• Settings:
Gorongosa National ParkContact a Specialist Scroll

Location
Gorongosa

Gorongosa National Park

Details
7 DAYS FROM 12500 PP

Best time to go
SEPTEMBER 2024

Lion Fever Tree Close Crop Of

Wildlife & Wilderness Gorongosa Safari

Small Group with Rob Janisch

Known in Mozambique as the ‘Park for Peace’, Gorongosa is one of Africa’s last true wild places with the greatest wildlife restoration story. When the war ended in 1992, the landscape was devastated and more than 90% of Gorongosa’s large mammals had disappeared. Efforts were made to rehabilitate Gorongosa after the war but it wasn’t until 2004, when American philanthropist Greg Carr partnered with the Mozambican government to restore the park, that it started coming back to life. The Gorongosa Restoration Project has worked with the Government of Mozambique for the past 20 years to restore wildlife to the Gorongosa National Park, in what is perhaps the greatest restoration success in Africa. Gorongosa boasts a remarkable variety of different ecosystems, each with its own “cast of characters”. After several surveys, some of the world’s leading scientists have declared Gorongosa to be one of the most biodiverse places on Earth.

Join Natural World Safaris on this one-of-a-kind, expertly guided trip to see at first hand how this resilient park has recovered from its dark past.

CAT St Mozambique Gorongosa National Park Lion Shutterstock Vladislav T Jirousek

why book this trip


Visiting the park is one of the best ways to support conservation, the local communities, and the long-term future of this incredible and important wildlife area. We will have unique behind-the-scenes experiences, whilst being able to meet and interact with the team that manage the park on the ground. Hopefully various members of the team will join us throughout the course of the week to provide deeper insight into what it takes to conserve such a vast area of wild Africa.

Support The Gorongosa Restoration Project by Joining this Expeditions for Change

This trip will provide participants with a full insight into the diligent work being carried out by the Gorongosa Restoration Project. You’ll have the opportunity to have behind-the-scenes access and meet with scientists conducting critical research plus several conservation heroes. You will also likely participate in hands-on collection of data, contributing in a tangible way to the research.

The Gorongosa Park Girls’ Club

Mozambique’s female literacy rate is less than half that of males (28% vs 60 %) and data shows that only around 11% of girls in Mozambique continue to secondary school. This initiative provides a safe and encouraging environment for young girls to study, learn life skills, explore career options, and receive mentoring from young women. As a result, girls grow into educated women who are eligible for employment.

The Wildlife Vets

Gorongosa is proud to have the first wildlife veterinary unit operating full-time in a national park. The wildlife vets work alongside several projects (pangolins and painted wolves to name a few), and as necessary aid in animal captures and relocations. Subject to animal needs on the day, we hope to meet some of the team of vets and if possible, join them out in the field.

The Pangolin Rehabilitation Centre

Labelled as the most trafficked mammal in the world, Pangolins are under immense threat that could lead to extinction. The goal of this project is to protect and conserve this species. With the help of the rangers and vets, pangolins are rescued from poachers and brought to safety at the rehabilitation centre. Once at the centre the animals are assessed, cared for, fed and when the time is right, released back into the wild.

The E.O Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory

The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory is a modern scientific research facility. The lab is crucial in helping guide restoration efforts of Gorongosa and as well as other protected areas of Mozambique. Furthermore, the lab offers long-term research and training opportunities in biodiversity documentation, ecology, and conservation biology to Mozambican and visiting researchers and students.

Wildlife Rangers

The Gorongosa Wildlife Rangers patrol over 11,900km2 of habitat to stop the illegal trade in wildlife (mainly ivory, pangolins, skins and bushmeat) and timber. In addition to patrolling the landscape, the ranger team - which comprises more than 260 men and women who are also trained as law-enforcement officers - are also instrumental in educating the local communities.

Plane Icon

Day 1: Arrive Beira

Upon arrival in Beira, you will be met and transferred by charter flight to Chitengo. Later in the afternoon, enjoy your first introductory game drive and sundowners over the floodplain. There are also vast gardens around the lodge frequented by the local warthog population.

Activity Icon

Day 2 - 3: Game Viewing and Conservation in Gorongosa

Enjoy these days viewing game and participating in conservation activities. A unique conservation and restoration success story, Gorongosa National Park has returned from the brink, thanks to its varied terrain, the richness of its soil, and the blessings of plentiful rain.

Car Icon

Day 4: Montebelo - Wild Camp

After this morning’s game viewing, in the afternoon you will head out on a drive and walk to Wild Camp. Dine under the stars to the backdrop of animal and bird calls and share stories around the campfires in the evenings.

Camp Icon

Days 6 - 7: Muzimu

Day 6 is a full day game drive, with a picnic lunch so you can explore Gorongosa National Park further afield. On Day 7, you will explore on foot along the Mussicadzi River with your expert guide, Rob Janisch.

Plane Icon

Day 8: Muzimu - Beira

This morning you will have the option of one last game drive before your charter flight back to Beira where you’ll continue with your onward travel home.*Please note this is not a fixed itinerary, things may well change on the ground to give you the best experience on any given day.

Rob Janisch B And W

African born and bred, Rob began his love affair of ‘all things wild’ as a young boy - a childhood, much of which was spent in the African wilderness, climbing trees, watching birds and jumping off waterfalls. Over 20 years on, Rob is still at his happiest beating about the bush, introducing guests to the wild wonders of Africa, and developing a deep understanding of the genius of the natural world. Today, Rob takes clients on exclusive, specialist guided safaris across the continent – experiential adventures in Africa’s wild wonderlands. He has two mantras that he follows in life: The beaten path is for the beaten man and Einstein’s profound: Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.

NWS arranged for travel writer Michelle Jana Chan to go to Gorongosa Mozambique in 2019, you can read about her journey here.

Dates & Prices mozambique

Dates and Prices for mozambique
DateGuestsTrip LengthTrip StylePrices from
31 Aug - 7 Sep 202467 DaysRob Janisch12500

Talk to an Africa Destination Specialist Today