Re-Establishing a Wildlife Eden in Africa: Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique

Once there was a place where healthy populations of Africa’s iconic species thrived. Lion prides roamed the savannah, a plethora of herbivore species providing ample food sources; elephant herds made their mark as they meandered across the plains; and pangolins did their jobs shaping the ecosystem. This was Gorongosa National Park, once considered to be one of the most biodiverse areas on the continent.

Now, the national park is reclaiming this title and has, once again, become an Eden in Africa and a safe haven for a multitude of species.

Where is Gorongosa National Park?

At the end of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and in the heart of Mozambique, Gorongosa National Park stretches across a million acres and has an incredible variety of landscapes to experience.

Gorongosa National Park biomes are vast. From Lake Urema and its network of rivers teeming with hippos and crocodiles; vast floodplains, a favourite among waterbirds and waterbucks; and savannahs with zebra herds to the rainforest on Mount Gorongosa, a Gorongosa National Park safari can take you across diverse habitats.

What is So Special About Gorongosa National Park?

Gorongosa is one of Africa’s greatest restoration stories. This wildlife haven was devastated during the Mozambican Civil War between 1977 and 1992. Poaching, hunting, and habitat degradation completely transformed the park into a shadow of its former self.

Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, Gorongosa is going back in time; back to being a place where animals are able to thrive and their ecosystems are protected.

Gorongosa Restoration Project

A public-private partnership between the Government of Mozambique and the U.S.-based Carr Foundation started the groundbreaking work of rewilding and rehabilitating the national park as well as developing ecotourism ventures through the Gorongosa Restoration Project.

The integration of biodiversity conservation with human development to ensure that the communities around the park are benefiting from its success is a cornerstone of the project.

Gorongosa has seen a dramatic resurgence of its wildlife populations. Safari-goers have the opportunity to see healthy populations of waterbuck, impala, sable, warthogs, hippos, crocodiles, and increasingly, lions, elephants, and the elusive African wild dogs. Birdlife is particularly prolific, with over 400 species, including endemics like the green-headed oriole.

“When we started out two decades ago, there were fewer than 10,000 large animals in the park. Now there are more than 100,000, so we have grown their numbers by a factor of 10,” says the project’s scientific director, Marc Stalmans.

Thanks to these efforts, a Gorongosa National Park safari is once again possible. The conservation strides have also led to the restoration project receiving the prestigious BBVA Foundation Worldwide Award for Biodiversity Conservation in 2025.

Eco-Conscious Gorongosa National Park Safaris

Mozambique safaris in Gorongosa support vital conservation projects aimed at preserving the park’s pristine ecosystems and protecting its remarkable wildlife.

One such project is Mozambique’s first pangolin rescue programme. Since 2018, this programme has rescued over 100 of these scaly anteaters from illegal traffickers before rehabilitating them and releasing them back into the wild.

Keystone species such as wild dogs, lions, and leopards are at the forefront of Gorongosa’s efforts to rewild the region. Led by veterinarians and with the help of external partners, predator projects monitor the species and create much-needed wildlife corridors.

From Safari to Sea

A Mozambique holiday is the perfect opportunity to combine a safari adventure with beach relaxation. After exploring Gorongosa, hop on a plane and discover one of the country’s sublime coastal locations.

Bazaruto Archipelago, off Mozambique’s southern coastline, is famed for crystal-clear water, spectacular coral reefs, and mesmerising marine biodiversity. After a safari on land, head here for one across and beneath the waves to see dolphins, humpback whales, manta rays, sea turtles, and the rare and enigmatic dugong.

Gorongosa is a shining star in the world of conservation and wildlife rehabilitation. Thanks to unwavering dedication, the national park is – once again – one of the best places for an African safari.