Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge ChiredziHarare
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Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge is set high atop the cliffs, looking down on the Save River in the spectacularly beautiful southeastern Zimbabwe, at the edge of the Gonarezhou National Park. Gonarezhou is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park which brings together some of the richest and most established wildlife areas in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, including South Africa’s world-famous Kruger National Park, Gonarezhou in Zimbabwe and Limpopo National Park in Mozambique. Also in this area are the majestic Chilojo Cliffs and the impressive Chivirira Falls. Accommodation: Our 10 beautiful Luxury King/Twin Lodges are largely inspired by nature, but with a designer’s passion for elegance, simplicity and bespoke touches. Locally crafted intricate reed weaving, individually carved jacaranda headboards, luxurious cotton bedding and a mini bar have all been carefully chosen for your comfort and enjoyment. Each Lodge has its own private balcony offering spectacular views and the opportunity for you to relax, watching the multitude of river visitors, including our resident elephants, crocodiles and hippos. Our Self Catering Camp, Nhambo, provides guests with the option to be more independent whilst taking advantage of comfortable accommodation, panoramic views and access to the expertise, game drives and activities that we offer. Nhambo comprises four twin/double lodges, each sleeping 2 people. Each lodge has an en-suite bathroom (with shower and bath) and its own, private balcony. The double lodges share a kitchen, dining and barbeque area. There is also a plunge pool. For larger groups of friends and family, you may take all 4 lodges and enjoy the camp on an exclusive basis. The Family Lodge is spacious and private (with its own kitchen, garden and two bathrooms). It sleeps up to 6 people. Activities Our Guides are experienced, friendly and professional, offering expert local knowledge. They include Thomas Mutombeni and Clive Stockil, the founding father of Chilo, whose passion for the African bush and conservation has been recognised with numerous local and international awards. We offer guests a choice of activities, including: Game Drives and Walks (cross the Save River to enter Gonerezhou National Park, best at dawn and dusk, explore on foot or by vehicle) Chilojo Cliffs (excellent opportunities to visit these iconic cliffs) Mahenye Village Cultural Visit (see the local Shangaan way of life and the benefits of the CAMPFIRE project) Chivilila Falls (a 3 km walking trail direct from the Lodge to a viewpoint for the roaring waterfalls) Tembwehata Water Pan (a perfect spot for photography, bird and game viewing) Enjoy sundowner cocktails on a sandbank in the Save River. Community The Lodge sits in the heart of a unique environment which has managed successfully to harmonise local communities, cultures, wildlife and responsible tourism, enabling each to thrive. The area surrounding the Lodge is home to the MaChangana (or locally called 'Shangaan’) people, who settled here in the mid 19th Century. The local community have built a school, clinic, police station and grinding mill out of the increased earning capacity tourism has brought. The owners of the Lodge remain enthusiastic and committed to continuing valuable work with the community. One of the cultural highlights of our calendar is the spectacularly rich MaChangana Culture and Arts Festival, held in different areas around Gonarezhou. It aims to promote the wealth and diverse traditions of the MaChangana people, including music and dance, dress and bead-wear. We hope many of our guests will enjoy the opportunity for an insight into the vibrant, unique traditions of the Shangaan people and to support us with ongoing initiatives with the community. Guests are welcome to fly direct to our private airstrip, self drive or arrange transfers from Harare. Prices quoted are per person, per night.