Gorongosa National Park
Discover Gorongosa National Park
The 4,000 km Gorongosa National Park in Central Mozambique is at the southern end of the East African Great Rift Valley. The park includes the valley floor and parts of the surrounding plateaus, which are watered by rivers originating from nearby 1862-meter Mount Gorongosa. It was the subject of a 2010 National Geographic film, Africa's Lost Eden, and is one of Mozambique's main safari destinations. Seasonal flooding and waterlogging of the valley, which is composed of a mosaic of different soil types, creates a variety of distinct ecosystems. Grasslands are dotted with patches of acacia trees, savannah, dry forest on sands and seasonally rain-filled pans and termite hill thickets. The plateaus contain miombo and montane forests and a spectacular rain forest at the base of a series of limestone gorges.
What to Experience in Gorongosa National Park
Taste of Gorongosa National Park...
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A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Gorongosa National Park into what it is today.
The dramatic landscape and abundant wildlife of the Gorongosa region have long attracted hunters, explorers, and naturalists. The first official act to protect some of its splendor came in 1920, when the Mozambique Company ordered 1,000 km² set aside as a hunting reserve for company administrators and their guests. Chartered by the government of Portugal, the Mozambique Company controlled all of central Mozambique between 1891 and 1940. Little is known about the reserve's early years, only that at some point a local man named Jose Ferreira began living in a thatched hut in Chitengo camp and guarding wildlife. In 1935 Mr. Jose Henriques Coimbra was named warden and Mr. Ferreira became the reserve's first guide. The same year the Mozambique Company enlarged the reserve to 3,200 km² to protect habitat for Nyala (an antelope) and black rhino, both highly prized hunting trophies. By 1940, the reserve had become so popular that a new headquarters and tourist camp was built on the floodplain near the Mussicadzi River. Unfortunately, it had to be abandoned two years later due to heavy flooding in the rainy season. Lions then occupied the abandoned building and it became a tourist attraction for many years, known as the -18.904434.37671 Lion House (Casa dos Leões). After the Mozambique Company's charter ended, management of the reserve was transferred to the colonial government. Mr. Alfredo Rodriques was appointed Warden, replacing Mr. Coimbra. Over the next 14 years Mr....
Climate
Central Mozambique has a tropical savanna climate, with an annual rainfall of 1000 – 1400 mm. Summer temperatures average 30º-40º C, with high humidity (November - March). Winter months average 15º–25º C (April - September). Chitengo Safari Camp offers modern cabanas with air conditioning, restaurant and swimming pools; the camp is open throughout the year except for the period from December to the end of March for the rainy season. Photo safaris at the park are possible from April to November (dry season). During the rainy season (December to March) the safari road network is closed due to flooding. Mozambique’s national language is Portuguese. Many people in its main cities (Maputo, Beira, Chimoio) also speak English. In and around Gorongosa National Park, local residents speak either Sena or Chi-Gorongosi (a local dialect), although many also know some Portuguese. Staff in Chitengo speak English and Portuguese widely, and some speak other European languages.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsInternational flights arrive in Beira, Mozambique’s second-largest city, which serves as the main gateway to the park. Ethiopian Air flies in 5 times per week and from Beira, travellers can take a short Safari Air charter directly into Gorongosa, or connect via a newly introduced scheduled route between Beira and Vilanculos, enabling easy combinations of a safari in Gorongosa with Mozambique’s coastal destinations. Private charter flights are available between these destinations on demand. Gorongosa also features a licensed airstrip at Chitengo HQ suitable for charter aircraft. The park’s main gate opens at 6AM and closes at 6PM. This shifts to a half-hour/hour earlier or later depending on the time of year. Maputo and Beira have Imperial and Avis rental car agencies. Rates vary, depending on the agency, the car you rent, and if you need a driver, but typically they are about US$125 per day....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
You may not self drive within Gorongosa National Park. Trained guides can take you on 3-hour early morning and sunset game-viewing drives to view wildlife on the approximately 100 km of game roads from Chitengo. The drives will traverse various ecosystems, including floodplains, miombo forest, and lowland savanna. Due to safety reasons, children under 6 years are not allowed in the open game-viewing vehicle. Most excursions to the surrounding park are organized as tours by the safari providers. Montebelo, for example, offers three wildlife safaris per day. Longer excursions can be booked with these providers to sites such as Lake Urema, Mount Gorongosa, and Mozambican villages. The only store in the area is in Vila Gorongosa, a 90-minute drive from the park's Chitengo area with most food and accommodation. Buy supplies before you arrive in one of the cities en-route. Restaurants and food are provided by the safari with whom you book (Gorongosa Safaris or Montebelo).
Where to Stay
You can't stay in the safari park itself overnight as the entrance gate is closed. You'll need to stay in a lodge or campsite for the night. Gorongosa offers a variety of accommodation options: tented safari camps, community-run sites and a lodge. Don't try "true" backcountry camping in the park here without a safari guide, as given the dangers of the safari (lions, wild hogs, etc.), you'll want to stay on tour with a local guide while exploring the park. Gorongosa National Park is mostly wilderness surrounded by rural areas with only a few small, scattered villages. Whether you’re traveling by air, car or bus, you’ll want to make careful travel arrangements well in advance. Gorongosa National Park does not sell fuel. Buy fuel only from stations that look respectable and have a functioning electric pump. The closest reliable stations are in Vila da Gorongosa, Gondola, Nhamatanda, Beira, Dondo, Chimoio and Caia.
Language & Talk
Mozambique’s national language is Portuguese. Many people in its main cities (Maputo, Beira, Chimoio) also speak English. In and around Gorongosa National Park, local residents speak either Sena or Chi-Gorongosi (a local dialect), although many also know some Portuguese. Staff in Chitengo speak English and Portuguese widely, and some speak other European languages. International flights arrive in Beira, Mozambique’s second-largest city, which serves as the main gateway to the park. Ethiopian Air flies in 5 times per week and from Beira, travellers can take a short Safari Air charter directly into Gorongosa, or connect via a newly introduced scheduled route between Beira and Vilanculos, enabling easy combinations of a safari in Gorongosa with Mozambique’s coastal destinations.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Gorongosa National Park is mostly wilderness surrounded by rural areas with only a few small, scattered villages. Whether you’re traveling by air, car or bus, you’ll want to make careful travel arrangements well in advance. Gorongosa National Park does not sell fuel. Buy fuel only from stations that look respectable and have a functioning electric pump. The closest reliable stations are in Vila da Gorongosa, Gondola, Nhamatanda, Beira, Dondo, Chimoio and Caia. Fuel at other locations may be dirty or mixed with water or other chemicals. The park's small health clinic provides basic first-aid, including anti-venom for some kinds of bites and primary anti-malarial treatments. Gorongosa National Park is a recognized malaria area, so a course of prophylactic medicine two weeks before departure (or as prescribed by your pharmacist or physician) is recommended. For serious medical problems, the park provides transportation to the health clinic in Vila Gorongosa, a 1.