Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge joins Andrea Hugo Associates' portfolio

CHILO GORGE IS A LUXURY SAFARI LODGE ON THE EDGE OF THE STUNNING WILDERNESS OF GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK, IN SOUTH-EAST ZIMBABWE.

Set high atop the cliffs, looking down on the Save River in southeastern Zimbabwe is Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge. Enjoying a magnificent location overlooking Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe's second largest National Park, the Lodge has undergone a stunning and extensive refurbishment. Offering 10 luxury all-inclusive chalets, a luxury tented camp, a fly camping experience, together a wide range of activities, Chilo ensures guests can truly feel part of untamed Africa.

Our all-inclusive luxury chalets sleep two, and come with a spacious en-suite bathroom complete with complimentary toiletries. A private balcony and seating area commands superior views, offering a serene space to unwind after a lively day. Other amenities include a mini bar, tea and coffee facilities, and a safe. One option for families is the two luxury chalets with an extended interconnecting balcony, which provides easy private access between the rooms for all the family.

Boasting one of the best locations within Gonarezhou National Park, Chilo Gorge Tented Camp at Mahove offers guests the opportunity of experiencing this pristine wilderness area at close quarters. A semi-luxury seasonal Tented Camp, situated on the banks of the Runde River, offering accommodation in 4 Twin Bedded Meru style tents with ensuite shower, hot and cold running water, & flushing toilet. This is an 'old Africa' camping experience, with a good standard of comfort, and a great place from which to explore Gonarezhou by vehicle and on foot.

The Ivory Trail Adventure provides the truly adventurous traveler with the opportunity to explore rarely visited parts of this gem among African parks. Guests will have a dedicated professional guide and safari vehicle for the duration of their Ivory Trail Adventure. The itinerary and the campsites will be chosen by Chilo Gorge based on the time of year, the accessibility of various locations, and our knowledgeable view on the likely wildlife hotspots at that time of year.

Any journey into the heart of Gonarezhou begins with the realization that this is wild country. It is one of Africa's last remaining pristine wildernesses and we are all privileged to be a visitor here. The animals are in their most natural state at Gonarezhou. Buffalo gather at watering holes, big cats prowl silently in pursuit of painted impala, hippo wallow midstream attended by squadrons of fluttering birds. The presence of elephants is everywhere; on the earth and the vegetation, as their families travel along routes passed from one matriarch to another in search of food, safety, and water. A panorama of bird life gathers at Tembwahata and Machaniwa Water Pans, a flying, wading tumult of color, while the wonders of Chilojo Cliffs and Chivilila Falls reveal some of the glories of this unique and varied landscape.

Activities include game drives to the likes of the iconic Chilojo Cliffs and the Tembwehata Water Pan. For the more energetic and adventurous, Gonarezhou provides excellent opportunities for walking safaris. There is also the 3km hiking trail from the lodge to a viewpoint looking out over the Chivilila Falls. Conservation and community are at the heart of Chilo Gorge, and the lodge has a very close alliance with the local community. Cultural visits to Mahenye Village allow guests to experience the local Shangaan way of life, and see the birthplace of the very first CAMPFIRE "Community Led Conservation" project.

The Chilo Gorge Guides are experienced, friendly and professional, offering expert local knowledge. They include Clive Stockil, the founding father of the CAMPFIRE project, whose passion for the African bush and conservation has been recognized with numerous local and international awards.

At Chilo Gorge we are committed to maintaining the beauty of the pristine wilderness, the integrity of its native wildlife and to create an unrivaled safari experience for guests. Gonarezhou is blessed with authentic wilderness and guests rarely see another vehicle in the park, but instead get to enjoy abundant and diverse wildlife, bird life and flora in their natural environment.

Click on the following links to download rates, fact sheets, high resolution images, and useful information:

2018 RACK & STO RATES / 2019 RACK & STO RATES

FACT SHEETS / CONTACT DETAILS / WETU iBROCHURE

HIGH RES IMAGE LIBRARY / VIDEOS / ONLINE AVAILABILITY

BEST IN THE WEST STANDARD

Our Best in the West Standard package combines a unique mix of locations and experiences. The adrenaline adventure of Victoria Falls, the classic safari experience of Hwange NP, the culture and history of Matopos NP, and the pristine wilderness of Gonarezhou.

ITINERARY

-Chilo Gorge, Gonarezhou

-Amalinda Lodge, Matopos

-Ivory Lodge, Hwange

-Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls

-Ngoma Safari Lodge, Chobe

BEST IN THE WEST ULTRA

The Best in the West ULTRA package allows you to upgrade and combine convenience with luxury, whilst still incorporating some of the best accommodation and most diverse landscapes Zimbabwe has to offer.

ITINERARY

-Chilo Gorge, Gonarezhou

-Amalinda Lodge, Matopos

-Khulu Bush Camp, Hwange

-Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls

-Ngoma Safari Lodge, Chobe

MANA POOLS & CHILO GORGE

Explore one of the last remaining wild frontiers, Mana Pools National Park, and 'the place of elephants', Gonarezhou National Park with a 10 day fly-in package with African Bush Camps and Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

ITINERARY

-6 nights Kanga Camp & Zambezi Expeditions

-4 nights Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

*Including free flights in and out of Mana Pools with Safari Logistics and one FREE flight between Harare and Chilo in 2019

PRISTINE GEMS BUSH & BEACH

Experience an unforgettable Bush and Beach Safari with Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge and Santorini Mozambique.

