Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Tourist Season Opens at Gorongosa National Park

May 1, 2009 - Gorongosa National Park

Gorongosa National Park (GNP) in Sofala Province opened its tourist season last April 30th. The Park had been closed for nearly four months after flooding inundated sections of the gravel tracks used for safari access. The Park hopes to receive between 4,500 and 5,000 tourists this season, as compared to 3,842 visitors from different countries that visited the conservation area last year. The record number of tourists, recorded during the 1970s, was 22,000.

The Park has now once again opened its doors to national and international tourists,  who have the opportunity to go on game drives and spend long hours on fascinating safari adventures observing the beautiful landscapes of the more than 54 different ecosystems at GNP. While on a game drive, visitors may spot indigenous animal life such as elephants, lions, hippos, crocodiles, kudos, impalas, and sable antelopes, among other animals and exotic bird species of rare beauty.

Game drives through wildlife areas are generally suspended between December and April of the following year. This period coincides with the rainy season when the camps are flooded and water levels approach two meters in some areas.

Before the official opening of each year’s tourist season at GNP, it is customary to hold a traditional ceremony, referred to in the local language as ntsembe, to honor the spirit of Chitengo. According to local oral histories, Chitengo deserted the army at Ngungunhane, and he is believed to have been the first person to settle in the Gorongosa region many years ago. Based on traditional accounts, Chitengo was one of the valiant ex-captains of the prazeiro settler Manuel António de Sousa, and he later took part in the Bárwè revolt alongside Macombe. He was an invincible magician, and during combat he could transform himself into a termite mound, a partridge, or other natural forms. It was this power, hypothetically, that he used to transform himself into a white lion after his death.


According to the Director of Human Development at GNP, ntsembe is used to call on the hospitable spirit of Chitengo and ask for his blessing in order to have a prosperous tourist season. Most importantly, the ceremony asks for protection for GNP workers and visitors in relation to the wild animals and other supernatural events that exist in local mythology.

Moreover, Mateus Mutemba explained that the annual ceremony at this time of year is also intended to provide an opportunity for camaraderie and strengthen ties between all of the many partners connected to life at GNP. Specifically, the ceremony recognizes traditional leaders and their important cooperation in many areas, principally in the conservation of the GNP ecosystem.

The Director of Conservation at GNP, Carlos Lopes, gave thanks and publically acknowledged the dedication of Park employees in the fulfillment of their job duties. Furthermore, he thanked traditional leaders and the community in general as he appealed for even more cooperation in the difficult battle in the fight against illegal poaching and uncontrolled fires within the conservation area.

“In general, the traditional leaders, régulos, act as a voice of order, and they are widely accepted and respected within their respective areas of jurisdiction. Because of this, we ask for their continued support for environmental education and collaboration with GNP staff, so that people protect animals and trees within the Park,” he continued.

Finally, he highlighted the cooperative partnerships at GNP, namely the Carr Foundation, IPAD, USAID, and local district governments around the Park Development Zone, who have done everything in their power to restore infrastructure and rehabilitate wildlife in the Park.

In his brief remarks, the Mozambican co-administrator for the GNP Supervision Committee, Bernardo Beca Jofrisse, said that holding the ntsembe ceremony is a way to reinforce ties between the Park and neighboring communities. It also highlights the importance of culture and recognizes the role of local leaders in mobilizing community participation in the conservation of natural resources at GNP.

“This event is also an opportunity to ask our forbearers to bless GNP workers and visitors and to provide their assistance to make this tourist season very successful,” he added.

He continued by offering thanks to the neighboring communities and their leadership for the many contributions they have already made. He also invited them to make still further efforts to reduce uncontrolled fires, illegal poaching, and the destruction of the forests, and to work together with the Park to protect the rivers and the resources of Mount Gorongosa that are so important for the larger Gorongosa ecosystem.

The ceremony was led by João Chitengo, descendent of the Chitengo family, at the sacred tree named Mutondo. The tree is within the present day Chitengo camp, which was built in 1941 and which is the center of camping and lodging for safaris at GNP. Present at the ceremony were some of the local leaders, régulos, from the Park Sustainable Development Zone, namely Nguinha, Nhanguo, Tambarara, and Chicare.


During the ceremony, João Chitengo detailed the local traditions that everyone should rigorously follow to avoid the risk that scofflaws and their communities will be devoured by lions.

Also in attendance at the ceremony to officially open the tourist season were members of the district government of Gorongosa and other invited guests, including Park workers and administrators.

The festivities lasted the entire day and included much food and drink, along with traditional music and dance, as the local régulos went on the season’s inaugural game drive.


Carlitos Sunza
Department of Communications/GNP