Chizarira

Remote and rugged National Park in the Zambezi Escarpment mountains south-west of Lake Kariba.

Chizarira is one of Zimbabwe's most remote and least visited National Parks. It has magnificent scenery, being situated atop the spectacular Zambezi escarpment mountains which are deeply grooved with thickly-wooded gorges. The park's north-eastern edge is marked by Tundazi, a spectacularly high mountain which, according to local legend, is the home of an immense serpent.

Once a refuge for the endangered black rhinoceros, Chizarira has suffered from poaching over many years and wildlife populations are not as dense as in other Zambezi parks. However, the birdlife is spectacular - no less than 400 of Zimbabwe's 580 bird species are found here - including the rare Angola pitta; Livingstone flycatcher and Taita falcon.

This park offers a rewarding wilderness experience for hikers and walkers accompanied by a Park ranger or a professional guide. Access is limited to 4x4. The Parks Authority has basic camping accommodation at various points in the Park, including above the Mcheni Gorge where a river cuts its way through the Zambezi escarpment mountains, and provides spectacular montane views. 

After many years of serous neglect, this beautiful National Park is now receiving some long-overdue management attention with the assistance of National Parks Rescue, tour operators, NGOs and individuals who are working with ZimParks to rehabilitate its tourism facilities.

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