Probably the most time and cost efficient way to combine a Zimbabwe safari with the beach.

ITINERARY

-4 nights Chilo Gorge

- 4 nights Santorini Mozambique

*Book the 9 Day / 8 Night 'Pristine Gems' package at standard STO rates, and only pay $250 per person for the private charter flight between Mahenye and Vilanculos.

GAME DRIVES IN GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK

Morning, Afternoon and Full Day Games Drives into Gonarezhou National Park, with our resident Guides. At over 5,000 km², Gonarezhou is the second largest National Park in Zimbabwe, cutting a swathe of sandstone cliffs, scrub and baobab trees along the country's southeastern border with Mozambique.

Largely undiscovered by the outside world, this striking land is one of the last great pristine wildernesses in Africa and takes in a huge diversity of habitats. Lions, cheetah, wild dogs, hyena, buffalo, hippo and giraffe can all be seen within the boundaries of Gonarezhou, but this country is known, first and foremost, as the Land of the Elephant. These massive, intelligent creatures are called Nzhou in Shona, and give their name to the National Park where they number in their thousands. Gonarezhou National Park is one of Africa's last remaining true pristine wilderness areas.

GUIDED WALKING SAFARIS

There is no better way to explore an area than on foot. Chilo Gorge offers morning and afternoon Game Walks in Gonarezhou National Park, with our resident Professional Guides. Explore the Runde river floodplains from Chilo Gorge Tented Camp, or some of the more remote corners of Gonarezhou when on the Ivory Trail Adventure fly camping experience. Game Walks are also available for guests staying at the Main Lodge. Min age of 12yrs.

CHILOJO CLIFFS SAFARI

A full day excursion to the Red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs, situated in the heart of the Gonarezhou National Park on the banks of the Runde River. Visit the Tembwahata and Machaniwa Water Pans offering unrivaled bird watching & view large herds of Elephant and Buffalo. A picnic lunch is served at the spectacular Chilojo Cliffs, followed by a sundowner game drive back to the lodge. Available in the dry season: April to November, with the top of the Chilojo Cliffs normally only accessible between June/July to November when the Runde River is fordable.

COMMUNITY VISIT

The intimate working relationship between the lodge and the local Shangaan community, makes a visit to Mahenye Village a uniquely rewarding cultural experience. This is the birthplace of the CAMPFIRE concept, which has since been replicated thousands of times around Africa. It will be a colorful and informative visit, likely to include the Secondary School and local Clinic, and guests are encouraged to interact with the local villagers. This is a unique opportunity to spend time exploring an authentic village, and watch daily village life in one of Zimbabwe's remotest corners. There is also a potential to visit the local palm forest, to meet the resident palm wine maker. Your guide will explain how palm wine is produced, together with providing different samples for tasting.

CHIVILILA FALLS

For those with a penchant for something a bit more active, the 2.5km hiking trail from the lodge to the beautiful Chivilila Falls is a great way to start or end your day. Trekking through a rugged landscape will lead you to a view point overlooking the Falls. As the water cascades over age-old rocks, take in the sights and satisfy your thirst with some well deserved refreshments.

BIRD WATCHING IN THE SACRED SAND FOREST

The three major rivers, the Chilojo Cliffs and the vast water pans in the park support a rich variety of birdlife, including Kingfishers, Hornbills, Eagles and Raptors. Over 450 species have been recorded in and around Gonarezhou, making it one of Southern Africa's top birding destinations. The rivers attract many waterbirds from herons, storks and egrets to waders, African Skimmers and nesting Southern Carmine Bee-eaters. Purple-crested Turacos flash crimson through the denser riverine and Grey-headed, Brown-headed and Meyer's Parrots squawk and shriek. The Chilojo Cliffs and the surrounding areas offer common sightings of Verreaux's Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Black Storks, swifts and other raptors, including Bat Hawks and Taita Falcons. And the local Sacred Sand Forest also provides sightings of specials such as the Green Malkoha, Narina Trogon, Chestnut -fronted Helmet shrikes, and Square tailed Drongo.

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM ANDREA HUGO:

I am very excited to report that we are representing Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge overlooking the Gonarezhou National Park. Not only is it a fabulous product it also adds a whole new dimension to our Zimbabwe offering. The Gonarezhou is an extremely pristine wilderness area which means that visitors rarely see other vehicles. The Gonarezhou is also the area where Clive Stockhil grew up and was able to create a unique environment where local cultures, wildlife and responsible tourism is able to thrive and enrich each another. Clive's CAMPFIRE program has since been used all over Africa with great success.

Please contact us to find out how you can incorporate the Chilo Collection together with Amalinda Lodge, Khulu Bush Camp and Ivory Lodge as well as John's Camp in the Mana Pools area. Remember, too, that at an extra cost your clients can enjoy safaris with Clive Stockhil at Chilo, John Stevens at John's Camp and Paul Fuston at Khulu. These individuals add such an incredible dimension to a safari!

We are excited to share our enthusiasm for the Chilo Gorge Safari Collection with the North American market. Don't hesitate to contact our office for more information on Chilo, we are always happy to answer any questions you may have.

Best wishes,
Andrea Hugo

africa@andreahugo.com | 1(800) 322 3867