Banhine National Park, National park in Gaza Province, Mozambique
Banhine National Park is a protected area in Gaza Province covering around 7,250 square kilometers with extensive inland wetlands, floodplains, and lagoons. These waters support many migratory bird species and aquatic wildlife that thrive in the region.
The park was established in 1973 with the goal of protecting giraffe and ostrich populations. The wildlife in the area declined significantly during the civil conflicts of the 1980s.
Local communities farm within designated park areas, growing crops like maize, sorghum, cassava, and sugar cane as part of their daily livelihood. This shared land use shapes how the landscape looks and how people relate to the park today.
Four-wheel-drive vehicles are necessary to travel through the park's terrain, especially during wet conditions. The best time to visit is the dry season from April to October when roads are more passable.
The park's waters house 18 fish species, including the African lungfish, which has adapted to survive periods when surface water disappears. This fish can endure months without open water, showing a remarkable survival strategy in the wetland's harsh conditions.
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