Day notes
Arrive at Harare Airport – After a quick and easy arrival, you will be welcomed by one of our team and transferred to Malcolm Lodge, where we will check you for the night – dinner can either be arranged at the lodge or maybe visit a nearby local restaurant.
Transfer from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE] to Malcolm Lodge
Transfer
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE]
Malcolm Lodge
Check-in to Malcolm Lodge
Expert tips:
You can choose to upgrade your stay in Harare to stay at Amanzi Lodge. Ask us for details.
Day notes
Today, you will be picked up and driven to the airport to board your private charter light aircraft heading to Chipinda Pools in Gonarezhou. This flight is approximately 2 hours long. Upon landing, Doug MacDonald will greet you warmly before you embark on a game drive from the airstrip to your first camp, which is a 45-minute drive away.
You'll arrive just in time for lunch, allowing you to settle into your chalet and start soaking in your surroundings. In the afternoon, we'll head out for a game drive. It's important to note, however, that the Dam (Lake) in front of the camp is a wildlife hotspot and on certain days, the most amazing experiences can be had watching hundreds of elephants as they come and go.
After your exciting day, dinner will be served in the mess area and you may choose to follow it with a nightcap. The sounds of the bush, and most often the resident hippos, will serve as your evening serenade.
Check-out from Malcolm Lodge
Transfer from Malcolm Lodge to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE]
Transfer
Malcolm Lodge
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE]
Charter Flight from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE] to Chipinda Pools Airstrip
Charter Flight
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE]
Chipinda Pools Airstrip
Game Drive from Chipinda Pools Airstrip to Masasanya Camp
Game Drive
Chipinda Pools Airstrip
Masasanya Camp
Check-in to Masasanya Camp
Day notes
A traditional early-morning safari wakeup is quickly succeeded by breakfast. As soon as the sunlight allows, we'll embark on a walking safari, with our primary focus being tracking the black rhino on foot within the Intensive Protection Zone of the park. The thrill of discovering tracks is exhilarating, and an actual encounter is something you'll never forget. However, the walking safari here has so much more to offer. You'll quickly find your attention captured by other wildlife, countless birds, and fascinating insects. Standing in the shadow of one of the many vast Baobab trees, listening to the mournful sound the wind makes as it travels through its thick branches, is an experience that is special in its own right.
After your morning adventures, a freshly prepared, healthy, and intriguing lunch awaits you. The afternoon can be spent either in the camp, observing the continuous to-and-fro of wildlife to the water's edge in front of the camp, or we can venture further afield on a game drive, returning to camp after dark.
The day concludes under the stars, with a delectable dinner and optional nightcaps.
Day notes
Embrace another full day of our thrilling safari as we persist in our quest for the elusive Black Rhino. But rest assured, this journey is about more than just one species. Each moment is a celebration of the wilderness, where the unexpected awaits behind every bush. While our primary aim is the Black Rhino, every step we take immerses us deeper into the world of the extraordinary wildlife that call Gonarezhou home. So prepare to be enchanted and surprised by the myriad of incredible creatures you'll encounter along the way.
Day notes
As part of the immersive Gonarezhou experience we've planned for you, we'll spend some time fly camping at the junction of the Save and Runde rivers, at a seasonal pan in the heart of the park. This region is teeming with wildlife, ranging from the petite Hyrax to majestic Elephants. If fortune favors us, we may even spot one of the Wild dog packs that hunt in the open woodlands and across the pans that define this landscape. This area hosts some of the largest gatherings of Impala I've ever witnessed.
Birdlife flourishes here and although our goal is exploration, simply being present in this landscape can be an unforgettable experience. Depending on how the day's wildlife encounters unfold, we'll likely enjoy lunch in camp, under the shade of an Acacia tree. After an afternoon of discovery, we'll return to camp for another freshly prepared meal enjoyed together.
The camp will be pre-set for you, eliminating the need to pitch any tents. We prepare 3m x 3m Canvas Dome Tents, equipped with cot beds, an extra cushioning mattress, and proper linen to ensure a comfortable night's sleep. Inside, you'll find a solar light, and outside, a hand basin with preheated water awaits you.
We also set up a screened-off bucket shower system with water preheated to your preference - a perfect end to a long day of exploration.
Check-out from Masasanya Camp
Game Drive from Masasanya Camp to Fly Camping in Gonarezhou with Bush Bound Safaris
Game Drive
Masasanya Camp
Fly Camping in Gonarezhou with Bush Bound Safaris
Check-in to Fly Camping in Gonarezhou with Bush Bound Safaris
Day notes
We'll seize another morning to admire the lower Runde River system through a mix of game drives and walks. Doug, a phenomenal tracker, will often lead you on foot to investigate fresh tracks, adding a layer of thrill to your experience.
After enjoying lunch in the area, we'll head westward to the Chilojo Cliffs region of the park. This journey peaks atop the iconic sandstone cliffs, where you'll grasp the sheer scale of the Gonarezhou wilderness and capture stunning photographs. Wildlife encounters on the cliffs can be both thrilling and fascinating.
The Chilojo Cliffs, formed over millions of years through deposition and erosion by the Runde River, are one of Gonarezhou's most emblematic land features. Our private tented camp, perfectly positioned on the banks of the Runde River and facing the cliffs, resides in the heart of an exceptional game-viewing area. The large walk-in safari tents, complete with en-suite bathroom facilities, offer a comfortable living space while our team remains on hand to ensure your safety and comfort.
After a day of exploration, you'll be able to unwind in your spacious and well-furnished mobile camp, your home for the next few blissful days of bush life. The view from camp across to the Chilojo cliffs will leave you in awe.
Mornings will begin perfectly with breakfast around a campfire, as the sun rises over the red cliffs. Lunch venues will be guided by our daily plan, which will flex depending on nature's whims and where it leads us. Memorable dinners on an open sand river under a starlit sky become even more enchanting when paired with the echo of Hyena and Leopard calls along the valley and the magnificent silhouettes of elephants crossing nearby.
Check-out from Fly Camping in Gonarezhou with Bush Bound Safaris
Game Drive from Fly Camping in Gonarezhou with Bush Bound Safaris to Chilojo Cliffs Bush Camp
Game Drive
Fly Camping in Gonarezhou with Bush Bound Safaris
Chilojo Cliffs Bush Camp
Check-in to Chilojo Cliffs Bush Camp
Day notes
Prepare to embark on a journey around the Chilojo Cliffs area. We will be exploring the floodplains and riverine areas, along with the Sandveld zones above the cliffs. This adventure is a chance to immerse yourself in the grandeur of nature, discovering the diverse landscapes that shape the remarkable Gonarezhou. Every moment holds the promise of surprise, inspiration, and a profound connection with the wild. Oh and the views are just epic
Day notes
Let's see what the wildlife dictates for us today. Another glorious day in this extraordinary park.
Day notes
Today we head back to Chipinda to catch our private charter flight back to Harare airport or onwards to your next adventure!
Check-out from Chilojo Cliffs Bush Camp
