Gonarezhou Chilojo Cliffs Track — Chipinda Pools to Chilojo Cliffs along the Runde River
Elephant country under the red Chilojo Cliffs
Gonarezhou means “place of many elephants,” and that is the first thing you notice. The park is in Zimbabwe’s far southeast, where almost nobody goes, and the road to the Chilojo Cliffs runs through it. You leave Chipinda Pools above the Runde River and follow the sand tracks south through mopane and riverine forest. The Runde has dry sand crossings and a few soft drifts that can bog a heavy truck. Then the track bends and the Chilojo Cliffs rise over the river in red and ochre stripes, about 100 ft of sandstone that glows at sunrise. Elephants walk the riverbed beneath them. The campsites at the cliffs are some of the best in southern Africa.
This is Difficult driving, mostly because of how remote it is, not because of the terrain. Sand is soft and the tracks are narrow. You need a high-clearance 4WD with proper recovery gear, a second spare, a compressor and full self-sufficiency in fuel and water. Fuel is thin on the ground, and cell service is nil. The park runs mostly May to October and tracks close in the rains. You book entry and camping through the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust before you leave. You get elephants, buffalo, wild dogs on a good day and a quiet campfire under the cliffs. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 52 mi / 83.7 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1500 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Chiredzi, Masvingo |
| Land manager | Gonarezhou Conservation Trust / Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | No |
| Official sources | Gonarezhou Conservation Trust |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock high-clearance 4WD handle the Chilojo Cliffs track?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can do it if it has decent all-terrain tires, low range, and you air down for the sand. Carry full recovery gear (traction boards, shovel, snatch strap, compressor) and travel with a second vehicle, because help is a long way off.
Is the Chilojo Cliffs track open during the rainy season?
Plan on May to October, the dry season. In the rains, river levels rise, sandy tracks turn to mud, and park roads can become impassable or closed, so check current access with the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust before you commit.
Do I need a permit to drive the Chipinda Pools to Chilojo Cliffs route?
Yes. You need park entry and a booked campsite through the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, which manages the park with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife. Arrange this before you leave Chiredzi, since there is no cell service to sort it out on the way.
What's the hardest part of this trail?
Soft sand is the main challenge, especially in dry riverbeds and where the track drops into the Runde River drainage. Air down, keep momentum without flooring it, and walk any crossing first. Elephants on the track are the other hazard, so give them space and stay in your vehicle.
Can I get fuel, water, or cell service along the route?
No. There is no cell service and no fuel inside the park, so fill up in Chiredzi and carry enough for the full 52 miles (84 km) plus detours and backtracking. Bring all your drinking water, a satellite communicator, and treat the Runde River as crocodile water, not a place to swim or fill bottles from the bank.
Trail track
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