Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Wet Season Brings Extensive Flooding to Gorongosa

Apr 14, 2008 - Gorongosa National Park

The wet season brought near record flooding to Gorongosa National Park.  The flooding, which reached its peak December 27, 2007 and was the most extensive since 1997, provided valuable information to the Gorongosa Restoration Project for our work to restore and manage wildlife and develop tourism in the Park. 

The visual impact of the flooding was particularly dramatic at familiar landmarks, including the Lion House (Casa dos Leões) and Hippo Bar (Miradouro dos Hipopótamos).  Hippo Bar was flooded nearly up to the raised platform – the water level was more than three meters higher than in the dry season.  An intrepid crew of Gorongosa Restoration Project staff ventured out in January 2008 to view the flooding and could only reach Lion House by boat, as it was flooded under nearly 2 meters of water.

One of the most remarkable events during the recent floods was the sudden appearance of countless thousands of water lilies on the Lake Urema floodplain, covering the area like snow. It was a striking floral display that even the “old timers” of Gorongosa National Park had never witnessed before.

The flooding coincided with the visit of a National Geographic film crew who arrived in January to explore the Park.  They were able to see and film the Park from helicopter during one of its wettest years in recent history – a phenomenal experience for them.

The flooding also revealed some causes for concern.  We observed heavy loads of sediment flowing into Lake Urema from rivers that drain upland areas around the Park.  The increased siltation could have resulted from a change in land use patterns in these uplands, including increased tree cutting and agricultural production. 

The siltation could present a problem if the silt were to fill up Lake Urema, thus drying up the floodplain that has provided a reliable source of dry season water and forage for wildlife and created a density of wildlife that made Gorongosa National Park famous.  The rapid drainage of Gorongosa floodwaters to the Pungue River was also a surprise. As of early April, the area around Lion House was nearly completely drained, and the lake was reduced to its normal dry-season flooding extent.