?
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge welcomes families, though its cliff-top setting shapes the age advice. The chalet decks sit high above the Save River, so the lodge is best suited to children aged 8 and over, and the balconies are not considered safe for children under 6. Families should confirm family-chalet options, children's meals and age limits on game drives and walks before booking.
In Conclusion
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is the finest way to see Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe's great untamed elephant wilderness. It offers 10 thatched chalets on cliffs above the Save River, guiding rooted in community conservation, and the Chilojo Cliffs a day's drive away. Gonarezhou receives only a fraction of the visitors that crowd Kruger next door, and that remoteness is the reward: long sightings, empty roads and a real sense of discovery.
The best time to go is the dry season, May to October, when the game concentrates on the Save and Runde rivers. Birders should aim for November to March. Plan on three to four nights, enough for a full day at Chilojo and unhurried drives in between. Chilo Gorge pairs beautifully with Victoria Falls and Hwange for a classic Zimbabwe circuit, or with the Kruger for a cross-border Great Limpopo safari.
Uyaphi.com has been planning African safaris since 1999. That is 27 years of matching travellers to the right lodges, flights and seasons across twelve countries. We'll arrange your Buffalo Range flights or Harare charter, time your stay for the best game viewing and build Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge into a seamless Zimbabwe itinerary. We charge no booking fees and no credit card surcharges. Send us your dates and we'll handle the rest.
Rates from US$ 578.00 Per person per night
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge Rates
Per person per night sharing
Rates are in US Dollar
*Rates may vary according to season
- Accommodation
- Three meals per day
- Two safari activities per day
- VAT and Tourism Levy
- All flights
- Transfers
- Visa
- Items of a personal nature
- National Parks and Community Fees
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
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