As with much of Zimbabwe over the past fifteen years Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge suffered from a drop in tourism and a lack of investment. This gem of a lodge reopened in 2012 after a team of Zimbabwean and international investors recognised the extraordinary potential of the area and the lodge itself. A complete refurbishment was led by original Chilo founding father and head guide Clive Stockil, a real pioneer of Zimbabwean conservation. In 2013 Clive won the Tusk Trust lifetime achievement award for conservation.
The lodge itself is perched high on a rocky outcrop above the Save River on the north eastern boundary of Gonarezhou National Park in south eastern Zimbabwe. The views from the lodge are spectacular, the Save River draws animals in to drink, it is not uncommon to see elephant and buffalo below the lodge, and the river itself is home to large populations of crocodile and hippo.
The style of the lodge is that of a large two level building, it is of timber and stone construction and the large thatch roof keeps the internal areas cool during the heat of the day. At the front of the lodge is a large outdoor pool, the patio in this area is a great location for dinner under the stars.
There are ten chalet rooms each with a lovely private balcony where you can sit and take in the views of the river. There are also two luxury rooms with an interleading balcony, ideal for families.
Chilo Gorge offers a fantastic range of activities and is a brilliant base from which to explore the vast wilderness of Gonarezhou National Park.
