Things to Do in Chizarira National Park

Walking safari through the Mucheni Gorge

Armed-scout-led walks down into the Mucheni Gorge put you on foot in proper big-game country, with the gorge walls rising in red and ochre sandstone above pools where elephants come to drink. You'll smell crushed wild basil underfoot, hear klipspringer hooves clattering on the rocks, and feel the temperature drop noticeably as you descend into the shaded riverine sections. The silence between bird calls is the thing most visitors remember. That quiet sticks.

Game drives along the escarpment loop

The track running along the escarpment edge gives you long sight-lines across the plateau and down into the Zambezi Valley, and you'll likely spot elephant herds moving between water sources in the early morning. Sable and roan antelope still occur here in decent numbers, which is increasingly rare in southern Africa. The road surface tends to be rough corrugated dirt. Expect a dusty, jolting ride. It's part of the experience.

Birding the cliff lines at Tundazi

The cliffs near Tundazi are one of the few reliable spots in southern Africa for Taita falcon, and the surrounding miombo woodland holds African broadbill, Livingstone's flycatcher, and racket-tailed roller. You'll hear the distinctive frog-like call of the broadbill in the early morning, and the cliffs echo with the cries of black eagles. Bring decent binoculars. The falcon perches tend to sit a hundred meters out and are well camouflaged.

Sunset viewpoint at Mucheni Camp

The escarpment edge near Mucheni Camp gives you one of those wide-screen African sunsets where the Zambezi Valley fills with smoke-blue haze and the cliffs glow orange for about twenty minutes before the light dies. You'll smell woodsmoke from camp fires drifting up from below, hear the distant whoop of hyena starting their night patrol, and feel the cool plateau breeze that comes up as the valley cools. This sunset needs no company.

Day excursion to Tashinga and Lake Kariba

If you've got a spare day, the descent off the escarpment toward Tashinga on the shore of Lake Kariba is a contrast worth making, with the vegetation shifting from highland mopane to baobab-studded valley floor as you drop. You'll see fish eagles working the shoreline, smell the slightly mineral tang of the lake, and likely encounter elephants drinking at the water's edge. The road is rough. It stays passable in the dry season.

Manzituba area sits near park HQ. Basic ZimParks chalets with cold-water plumbing, easiest logistics for first-time visitors.

Mucheni Camp is an escarpment-edge campsite. Best sunset views. Fully self-catered, self-sufficient required.

Busi Camp sits in the southern section. Riverine setting. Elephants walk through camp regularly.

Kaswiswi area is remote bush camping for serious self-drivers. No facilities. The wildest atmosphere on offer.

Mabola sits on the western boundary. Rustic bush camp, good for combining with Lake Kariba excursions.

Want a proper bed and shower? Head to Binga town. The lakeside lodges in Binga work as a base for day trips up into the park.