Gorongosa Reimagined: One to Watch

The Gorongosa Restoration Project is a beautiful story about courage, tenacity, community and commitment. For the global conservation community, it is a beacon of hope. For travellers, it offers a rare chance to experience the tangible product of this virtue made real.

Phoenix Rising: A Story of Restoration

A far cry from its war-ravaged past, Gorongosa's future looks bright thanks to a diverse, dedicated group of individuals and community members making conservation history through this decades-long rewilding project. The Greg Carr Foundation is instrumental in the restoration of the land and commitment to community upliftment.

First Impressions of Gorongosa

Here, we share insights from our Rhino Africa Travel Experts Carl Preller, Janine Gous, and Justine Ryan, who recently visited the national park in Mozambique and stayed at Muzimu Lodge.

Diverse and pristine, Gorongosa has seven ecosystems three times the size of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa. Currently, the lodge footprint in the south is enough to captivate your senses and safari stays of at least five nights are encouraged to allow the experience to seep into your soul.

The well-travelled trio tell me that with its vast landscapes, diverse wildlife, and unique conservation efforts, Gorongosa is an outstanding wilderness destination. Perhaps one of Africa's last of the great natural strongholds. If matched with the right kind of traveller, the unconventional luxury of this premier destination could work for both seasoned safari-goers and first-timers. Due to the vastness of the landscape, it provides an environment that enables exclusive encounters with nature.

More Than a Feeling

Carl Preller, who has been with Rhino Africa for nine years, was "blown away" by the sheer size of the reserve, stretching over 370,000 hectares. He says the scenery changes dramatically every few minutes, from fever tree forests to open plains and winter thorn forests.

He says, "It's almost like Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana in one. Every day was different, and we saw no vehicles at all."

Carl recommends Gorongosa for return travellers looking for something different and unique. He also suggests combining it with a premier safari destination like Sabi Sand for first-time visitors. Consider following your safari with one of Mozambique's gorgeous beach destinations to elevate your experience of the area.

Location and Access 

Long-standing safari consultant Justine highlights the unique location of Gorongosa National Park, reminiscent of the Lower Zambezi, Mana Pools and Okavango Delta, thanks to the diversity of ecosystems.

The national park offers access to game drives, walking safaris, and seasonal water activities like canoeing and boating. With only 14 game drive vehicles in 377,000 hectares, the low vehicle density ensures an exclusive experience without the hefty price tag.

Gorongosa National Park, serviced by the reliable commercial airline Airlink, the flight from Johannesburg to Beira takes one hour and 45 minutes. Next, take an onward Safari Air 30-minute bush plane flight from Beira Airport, followed by a 30-minute game drive from the airstrip to Muzimu Camp. 

Authentic, Amazing Accommodation

Justine rates the food and beverage offerings at Muzimu Lodge as top quality, with fresh ingredients and 5-star quality. Light, fresh cuisine is the order of the day. If you love a good salad, you're in luck.

The staff here are down-to-earth, friendly, optimistic and engaging, earning a 5-star rating for customer service. The team is proud and passionate about their rejuvenation project, and it shows. They're keen to partner with the tourism supply chain to get the word out about their fantastic commitment to the ecosystem.

Justine says, "The guides, the scenery, the expansive park – [it] feels like you are the only people exploring the national park. Pure, wild, untouched wilderness."

The Home of Memorable Wildlife Experiences

While Gorongosa is a wilderness immersion destination, the wildlife and birdlife opportunities are exceptional. Justine notes that the guides have extensive experience in Southern and East Africa, providing a top-quality interpretive safari to guests. The lodge managers and safari guides are well-travelled. They've cut their teeth in the luxury safari industry at some of Africa's most revered heart-quickening safari brands.

The national park's accommodation offering, Wild Camp and Muzimu Lodge, respectively, offers excellent value for money, with unique wildlife experiences that add multifaceted elements to the safari. The exclusivity and limited game vehicles enhance the overall experience.

If all goes according to plan, Muzimu Lodge's guiding team will increase by four new trackers in 2025. Gorongosa's restoration is a work in progress that has spanned two decades.

Key project stakeholders work tirelessly and with fervent dedication, rallying the surrounding communities and building bridges of understanding, cooperation, and posterity. And this is just the beginning.

In addition to safari game drives from the end of March to the end of May, guests may embark on water-based activities such as canoeing and boating safaris to discover water-dwelling fauna, hippos, crocodiles and aquatic birds. Morning and afternoon game drives aside, Muzimu Lodge offers night drives and walking safaris, subject to certain favourable conditions.

Making The Most Of Muzimu Lodge

Justine recommends adding an extra night or two to fully experience all the activities, including a visit to Mount Gorongosa, home to the green-headed oriole, an endemic species highly sought-after in birding circles.

The fly camp at Mount Gorongosa offers an unforgettable sleep-out experience punctuated by an avian chorus to remember. Birdlife is prolific, with the trio clocking over 80 species in around three days.  

Learn More Than You Imagined

Aside from the safari activities, guests can visit the Pangolin Rescue Center, which provides opportunities to glean insights into this gentle, secretive species, which sadly is the world's most trafficked animal. The EO Wilson Laboratory offers a fascinating insight into the ongoing scientific research activity. 

Authentic community visits shed light on the excellent work helping to manage human-wildlife conflict in the communities through chilli pepper cultivation and beekeeping along the national park's buffer zone. Doing so discourages elephants from wandering into the community's crops. Further, as a potential chilli pepper supplier, the community farming initiative is being eyed by hot sauce titan Nando's.  

As a result of the rewilding efforts, the reserve supports a diverse population of predators and prey. However, the landscape does not support giraffes, rhinos or cheetahs. Going out and seeing what you can find on a game drive, safari walk, canoe, or boat provides incomparable excitement and enduring memories.

The Feel-Good Factor

Janine was impressed by Gorongosa's innovative conservation efforts. She felt a part of a conscious movement to rebuild and salvage the land once devastated by civil war. The passion and energy of the guides and lodge staff were evident, making her feel connected to the national park's impact and conservation initiatives.

Life-changing Gorongosa Moments

Janine has worked at Rhino Africa for eight years and shares two standout moments from her trip. A seasoned safari-goer, she was captivated by the birdlife on the first day, describing it as a bird haven. The landscape seemed to explode with a cacophony of calls and colours as myriad species flittered between the trees.

Another memorable highlight was the first sundowner stop, where they enjoyed gin and tonics by a large body of water, surrounded by grunting hippos and basking crocodiles, as the sky turned deep shades of pink and orange. She says, "Whether you're a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor, Gorongosa and Muzimu Lodge promise a safari adventure like no other."

Are You Ready to Explore Gorongosa?

Discover one of the best-kept safari secrets in Southern Africa with us. Our Travel Experts can't wait to plan your trip to Gorongosa National Park. Contact us today to make your travel dreams come true!