Zinave National Park
Overview
Mozambique Parks
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Mozambique.
Zinave National Park was declared a protected area in 1972, but just five years later it was ravaged by 16 years of civil war. Today, the park is slowly being restored to its former glory and it recently became a Big Five destination. It forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), which also incorporates Banhine and Limpopo National Parks in Mozambique, Kruger National Park in South Africa and Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Thanks to massive rewilding efforts, Zinave has undergone an incredible transformation in recent years. Since the reintroduction of black and white rhinos in 2022, all of the Big Five can be seen. Predator numbers are still low, but nomadic lions have found their own way to the park through the wildlife corridors established by the GLTFCA. Several spotted hyenas and two leopards were brought in to help restore the ecosystem as well.
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 is mostly a self-drive destination. There are currently no organized activities in the park. Talk to the rangers to find out about the best game-drive tracks. If you spend a couple of days here, you might be able to organize a walking safari as well.
Weather & Climate
Zinave has a tropical climate. It is warm to hot in the Dry season, from May to October. It gets extremely hot and humid in the Wet season, from November to April, but afternoon showers usually break the heat.
Best Time To Visit
Zinave is best visited in the middle and end of the Dry season, from July to October. This is when wildlife viewing is at its best. October might be extremely hot though. During the rainy season, the months from November to March tend to be very hot and humid with regular downpours disrupting activities.
