Gonarezhou National Park

🇿🇼 Zimbabwe

🐘 Untamed Wilderness for the African Bush Elephant
🌍 #38 Global · 4.7 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #27 in Africa #29 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, Zimbabwe 949 spp. recorded

Gonarezhou is a protected tropical savanna located in southeastern Zimbabwe, featuring expansive acacia woodlands and winding sandy riverbeds. This remote wilderness stands apart from other reserves through its sweeping acacia thickets and seasonal watercourses. The African Bush Elephant serves as the defining species of the region, frequently sighted gathering near seasonal pools during the dry afternoons.

-21.391° S   32.070° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Nyala ★
LC

Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus angasii

50–60% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

80–90% · Very likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

70–80% · Very likely
Meves's Glossy-starling
LC

Meves's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis mevesii

70–80% · Very likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

70–80% · Very likely
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu
LC

Blue-breasted Cordonbleu

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Uraeginthus angolensis

60–70% · Likely
LADO

LADO

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia senegalensis

60–70% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
White-fronted Bee-eater
LC

White-fronted Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops bullockoides

60–70% · Likely
Natal Francolin
LC

Natal Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis natalensis

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely
Nyala ★
LC

Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus angasii

50–60% · Likely
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Waterbuck
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely
Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

40–50% · Likely
Smith's Bush Squirrel
LC

Smith's Bush Squirrel

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Paraxerus cepapi

30–40% · Possible
Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax
LC

Yellow-spotted Rock Hyrax

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Heterohyrax brucei

30–40% · Possible
Common Eland

Common Eland

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Taurotragus oryx

30–40% · Possible
African Buffalo
NT

African Buffalo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Syncerus caffer

30–40% · Possible
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

30–40% · Possible
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

30–40% · Possible
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

30–40% · Possible
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

80–90% · Very likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

70–80% · Very likely
Meves's Glossy-starling
LC

Meves's Glossy-starling

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lamprotornis mevesii

70–80% · Very likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

70–80% · Very likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

70–80% · Very likely
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu
LC

Blue-breasted Cordonbleu

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Uraeginthus angolensis

60–70% · Likely
LADO

LADO

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Spilopelia senegalensis

60–70% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

60–70% · Likely
Helmeted Guineafowl
LC

Helmeted Guineafowl

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Numida meleagris

60–70% · Likely
African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

60–70% · Likely
White-fronted Bee-eater
LC

White-fronted Bee-eater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Merops bullockoides

60–70% · Likely
Natal Francolin
LC

Natal Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis natalensis

60–70% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

50–60% · Likely
Rainbow Skink

Rainbow Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis margaritifera

50–60% · Likely
Cape Dwarf Gecko
LC

Cape Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus capensis

40–50% · Likely
Serrated Hinged Terrapin

Serrated Hinged Terrapin

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pelusios sinuatus

30–40% · Possible
Turner's Thick-toed Gecko
LC

Turner's Thick-toed Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Chondrodactylus turneri

30–40% · Possible
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

30–40% · Possible
Leopard Tortoise
LC

Leopard Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Stigmochelys pardalis

30–40% · Possible
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

20–30% · Possible
Common Giant Plated Lizard
LC

Common Giant Plated Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Matobosaurus validus

20–30% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

20–30% · Possible
Rock Monitor
LC

Rock Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus albigularis

20–30% · Possible
Flathead Leaf-toed Gecko
LC

Flathead Leaf-toed Gecko

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Hemidactylus platycephalus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely
Garman's Toad
LC

Garman's Toad

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Sclerophrys garmani

20–30% · Possible
Anchieta's Ridged Frog
LC

Anchieta's Ridged Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Ptychadena anchietae

20–30% · Possible
Common Squeaker
LC

Common Squeaker

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Arthroleptis stenodactylus

20–30% · Possible
African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

20–30% · Possible
Fenoulhet's Toad
LC

Fenoulhet's Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Poyntonophrynus fenoulheti

20–30% · Possible
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Shovel-nosed Frog
LC

Shovel-nosed Frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hemisus marmoratus

Insufficient data
Red-legged Wot-wot

Red-legged Wot-wot

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phlyctimantis maculatus

Insufficient data
Marbled sand frog
LC

Marbled sand frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Tomopterna marmorata

Insufficient data
Müller's Platanna
LC

Müller's Platanna

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Xenopus muelleri

Insufficient data
Water Lily Reed Frog
LC

Water Lily Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius pusillus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🐸

Rains and Amphibian Chorus

JanMar

Summer downpours fill temporary pans, triggering explosive breeding events where the Grey Foam-nest Treefrog leads a deafening nocturnal chorus across the bushveld.

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely
🦌

Wild Dog Denning Season

JunJul

The cooler winter months mark the denning period for endangered wild dogs, making them temporarily bound to specific sites while raising pups.

Painted Hunting Dog
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

20–30% · Possible
🦌

Dry Season Elephant Concentration

AugSep

As water sources recede during the dry winter months, large herds of elephants and other mammals concentrate heavily around the remaining permanent rivers and pools.

Plains Zebra
NT Endemic

Plains Zebra

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Equus quagga

50–60% · Likely
African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
African Bush Elephant
20–30
20–30
50–60
80–90
80–90
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
40–50
70–80
50–60
Nyala
10–20
20–30
60–70
60–70
10–20
40–50
10–20
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
20–30
Painted Hunting Dog
20–30
<5
<5
30–40
20–30
20–30
30–40
20–30
<5
<5
10–20
<5
Egyptian Goose
80–90
70–80
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
Meves's Glossy-starling
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
Fork-tailed Drongo
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
Cape Turtle Dove
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
LADO
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
Hadada
70–80
40–50
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Helmeted Guineafowl
70–80
40–50
70–80
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
African Fish-Eagle
70–80
40–50
70–80
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
White-fronted Bee-eater
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
40–50
Natal Francolin
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
80–90
70–80
50–60
50–60
Animal Events
🦌 Dry Season Elephant Concentration
🐸 Rains and Amphibian Chorus
🦌 Wild Dog Denning Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ World-class
🐘 Untamed Wilderness for the African Bush Elephant

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
602
🐒 Mammals
179
🦎 Reptiles
127
🐸 Amphibians
41
949 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
32 Threatened 16 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
71%
📊
Coverage (359 species at ≥5% of 949 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
38%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (11 bird, 1 mammal)
46% Global avg
20%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
215
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
47
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
68

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Gonarezhou National Park?

The most likely sightings are Egyptian Goose (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Meves's Glossy-starling (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Fork-tailed Drongo (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Cape Turtle Dove (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 949 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Gonarezhou National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Gonarezhou National Park?

Yes — about 64% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Gonarezhou National Park, based on 31 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Nyala in Gonarezhou National Park?

Yes — about 54% of wildlife watchers report a Nyala sighting in Gonarezhou National Park, based on 21 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Gonarezhou National Park?

Yes — about 21% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Gonarezhou National Park, based on 9 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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