Do you have a dream destination you’ve held in your heart for years? If so, then this post is for you!
One of the most powerful things we can do as women is follow the pull of a place that speaks to us, even if it takes years to get there.
In today’s guest post, I’m honored to share the story of Susan Pitcher, a longtime traveler, art curator, and seeker of remote wild places, who finally made her way to the little-known Gonarezhou National Park in southern Zimbabwe.
Susan’s story is more than just a safari… it’s about listening to your curiosity, trusting your instincts, and leaning into the unknown. Her experience reflects everything The Hiker Babe stands for: the confidence to travel to new places, the courage to go off the beaten path, and the growth that comes from pushing outside our comfort zones.
Whether you’re planning a trip to Africa or dreaming of a big adventure, I know Susan’s story will inspire you to trust your journey, and maybe even book that trip you’ve been thinking about for far too long.
A Journey Into the Heart of Wild Zimbabwe
-Guest Post by Susan Pitcher
Where Is Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe — and Why Did I Choose It?
When you spend years dreaming about visiting a faraway place, there’s always a mysterious curiosity: What will it be like? What if it doesn’t live up to the dream? I thought about that often while researching African safaris back in the early 2000s.
At the time, I was managing an art gallery in downtown San Francisco and had just begun renovating a 1916 bungalow in Oakland. Life was full. But the dream lingered. And nearly two decades later, I finally planned a safari to Southern Africa.
I’ve never liked the word safari. I preferred to say, “going to see the animals.” The word always felt too formal, too luxurious, for people who liked highly organized group tours and had deep pockets.
Of course, safari comes from the Swahili word for “journey” or “expedition.” It became popular in the early 19th century, often referring to big-game hunting trips in search of the so-called “Big Five”: lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. These days, there are even spinoffs: the “Tiny Five,” the “Shy Five,” the “Ugly Five,” and the “Impossible Five.”
But I wasn’t interested in hunting any of them, not even with a camera. My dream was simpler, maybe a bit unrealistic… to quietly wander through a vast, remote place with a skilled guide, and stumble upon incredible animals just being in their natural world.
Most safari-goers head to Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, or South Africa. Maybe Uganda, if they’re after gorillas. But Zimbabwe? It rarely came up.
That changed when I started reading the Financial Times weekend edition’s Travel section. Printed on its signature pink paper, it became my favorite source of off-the-beaten-path inspiration. That’s when I started diving into Zimbabwe research. And the more I read, the more I knew it was where I wanted to go.
I eventually chose the country’s remote southern region, the Lowveld, over the heavily touristed north, home to the famous Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders” in Kololo), also known as Victoria Falls.
Why Gonarezhou?
The scale of Southern Africa’s parks is impossible to grasp until you’re there. South Africa’s Kruger National Park is enormous… five million acres, visited by nearly two million people annually. Yosemite, by comparison, is 750,000 acres and had four million visitors last year.
Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe is over 1.2 million acres, but sees just about 5,000 visitors per year. That’s roughly 14 people a day. It’s a true wilderness: a fence-free, transfrontier park bordering Mozambique and Kruger.
In 2021, a client from my San Francisco gallery, who had grown up in Johannesburg, connected me with her friend Diana Granoux, founder of Leopard Voyage. After years in corporate life, Diana had recently launched a boutique travel business focused on Southern Africa. She was born in Zimbabwe, and it was her guidance that ultimately led me to book my trip to Africa for summer 2022.
I remember hitting confirm on the booking. That jolt of fear and excitement… it was real. I’d waited so long, and now I was going. Into the unknown. But into something I’d dreamed of for nearly twenty years.
Preparing to Go Off-Grid
June through August is the dry season in Zimbabwe, their winter, making it the best time for wildlife viewing, with cooler temperatures and fewer mosquitoes. I had also considered Hwange National Park, home to a renowned painted dog conservation center, but decided instead to immerse myself fully in just one place: Gonarezhou, for ten days.
I also took comfort in knowing that Zimbabwe’s professional guides go through one of the most rigorous training programs in Africa. Their reputation is world-class and gave me confidence. Of course, I also made sure to buy excellent travel insurance, just in case.
Everyone brings some expectations to Africa… excitement, curiosity, maybe a little fear of the unknown. And somehow, my experience was nothing like I expected… and exactly what I had imagined.
The Road to Gonarezhou
After a very long flight to Johannesburg, I flew to Buffalo Range Zimbabwe. Then it was 3 hours by SUV to Gonarezhou.
It’s dry season, and the dust kicks up fast. I want to roll down the window for fresh air, but the afternoon heat presses in. I’m dressed for the chilly morning when we left… jeans and clunky American hiking boots, and now I’m sweating. I pull off my boots, slip on my flip-flops, and finally change into a linen dress right there in the passenger seat.
Of course, I’m in the front, the driver’s side if we were in the U.S. Our driver, George, is young, polite, and noticeably quiet as I maneuver in my seat. He glances over, mildly concerned, but says nothing. He is beyond polite. I realize my manners are going to get a workout.
Arriving at the Edge of the Wild
When we reach the Chilo Lodge, I walk to the edge of a cliffside deck overlooking the Save River. Below, I spot elephants, crocodiles, and baboons. It’s hard to describe the feeling.
This place is vast. Untamed. Quiet. Pristine.
It is Gonarezhou.
Final Thoughts
If this trip taught me anything, it’s this… don’t wait forever to chase the thing that calls to you.
Sometimes it takes longer to fulfill your travel dreams and that’s oaky. Keep dreaming and be curious, ask people about their trips and think about what really captivates you.
Every journey leads to the next. Whether it is hiking a local trail or traveling to a remote place like Gonarezhou, each adventure is equally important.
We are all more capable than we think.
Want To Join Me On My Next Safari Trip??
My next trip to Gonarezhou is already booked for June 2026… a walking safari with Mike Scott of Khangela Safaris. I can’t wait to return!
I’m looking for a few more adventurers to join me on the safari! If you are interested in joining me on my June 2026 safari trip, please contact me for more details:
Email: Susan@Chandlersf.com
About the Author:
Originally from the UK, Susan Pitcher is an art gallery owner, backpacker, hiking guide and lifelong traveler who finds inspiration in remote, wild places. When she’s not working with art and framing, she is an animal lover and enjoys talking about dogs, especially the African painted dogs. Susan currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area.
What to Pack for a Safari
Long sleeve safari shirt
Lightweight cargo pants
Safari Hat
Lightweight summer scarf
Flip-flops for camp
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This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the blog and my hiking adventures!
