It’s unfathomable for me how Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique, now teeming with abundant wildlife, had been decimated by the country’s post-independence civil war, which ended in 1992. And yet, stepping onto its soil and meeting its people, I can now understand how a place so profoundly special could summon the resilience to revive itself, recovering with strength and spirit that's truly inspiring to all who are lucky enough to visit. In August this year, I was one of the lucky ones and asked to join a group of three others to recce this “new safari destination”. And, oh boy, did we not know what we were missing!
Gorongosa National Park exceeded my expectations in every way, Image Credit: Janine Gous
What Makes Gorongosa National Park Special?
Located at the south of the Great Rift Valley, Gorongosa National Park is at the opening, so to speak, of two parallel fault lines which unzipped the earth, formed approximately 20 million years ago.
Its location alone is unique, and this is evident when you move through the seven different ecosystems. From the floodplains filled with antelope to the skies bursting with birdlife, this national park holds promise and hope.
Peace and Rejuvenation
On August 1, 2019, the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Accord agreement, forged between Mozambique's government and the opposition Renamo party, solidified the national park's role as a symbol of unity and renewal. Declared a "Park for Peace", Gorongosa now stands as a beacon of hope, fostering both conservation and human development for the communities that share its remarkable landscape.
I've travelled all over Africa, visiting safari destinations like Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. But visiting Gorongosa in Mozambique had a unique and profound impact on me. The combination of its history – knowing where it has come from and learning about where it's going – makes you feel a part of something much bigger! It's an incredible feeling knowing you're directly contributing to the growth and sustainability of such a special part of the world.
Untamed landscapes in Gorongosa National Park, Image Credit: Janine Gous
My Accommodation Highlights
After flying 30 minutes up the Pungwe River from Beira, the capital of Sofala Province in central Mozambique, we arrived in paradise. We fell out of the small plane into the friendly arms of our safari guide, Richard, and we immediately resonated with our tracker’s name, Lucky.
Once in the vehicle, we enjoyed an ice-cold 2M (a refreshing favourite local beer), and it was mere minutes before we were greeted by an enormous bull elephant, calculating his pathway towards us with a particular mopane tree on his mind. We made our way through the towering fever tree forest until we reached our first stop: Wild Camp.
Birdlife abounds in Gorongosa National Park , Image Credit: Janine Gous
Wild Camp
Nestled under a canopy of trees and opening up to a waterhole right in front of us, the eco-friendly, solar-powered Wild Camp is the perfect place to kick off your shoes and immerse yourself in nature. Being one of two camps in the Gorongosa National Park, which covers over 370,000 hectares, you’re not going to get as exclusive and remote as this.
We settled into our Meru-style tent, which has everything you need, like a comfortable bed, crisp linen, flushing toilet, running water and my personal favourite, the bucket shower. If you haven’t tried one before, you’re missing out on being transported back to a much simpler time! Hearing the leaves crunch beneath my boots as I walked toward the crackling fireplace, with the Milky Way painting the pristine African sky, this was the perfect spot to settle down with a refreshing gin and tonic.
Your wilderness home, Image Credit: Gorongosa National Park
Muzimu Camp
If the sound of Wild Camp is not up your alley, then you can choose a more luxurious option, Muzimu Camp, which means “spirit”. The only other lodge in the area, Muzimu combines well with Wild Camp, offering a bit more comfort when it comes to wooden walkways, larger rooms, standard showers that you’re used to, and a more established main area with a swimming pool. The camp overlooks the Mussicadzi River, which flows with water in season.
Across both Wild Camp and Muzimu Camp, the food was top-notch! Some of the best food and meal options I’ve had on safari with an array of fresh ingredients grown just outside of the national park by the local communities. I must mention their coffee, too! Exclusive to the country, it’s grown and harvested on Mount Gorongosa, another interesting day-trip option to explore during a visit here. Here, you’ll also find the very rare green-headed oriole, a bright yellow and green bird you’ll only find in this part of Africa.
A little haven in Mozambique, Image Credit: Gorongosa National Park
Why Gorongosa is a Must-Visit Destination
Still wondering if a Gorongosa National Park safari is for you? Here are some of the reasons it will tick every box for these particular type of travellers.
For Adventurous Travellers
Gorongosa offers guests the chance to explore areas where only camp guides are permitted, with no public access, ensuring an exclusive and intimate experience. Since it's a relatively “new” safari destination to the wider safari world, this destination is pristine and so untouched, offering guests a truly authentic safari experience.
African wild dogs are a treat to see on your Gorongosa National Park safari, Image Credit: Janine Gous
For Conservation-Minded Travellers
This national park is a beacon of hope for biodiversity, with groundbreaking rewilding initiatives and strong ties to local communities. As a result, it allows guests to witness thriving wildlife and visit impactful community projects, which adds a sense of purpose to the adventure.
For Nature Enthusiasts
Not only for abundant wildlife you’ll expect to see on safari, Gorongosa is a haven for birdwatchers, home to treasures like the green-headed oriole on Mount Gorongosa. Each unique biome unveils new wonders, which weave together a variety of destinations, including Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Zambia’s Lower Zambezi, making every moment unforgettable and so unique.
Immerse yourself in natural beauty, Image Credit: Janine Gous
Embark on Your Own Gorongosa National Park Safari
Gorongosa’s grit is etched into every riverbend and every root reaching deep into the earth. You can feel its resilience as soon as you touch the soil, smell the trees, converse with its people and appreciate its wildlife.
Gorongosa showed me that a safari isn’t just about the big game – it’s about appreciating every layer of the ecosystem you’re visiting, knowing the people that call it home, and contributing to the future prospects of how nature will take its course and correct itself if we allow it to.
Our Travel Experts are ready to not only take you here but to make your Gorongosa National Park safari the best experience you’ve ever had. Let's start planning!
Featured Image Credit: Janine Gous
