At the site of the present Gonarezhou National Park, some 55,000 animals were killed by poaching and tsetse fly control operations till 1968. It was only then, in 1968, that the park was declared a National Park in 1968. The park is located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe, on the border with Mozambique. It forms a natural migratory triangle with the wildlife population from the adjoining Kruger National Park. The Gonarezhou National Park covers an area of 5,000 square kilometers, mainly open grasslands and dense woodlands. The park is divided into the Chipinda Pools in the north and Mabalamata in the South.

The park is not open to visitors throughout the year. Tourists are welcome from 1 May to 31 October. Visitors generally stay at thatched chalets at Swimuwini camp in the South and at various camping sites at Chipinda Pools in the north. They can take advantage of the network of game viewing roads to catch a glimpse of the elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, black rhino, zebra, giraffe, sable, and roan and other antelopes. However, 4X4 vehicles are a must for traveling in the park. Visitors must also carry their own food and petrol and take precautions against bilharzia.