Chilo Gorge Ivory Trail

an unusually authentic and intense bush experience

Chilo Gorge Ivory Trail is located in the Gonarezhou area of southeast Zimbabwe.

This simple camp serves as a satellite for the more substantial Chilo Gorge Lodge, enabling guests to get deeper into the national park and be more exposed to nature.

The camp itself is very rudimentary, being centred on a simple mess tent and campfire above the river.

Guest accommodation is in small dome tents. Bathroom facilities are separate and shared, with bucket showers and long-drop toilets.

Activities include vehicle safari and walking safari.

Gonarezhou is a long way from other safari areas, which is why it so rarely features in trips.

More experienced Africa travellers may choose to focus the whole of their safari here. High-end guests may charter flights from Mana Pools in the north or Kruger in the south.

The usual stay duration in the Gonarezhou area is 4-7 nights.

Seasonality

Safari in Gonarezhou is very seasonal and careful planning is extremely important.

Early dry season : May-Jun

May-Jun is a period of transition from the hot wet summer to the cool dry winter and is a decent time to visit, before the harshness of the main dry season kicks in. Animals should start to move back towards the permanent water sources, all of which should lead to an increase in sightings. Temperatures can drop during the night, but the days are gorgeous. The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period.

Dry season : Jul-Sep

The Jul-Sep dry season is the classic time to visit Gonarezhou and is generally the best time for wildlife viewing, with many animals drawn to the water from the dry surrounding areas. During Jul-Aug the cooler temperatures of the preceding season can continue. This is very much the high season in terms of prices and visitor numbers, but vehicle traffic should rarely be an issue.

Hot season : Oct-Dec

The Oct-Dec hot season is the transition period between the peak of the dry season and the start of the rains. Temperatures and humidities can become uncomfortably high and if rainfall arrives, it brings relief from the high temperatures, but can be heavy and prolonged. Some animals may disperse, causing a marked drop off in sightings The majority of camps are significantly discounted during this period.

Green season : Jan-Apr

Jan-Apr is the main green season when the area receives the most rainfall and temperatures are still elevated. The animals are well fed and there’s lots of babies around. With the wildlife being more dispersed and the long grasses providing extra cover, wildlife viewing can be more difficult, causing a drop off in sightings. It’s the Dec-Feb period which threatens the greatest chance of more cloud and rain, making safari conditions more challenging. The camps are significantly discounted throughout this season, making it a smart time to travel.

Getting there

Chilo Gorge Ivory Trail is usually accessed by vehicle or on foot from Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, which sits on top of the escarpment around 6 km to the northeast, the two being almost always combined together in trips.

Gonarezhou is rarely combined with other safari areas