In the 18th century there was an important Portuguese trading centre in the vicinity of where the town is now. Later this vicinity was the hunting ground for those trading in ivory. Now Chegutu and Selous are farming centres, mainly tobacco and maize. Since the land reform programme commercial farming has been replaced by subsistance farming. The two towns are included in the Golden Quadrangle, that section of the country where gold has been and is mined.

Ngezi Recreational Park, run by National Parks is situated almost due south of Chegutu. A tar road leads to it from the main Harare/Bulawayo road. The turn-off is a short distance west of Selous. There are self-catering Lodges looking onto Ngezi dam as well at Camp, Caravan and Picnic facilities.