Parque Nacional da Gorongosa Moçambique

Reaching the summit of the mystical Mount Gorongosa is like stepping through a portal into a hidden world. The hike takes one from sparse woodlands to lush cool tropical rainforest in the space of a few hours.

Multiple gorgeous waterfalls greet the adventurer. On arrival to the outer rim one sees an unexpected series of ridges interspersed with natural meadows. With several peaks around 1,800 meters above sea level, the Gorongosa Mountain system is startlingly beautiful, made more so by its seclusion.
 
Hundreds of bird species and tree species have been recorded on Gorongosa and there are a variety of plants found nowhere else on earth.
 
But the Mountain is being destroyed quickly, people are cutting down the trees, and this unique ecosystem will soon be lost forever.  

Local farmers cut the trees (slash and burn style agriculture) to create small, unsustainable farms. The soil is not suited to farming so in a few years they abandon the land and cut more trees higher up. The soil of the denuded land washes in the rainy season, destroying not only the mountainous areas but also polluting waterways below with the eroded silt.
 
We are working closely with the traditional communities that live on the Mountain to create alternative means of livelihood so that they do not have to continue this kind of farming. We are creating forestry jobs, ecotourism businesses and higher yielding farms in the valley below the Mountain.
 
Our "Save the Mountain" campaign is advancing on four fronts in collaboration with local communities:

Forest Protection and Tree Planting 
We are protecting areas that remain forested.  We either replant deforested areas or leave them to regrow naturally in areas where that is possible. In several communities we have started tree nurseries and planting programs on the mountain. Farmers who might be cutting trees to create more farmland are instead hired for forestry jobs. More>

Ecotourism
We are creating an ecotourism business on the mountain that will provide local people with employment and tourism revenue that will in turn decrease their need to engage in agricultural activities that negatively affect the mountain. More>

Conservation Agriculture 
We assist local farmers to increase their crop yields and to cause less environmental damage to the mountain through their activities. More>

Conservation Education
We are talking to community leaders about sustainable development in their villages and we are conducting conservation education programs for local children. More>

YOU CAN HELP!
We need your help in this important campaign to protect one of Mozambique’s most treasured natural wonders--before it’s too late. More>