Chiredzi and Triangle are centers serving the huge sugar plantations in the South East Lowveld. Natural vegetation in the searing hot climate is semi-arid scrub punctuated with baobab trees. Two of Zimbabwe's great rivers meander their way through to the Indian Ocean - the Runde and the Savé (pronounced Sarvee).

The Savé Valley Conservancy lies east of Chiredzi and borders on Gonarezhou National Park. Tailored safaris and private vehicle are ways to access both.

Entry to Gonarezhou National Park at Chipinda Pools may be from Masvingo, Ngundu Halt or Mutare. 18 km east of Chiredzi turn south at the Chipinda Pools sign-post. Follow the gravel road for approximately 34 km to the entrance of the Park.

Entry to Gonarezhou National Park at Mabalauta is from the main Masvingo/Beitbridge road. Turn east at the Mwenezi Police Station, which is about 20 km South of Rutenga. This road is un-tarred.

What to Pack: Light, loose fitting cotton garments for hot summer days are best. Take plenty of sun-filter cream, a pair of sun glasses and a large-brimmed hat. Always carry a bottle of drinking water. Evenings are cooler and call for light cotton cover-up garments. A malaria prophylactic is a good idea. Winter temperatures are more comfortable. Early mornings and nights could call for a cardigan or warm shirt.

General Interest: Triangle Sugar Estate was developed over a number of years by a Scotsman, Murray MacDougall. He charted and supervised the building of an irrigation canal from the Mtirikwe River where a weir was built. The MacDougall Weir, Canals and Tunnel are now a National Monument. Today Triangle and Hippo Valley estates have transformed hectares of parched bush to an oasis of sugar cane, irrigated from Lake Mtirikwe near Masvingo.