Journey Through
Gorongosa’s Conservation Legacy
A Journey of Conservation and Community
8
DAYS
1
DESTINATIONS
2
BIOMES
A Safari Conservation Adventure
8-day adventure through Gorongosa National Park
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day adventure through Gorongosa National Park and its surrounding communities, where conservation, wildlife, and local culture intertwine in a truly immersive experience.
Enjoy thrilling game drives in search of iconic species and intimate walking safaris that reveal the park’s hidden wonders. Visit the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory and engage with community-led initiatives such as coffee farming, reforestation, and sustainable honey production. Spend a night at a fly camp on Mount Gorongosa, listening to stories from local storytellers.
This journey showcases Mozambique’s stunning natural beauty while highlighting the crucial role of local communities in protecting it, offering deep insights into conservation and meaningful connections with the people and wildlife of Gorongosa.
Trip Highlights
Wildlife Encounters on Game Drives and Walking Safaris
Explore the park's diverse ecosystems through thrilling game drives and intimate walking safaris. Witness the resurgence of iconic species, including lions, elephants, and painted wolves, as part of Gorongosa's successful wildlife restoration efforts .
Visit to the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory
Discover groundbreaking conservation research at the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory. Engage with local scientists and students involved in the park's conservation initiatives, including the unique Gorongosa Master's in Conservation Biology program
Community-Led Conservation Initiatives
Experience firsthand the impact of community-led conservation projects, such as sustainable coffee farming, reforestation efforts, and honey production. These initiatives provide economic alternatives to poaching and contribute to the park's ecological restoration
Cultural Immersion at Mount Gorongosa Fly Camp
Spend a night at a fly camp on the slopes of Mount Gorongosa, where you'll hear captivating stories from local storytellers. This immersive experience offers a deep connection to the local culture and the park's rich biodiversity.
Activities tailored for all experiences
Game Drives & Walking Safaris
Embark on thrilling game drives and intimate walking safaris to observe iconic wildlife such as lions, elephants, and painted wolves. These experiences offer close encounters with the park's diverse ecosystems.
Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab Tour
Visit the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory, a pioneering scientific facility in Africa. Engage with researchers and learn about conservation efforts and biodiversity studies.
Community-Led Conservation Initiatives
Participate in community-led conservation projects, including sustainable coffee farming, reforestation efforts, and honey production. These initiatives provide economic alternatives to poaching and contribute to the park's ecological restoration.
Fly Camp on Mount Gorongosa
Spend a night at a fly camp on the slopes of Mount Gorongosa. Enjoy stories from local storytellers and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of the area.
Pangolin Rescue Centre Visit
Visit the Pangolin Rescue Centre to witness the efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating pangolins, the world's most trafficked mammals. Learn about conservation strategies aimed at protecting these unique creatures.
Boat Safari on Lake Urema
Embark on a boat safari on Lake Urema, the heart of Gorongosa. Encounter crocodiles, hippos, and diverse birdlife in this vast water wilderness.
Your Journey Overview
Welcome to Gorongosa
Gorongosa National Park, located in central Mozambique, is a testament to nature’s resilience and the power of conservation. Established in 1960, the park spans approximately 3,770 square kilometers and is celebrated for its rich biodiversity, including lions, elephants, and over 500 bird species.
The park’s landscape features savannas, woodlands, and the prominent Mount Gorongosa. After facing significant challenges during Mozambique’s civil conflict, Gorongosa has undergone a remarkable restoration, emerging as a beacon of ecological recovery and sustainable tourism.
Today, visitors can experience guided safaris, birdwatching, and cultural interactions with local communities, all while supporting ongoing conservation efforts.
Conservation in Action: A Day with Gorongosa’s Restoration Project and Wildlife
Begin your day immersed in the heart of Gorongosa National Park with a visit to the Gorongosa Restoration Project, a groundbreaking conservation initiative launched in 2004 through a partnership between the Government of Mozambique and the Carr Foundation.
Here, you’ll learn about the park’s remarkable transformation, from the reintroduction of species like leopards to the planting of over three million trees in the Mount Gorongosa area. The project’s focus on restoring ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, and engaging local communities through education, girls’ empowerment programs, and sustainable farming initiatives is an inspiring demonstration of how conservation and community well-being can work hand in hand.
In the afternoon, your adventure continues with a serene game drive through the park, where the wildlife becomes more active as the cooler evening air sets in. You’ll witness elephants grazing, lions resting, and birds settling for the night. As the sun dips below the horizon, your guide will stop for a sundowner, giving you a moment to reflect and soak in the stunning beauty of Gorongosa, where nature and conservation efforts seamlessly come together.
