Where to stay in Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve
2 hand-picked glamping camps and lodges in and around the park.
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve guide
Overview
The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve covers about 50,000 hectares of the Zimbabwean Lowveld, next to Gonarezhou National Park. It is run by the Malilangwe Trust, a non-profit organisation founded in 1994, and its tourism income goes back into conservation, research and community programmes.
The landscape is varied and beautiful: mopane and acacia woodland, sandstone ridges, ironwood forest and a series of dams, including Malilangwe Dam, that hold water through the dry season. San rock art and stone ruins are found in the hills.
Only a few guests are hosted at a time, so game viewing is very private. Activities include game drives, guided walks, boat trips on the dams, fishing and visits to rock art sites.
Wildlife & Biodiversity
Big game
Malilangwe is known for its rhino conservation programme, with both black and white rhino, and it is also home to elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard and hyena. Sable antelope, roan antelope, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, giraffe, zebra and nyala are among the plains game.
Birds
Bird life is rich, with raptors, waterbirds on the dams and dry-country specialists.
Best Time to Visit
Short answer: May to October, during the dry season, when animals gather at the dams.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| May – Aug | Dry winter | Mild days, cool nights and good game viewing. |
| Sep – Oct | Late dry season | Hot, with the best concentrations of animals near water. |
| Nov – Apr | Wet summer | Hot and green, with storms, newborn animals and excellent birding. |
The Lowveld is a malaria area, and it gets very hot in October and November.
Getting There
By air
| Airport | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Range (BFO), Chiredzi | Charter and domestic flights | About 30 minutes by road. |
| Harare (HRE) | International and domestic flights | About 6 to 7 hours by road, or a charter flight. |
By road
From Chiredzi, drive south towards Mahenye and Gonarezhou to the reserve. Transfers are arranged when you book.
Entrance & Fees
Malilangwe does not take day visitors. Access is for guests of the reserve's lodge, and reserve fees are included in the booking.
Confirm with the reserve what is included in your rate.
Fees last checked October 2026 against the Malilangwe Trust website.
