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A protected area since 1972, Zinave National Park is the most northerly component of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA). It suffered years of intensive poaching prior to the intervention of the Peace Parks Foundation, which translocated thousands of animals into a core sanctuary along the Save River. Now home to all of the Big Five, Zinave is an underrated choice for an off-the-beaten-track safari.
Best Time to Visit
The best time for wildlife viewing in Zinave National Park is from July to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season. This is when the bush has thinned out, which makes animals easier to spot. As it gets drier, animals gather around permanent water sources, especially the Save River and the pans. October is, however, uncomfortably hot.
May to October –Dry Season – Winter
November to April –Wet Season – Summer
Scenery
The Save River, Zinave’s northern border, is the focal point of the park. The park’s only camp features several tents overlooking a scenic spot of the river with a resident hippo pod. The landscape features areas of acacia woodland and miombo forest. But it’s the ancient baobab trees, some of them thousands of years old that are most impressive.
Activities
Zinave functions entirely as a self-drive destination and a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is required to explore its rough roads. A good goal for a game drive is the tree platform perched on a giant baobab above Leadwood Pan. You can also talk to the rangers to find out about the most productive game-drive tracks. There are currently no organized activities, but if you spend a couple of days here, you could try to arrange a walking safari.
From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day
From: July to October (Animals are easier to spot)
From: Never (Little-visited park)
From: 4,080km² / 1,575mi²
Zinave National Park was ravaged during a civil war that ended in 1992, but a rewilding initiative is underway and wildlife numbers are increasing. To date, around 2,500 animals (including 200 elephants) have been translocated into a fenced 186km²/72mi² core sanctuary. But this is just the beginning, as many more animals are likely to be released into the park over the coming years.
Wildlife Highlights
All of the Big Five are present, and while lions and leopards are still very scarce, visitors stand a fair chance of spotting elephants, rhinos, and buffalo. Other wildlife you’re almost certain to see includes zebra, baboon, vervet monkey, warthog, and antelope such as wildebeest, nyala, bushbuck, greater kudu, impala, waterbuck, and common duiker. Giraffes and eland are less common but also quite often encountered, and the Save River is home to lots of crocodiles and hippos.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The middle and end of the Dry season, from July to October, is the best time for spotting animals in Zinave. Wildlife is easier to see at this time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Save River.
Zinave National Park has a hot, tropical climate with a distinct Wet and Dry season. The Dry season, from May to October, offers the most comfortable travel conditions. It is cooler and less humid, and the best wildlife-viewing months (July to October) fall within this period.
Dry Season –May to October – Winter
The Dry season is the best time of year for wildlife viewing with animal sightings getting better as the bush thins out. The days are warm to hot, but the nights are cool.
Wet Season –November to April – Summer
The heat and humidity are extreme in the Wet season, but afternoon thundershowers often bring relief. Roads might deteriorate due to heavy rain.
Zinave National Park is about 250km/155 mi (mostly on dirt roads) from Vilanculos, one of Mozambique’s key tourism areas and the main gateway to the park. The best route is via Mapinhane and Mabote, which takes 6 to 7 hours*. Coming from South Africa’s Kruger National Park or Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park, it’s around 380km/235 mion dirt from Mapai via Mabote, a drive that takes 8 to 10 hours*. However you drive to Zinave, a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is required to explore the park, and often to reach it, especially in the rainy season (from November to April and into May).If flying to Mozambique, Maputo International Airport (MPM) will likely be your entry point into the country. It is very close to the capital, Maputo (3km/2mi away). From Mapto you can start a road trip in southern Mozambique that includes a stay in Zinave. The distance from Maputo to Vilanculos is about 720km/450 mi.
All domestic and charter flights are usually booked by your tour operator as part of your package. Scheduled domestic flights to Vilanculos can be booked with LAM (from Maputo and Johannesburg, South Africa) and SA Airlink (from Johannesburg and Mbombela, South Africa).*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.
Airlines & Ticket Prices
Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Maputo International Airport (MPM), and what tickets would cost.
Pasport, Visa & Other Entry Requirements
Please check our Getting There – Mozambique page to learn more about passports, visas, COVID-19, and other entry requirements.
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