Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Walking Safaris Now Available in Gorongosa National Park

Jun 25, 2009 - Gorongosa National Park

ONE Africa, an owner-run private safari operator, has introduced exclusive walking safaris in Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique with their ‘Explore Gorongosa’ initiative. Gorongosa National Park spans approximately 3,770 square kilometers and also offers game drives to its visitors on approximately 100 km of game roads from Chitengo Safari Camp. As a new activity to Mozambique, ‘Explore Gorongosa’, although predominantly a mobile walking safari, also provides guests with on-the-ground insights into the restoration project under way within the Park.

The Park offers visitors possible sightings of lions, elephants, buffalo, and many kinds of antelope, with frequent sightings of sable, impala, oribi, bushbuck, reedbuck, kudu, nyala, and waterbuck. Lake Urema and its waterways support healthy populations of crocodiles and hippos. Approximately 400 species of birds have been sighted in recent years; many are endemics or near-endemics prized by birders.

‘Explore Gorongosa’ is the first licensed operator to do private ecotourism in the Park since Mozambique’s independance.  ‘Explore Gorongosa’ runs exclusive luxury multi-day walking safaris based out of the comforts of a luxurious custom-designed tented camp. These intimate, personal mobile safari experiences led by expert guides cater for a maximum of eight guests. They offer both a well-rounded safari experience that explores the whole gamut of Gorongosa's wilderness, as well as various set-departure special interest safari expeditions around a specific theme, such as birding.

Gorongosa National Park’s terrain is well suited for walking safaris.  The huge open floodplains and riverine forests are ideal for exploring on foot.  With no engines and no outside noise, walking safaris will allow visitors a different kind of experience from our game drives. While walking, visitors can uncover stories from the bush by learning about the tracks, the trees, and the vegetation. It is especially suited for birding, as visitors can get very close to birds on foot. Trained guides keep visitors safe from the Park’s wildlife.

‘Explore Gorongosa’ has an agreement with the Park that, when possible, will allow visitors to view wildlife relocations  Since the Gorongosa Restoration Project began, hundreds of wildebeest and buffalo have been reintroduced into the Park’s Wildlife Sanctuary, and recently elephants and hippos have been moved directly into the Park from South Africa.  Visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to visit the Park’s fenced Wildlife Sanctuary where reintroduced animals stay while getting accustomed the Park’s habitat.

In addition to the exclusive safari experience of Explore Gorongosa, Gorongosa National Park is able to provide its public visitors with guided game drives and short bush walks; guests can also take self game drives in their own vehicle, walk to the Vinho community just 2 km outside the Park, eat at the newly refurbished Chikalango restaurant, experience Bue Maria Sundown for a spectacular sunset view, or visit the spectacular waterfalls in the Mountain.

Explore Gorongosa is offering Mozambique residents a fantastic 40% off their rack rate for their opening year - 2009. Visit www.exploregorongosa.com for more information.