Protecting the Rare: Pangolin Guardians, Science, and Sunset Safaris
On your second day in Gorongosa National Park, you’ll meet the Pangolin Guardians, rangers dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating pangolins affected by poaching and trafficking. This pioneering program has successfully released over 100 pangolins back into the wild and promotes coexistence between local communities and wildlife.
In the afternoon, visit the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Laboratory, where you’ll learn about groundbreaking conservation research aimed at protecting the park’s unique ecosystems.
Your day ends with a peaceful game drive through the park as the wildlife becomes more active in the evening. Elephants graze, lions rest, and birds settle in for the night, while your guide pauses for a sundowner, offering a perfect view of the savannah’s beauty.
Exceptional Stay at Muzimu Lodge
Hidden Treasures of Gorongosa: Rare Wildlife and Waterfall Serenity
On your third day in Gorongosa National Park, set out on an early morning adventure in search of the park’s rare and endemic species. With the help of an expert guide, you’ll track elusive creatures like the vibrant Green-headed Oriole, whose dazzling plumage and unique call make it a true jewel of the forest, and the tiny, well-camouflaged Pygmy Chameleon, a master of disguise hiding in plain sight.
As you explore, your guide will share fascinating details about these species’ roles in the ecosystem and the efforts being made to protect them. After a rewarding morning of discovery, unwind with a picnic lunch at Murombodzi Waterfall—a stunning natural retreat nestled in lush greenery.
The sound of cascading water and the surrounding tranquility make this the perfect spot to relax, reflect, and enjoy a peaceful moment in one of Gorongosa’s most beautiful settings.
Walking Wild: A Deeper Connection with Gorongosa on Foot
On your fourth day in Gorongosa National Park, you’ll slow down and experience the wilderness from a whole new perspective with a guided walking safari. Traversing the park on foot allows for a more intimate connection with nature as you move quietly through diverse habitats, guided by an expert who reveals the intricate details often missed on game drives.
Along the way, you’ll learn to read the landscape—spotting animal tracks, identifying native plants, and listening to the layered sounds of birds and insects. Your guide may draw your attention to subtle clues: the deep imprint of an elephant’s footprint or the distant call of a lion echoing through the bush.
With each step, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the park’s ecosystems and conservation efforts, all while immersed in the raw beauty of Gorongosa’s varied terrain. This slower, more mindful pace offers a powerful and personal encounter with the natural world—one that leaves a lasting impression.
Chicari Camp: A Few Days of Wild Beauty, Cultural Connection, and Tranquil Adventure
Your fifth day in Gorongosa is spent soaking in the magic of Chicari Camp, where adventure and relaxation come together in the heart of the Mozambican wilderness. The day begins with the soft light of dawn and the sounds of exotic birds and distant wildlife.
After waking, you’ll set out on a guided bush walk, where experienced rangers lead you through the savanna, pointing out elephant tracks and glimpses of antelope as they share insights into the local ecology. Back at camp, enjoy a fresh breakfast featuring tropical fruits and regional specialties before choosing your next adventure—perhaps canoeing along a winding river, fishing in clear waters, or heading out on a thrilling safari drive.
The afternoon invites a slower pace; relax in a hammock under ancient baobabs or take part in cultural experiences like traditional craft-making or music sessions with local community members. As evening falls, the campfire crackles to life, setting the stage for a night of storytelling, drumming, and a feast of local flavors.
Under a sky blanketed with stars, you drift to sleep with the wild sounds of Gorongosa all around you—a perfect close to a day rich with connection, discovery, and calm.
Exceptional Stay at Chicari Camp
Our purpose
Journeys With Purpose engage guests with the world’s most ambitious and exciting conservation projects across our seven continents. We believe travel can be a powerful force for learning, for expanding horizons and shifting perspectives on the magic and wonder of our natural world. Our journeys invite you to step outside of your daily ecosystem and engage with new cultures, environments and people in the world’s wildest corners.
At this moment in history, we are placing unprecedented pressure on the planet and wildlife, communities and nature is under threat. True wilderness is increasingly rare, yet there are remarkable examples of nature rebounding, and flourishing. These conservation successes showcase the resilience of our natural world, and our journeys serve to spotlight, and support, these projects.
Whether on a safari, diving trip or mountain expedition, by travelling with JWP you contribute to our mission: to conserve and restore 30 million acres of land and 30 million acres of seas by 2030. We are proud members of 1% for the Planet, through which we donate 1% of our annual revenue to grass-root initiatives.
Journeys With Purpose is also a member of The Long Run, a Conde Nast Traveller specialist travel agency, and a Certified B Corp, awarded “Best for the World: Environment 2022”.
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