Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Here are some travel tips and information to help make your trip safe and your stay in the park enjoyable. Find answers to our guests' frequently asked questions.

Location
Gorongosa National Park protects 3,770 square kilometers of savanna, woodlands, and rainforest in central Mozambique, Southern Africa.

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For a map of the Park’s topography, hydrology, and vegetation, visit our Field Guide.

Climate & Seasons
Central Mozambique has a tropical savanna climate, with an annual rainfall of 1000 – 1400 millimeters. The Park is closed during the rainy season. When the Park reopens, some of the game drive roads may remain closed until they are drivable. While the Park is typically closed from December 15th - January 30th, it is best to call or email to ask about the opening dates each year. Summer temperatures average 30º-40º C, with high humidity (November - March). Winter months average 15º–25º C (April - September).

What to Bring

We recommend bringing a variety of clothing options:

• Light clothing (shorts, t-shirts)
• Warm clothing (long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, pants)
• Hiking boots and socks
• Raincoat
• Sandals
• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses 
• Hat

For equipment, we recommend:

• Binoculars
• Camera
• Flashlight
• Backpack
• Water bottle
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellant

Health Services
The Park's small health clinic provides basic first-aid, including anti-venom for some kinds of bites and primary anti-malarial treatments.

Gorongosa National Park is a recognized malaria area, so we recommend proceeding with a course of prophylactic medicine two weeks before departure (or as prescribed by your pharmacist or physician). To further protect you, Chitengo has several machines that trap and kill mosquitoes which significantly reduce their numbers around camp. All chalets are fitted with mosquito netting.

For more serious medical problems, we provide transportation to the health clinic in Vila Gorongosa, a 1.5 hour drive away (about 60 kilometers). The Park’s Health clinic has a resident doctor and nurse and a good supply of basic medicine.

We sell bottled mineral water at a reasonable price, so you’ll only need to bring purification tablets if you're on a tight budget. 

Languages
Mozambique’s national language is Portuguese. Many people in its main cities (Maputo, Beira, Chimoio) also speak English. In and around Gorongosa National Park, local  residents speak either Sena or Chi-Gorongosi (a local dialect), although many also know some Portuguese. Our staff in Chitengo speak English and Portuguese widely, and some speak other European languages.

Getting Here
Gorongosa National Park is mostly wilderness surrounded by rural areas with only a few small, scattered villages. Whether you’re traveling by air, car or bus, you’ll want to make careful travel arrangements well in advance.

If you come by car, please be aware that Gorongosa National Park does not sell fuel. Buy fuel only from stations that look respectable and have a functioning electric pump. The closest reliable stations are in Beira, Dondo, Nhamatanda, Chimoio and Caia. Fuel at other locations may be dirty or mixed with water or other chemicals.

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