Gonarezhou's position at the meeting point of several biomes — the Zambezian region to the north, the Afrotropical lowveld, and the dry woodland of the Limpopo basin — gives it a bird list of extraordinary breadth. Over 500 species have been recorded, and the park includes several Important Bird Areas recognised by BirdLife International. The birding is genuinely world-class, largely unappreciated because the park as a whole receives so few visitors.
The rivers are the prime locations. Pel's fishing owl — nocturnal, enormous, and found only along permanent waterways — is reliably seen along the Runde near Chipinda Pools and at the Save–Runde junction. African fish eagle is ubiquitous. African skimmer nests on sandbanks in the dry season. Along the riverine forest look for Narina trogon, broad-billed roller, brown-headed parrot, and — in the fever-tree groves — various sunbirds and weavers.
The mopane woodland has its own specialists. Lilian's lovebird, at the southern edge of its range, is found in small groups in mature mopane. Racquet-tailed roller, meve's starling, and bearded woodpecker are all typical of this habitat. At the Save–Runde junction, the lily-covered pans attract waders, herons, and wildfowl that are absent from the rest of the park. November to April brings European and Palearctic migrants and is the most productive birding season, though the tracks in this season can be challenging.