Gorongosa National Park
Expert Reviews (5)
Mozambique Parks
Heather is a British travel / conservation journalist, and has written for publications and broadcasters such as the BBC, Departures, the Telegraph and the Sunday Times.
7 people found this review helpful.
Wild Gorongosa Is One for Science, Conservation and Nature Enthusiasts
Gorongosa is a park for more experienced safari-goers. The wildlife here is still recovering after being hit hard by Mozambique’s 16-year civil war that ended in 1992 – the elephants are particularly nervous of people. But recovering it is, aided by rewilding efforts: wild dogs were introduced in 2018 and are thriving. The park’s wetlands are home to a rich birdlife and an enormous number of crocodiles. Gorongosa is a hub for research (several new species have been discovered in recent years) and it’s a brilliant destination for those interested in science, conservation and nature. Based on all the knowledge it’s possible to gather on a visit here and the access to real experts, it’s probably my favourite safari destination to date.
Sue is an award-winning writer who specializes in African travel and conservation. She writes for national newspapers, magazines, Rough Guides and Lonely Planet.
6 people found this review helpful.
Glorious Gorongosa
Gorongosa is a special place: I love it as much for its romance and history as for its wildlife and scenery. Although it’s not the easiest or cheapest place to get to (a flight to Beira is the best way, then it’s a drive of at least four hours), once there, you’ll be part of one of the most incredible conservation projects on the continent.
In the 1950s Gorongosa attracted Hollywood A-listers like Ava Gardner and Gregory Peck, but later took center stage in the internecine conflicts in Mozambique, with both Renamo and Frelimo forces decimating the wildlife. Greg Carr, an American philanthropist, stepped in to save the park in 2004 and has since helped regenerate it to such an extent that it is now thriving. It’s been described as the most biodiverse park on the planet and new species previously unknown to science have been discovered here.
It’s beautiful too, with expansive golden plains, lakes and mountains, and fabulous fever-tree forests and palms. The wildlife is returning with lion populations being restored, wild dogs making an appearance and absolutely masses of antelopes. I visited twice, five years apart, and was blown away by its progress during those intervening years. It’s been bruised and battered, but its beauty still shines through and I desperately want to return…
Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.
6 people found this review helpful.
Mozambique’s Conservation Flagship
One of Africa’s finest safari destinations during the colonial era, Gorongosa went through a lean time during the post-independence civil war, when it virtually served as a laager to the troops based within it. Since 2004, however, it has gained ground as a genuinely worthwhile safari destination, and the best non-marine wildlife-viewing destination in Mozambique. Our visit focused on the floodplains, where we saw plenty of waterbuck, reedbuck, impala and other antelope, as well as lion, elephant and buffalo, all at close quarters. We also enjoyed the dazzling variety of waterbirds on the floodplain, and made a side trip to climb nearby Mount Gorongosa, home to southern Africa’s only population of the eagerly sought green-headed oriole (we missed out, but our guide reckoned the odds of a sighting are 50/50). Overall, this is a fabulous work-in-progress, and it should only get better, though recent instability along the Beira Corridor – the main access road – has put an end to self-drive exploration.
Ariadne is a renowned African wildlife photographer whose work is featured in many well-known guidebooks and magazines.
5 people found this review helpful.
On the Path To Recovery
Gorongosa is arguably Mozambique’s best wildlife destination. As is the case with all Mozambican reserves, it was depleted of wildlife during the civil war. The ‘Gorongosa Project’, a partnership that started in 2008 between the government and the private Carr Foundation, put the park back on the map.
Despite many setbacks created by political instability in the area, wildlife numbers have increased a lot, and the park runs a smooth operation for tourists once again.
We saw quite a lot of wildlife during our stay. Highlights were a herd of elephants drinking at a marsh in the forest and a lone young lion walking casually along the road. A close-up encounter with a majestic sable antelope bull was a treat as well.
From the main camp we went on a day trip to Mount Gorongosa, known as a birding hot spot. We ticked off several lifers, including the sought-after green-headed oriole. After all the hype it was remarkably easy to find due to its distinctive bubbling call. A refreshing swim at the impressive Morumbodzi Waterfall was the perfect end to a fabulous day out in a remote part of Africa.
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Mary is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including South Africa, Tanzania, East Africa and Africa.
3 people found this review helpful.
A Conservation Success Story in the Making
Beautiful Gorongosa, with its mix of grasslands, lake and forest, is a completely unique safari experience. The park, once a gem on the southern African safari circuit, was plundered during Mozambique’s long war and it was only in the early 2000s, with the support of American philanthropist Greg Carr, that it began to breathe again. Over the past two decades, Gorongosa has experienced a remarkable revival. The best places for spotting wildlife are at Lake Urema and on the surrounding floodplains. With luck you may see some of the park’s once-famous lions, as well as elephant, buffalo, wildebeest and waterbuck. The lake itself hosts hippos, crocodiles and a wealth of waterbirds. At the park’s only lodge, vervet monkeys play in the trees and warthogs wander on the lawn. Wild dogs were reintroduced in 2018, and are now seen with some regularity, and the abundance and variety of birds is almost immediately obvious, even to the untrained eye and ear. Community involvement has been a hallmark of Gorongosa’s rehabilitation, and one of the park’s attractions is being able to visit surrounding villages and learn about efforts to integrate conservation with improvement of local livelihoods. Another Gorongosa highlight is the chance to hike on the lower slopes of nearby Mt Gorongosa, with its pretty waterfalls and vistas. Due to seasonal flooding, Gorongosa is closed from December to April.