Wildlife tourism in Gonarezhou National Park, southeast Zimbabwe: opportunities for wildlife viewing

The aim of this study was to (i) estimate wild animal abundances, distribution and species diversity and (ii) examine the opportunities for wildlife viewing in major tourist areas in the southern part of Gonarezhou National Park (GNP), southeast Zimbabwe. In this study, road strip counts were used. A total of 93.5 km were traversed and 15 wild animal species were recorded. The overall species diversity and density of the recorded 15 wild animal species during this study differed among transects and habitat types in southern GNP. More animals were sighted in areas near the Mwenezi River with transects away from the river recording fewer animals. Overally, there were clear differences in the spatial distribution of animal species, suggesting greater habitat heterogeneity and increased opportunities of wildlife viewing in southern GNP.