Gorongosa National Park

Gorongosa National Park is a protected reserve in Sofala Province, Mozambique, at the southern end of the Great Rift Valley. The area includes floodplains, grasslands, and forested hills that stretch along rivers which overflow during the rainy season.

The reserve was established as a formal national park in 1960, after the area had first been protected in 1921. During the civil war from 1977 to 1992, wildlife suffered heavy losses, and a collaboration between government and private organizations from 2008 onward led to the reintroduction of many species.

The name comes from the nearby Mount Gorongosa, which local communities regard as a sacred site with spiritual importance. Visitors often notice how villages surrounding the reserve participate in educational and health initiatives linked to conservation efforts.

Visitors can explore the area with professional guides on foot or by vehicle, best during the dry months from May to October. The reserve offers accommodations in different categories and camping options in selected zones.

The reintroduction program brought over 200 elephants and numerous lions, wild dogs, and other mammals back to the reserve. Research labs on site collect data on climate, soil, and animal movements and make them available for scientific projects worldwide.

Location: Sofala

Inception: July 23, 1960

Website: https://gorongosa.net

GPS coordinates: -18.76600,34.50000

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:26