Unique feature at Gonarezhou National Park perfect for shooting movies- one of Zimbabwe’s tourism drawcards
GONAREZHOU National Park in Zimbabwe’s Low Veld harbours a rare unique gem, the Chilojo Cliffs, a natural wonder only found in this country.
Located on the southern banks of Runde River within the 5 000 square kilometre wildlife sanctuary, the cliffs rise for about 200 metres above the river bed and stretch for 20km downstream.
No tourism activity takes place at the cliffs save for a picnic side on the northern side.
Tour guides use small trails created by elephants when they graze around the structure.
There is a top deck viewing point on top of the cliff and is only accessible from the southern side.
What stands tall is a pillar that rise the height of the cliff and has a crack dividing it into two from the bottom to the top although the top surface is joined.
Tour guides said the cliffs are just 20km from the border with Mozambique as the park stretches into three countries-Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe under the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area.
With investment, the cliffs could be used for movie making and high wire tourism activities such as gorge swing and zip line.
It is a perfect site for picnics and photoshoots with the background of the cliff.
The cliffs, made of sand stones and towering up in the sky and showing chocolate and light brown colours, could even challenge the Great Canyons in America.
The game park is accessible both by road and air with the rehabilitation of Buffalo Range Airport.
“I think there is need for a rope to go to the top especially to the crack pillar. It is the only cliff and found here in southern low veld and people come from as far as Europe and America to view them because they are unique. Besides the Great Canyons in America, they are the only cliffs.
“So with the Big Five in the park and the Buffalo Range Airport that helps in marketing and accessibility to the place,” a tour guide Mr Aleck Simbani told journalists who are on a tour of tourism facilities.
The tour was organised by Zimbabwe Tourism Authority as part of pre-Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo that is set for Bulawayo starting tomorrow.
Gonarezhou National Park has the Big 5 species after reintroduction of 28 rhinos in 2021 and they have grown to 38.
There are more than 400 bird species, 11 000 elephants and hundreds of animal species.
The Runde River, fed by Mutirikwi River several other rivers cuts across the park thereby providing all year round water supply to the animals.
