The elephants
In the plains grass.
PDUSGov — Public domain · Judy Gallagher — CC BY 2.0 · Judy Gallagher — CC BY 2.0 · Judy Gallagher — CC BY 2.0 · Judy Gallagher — CC BY 2.0
Gorongosa National Park lies at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley in central Mozambique and covers more than 4,000 square kilometres. Its scenery ranges from plains and acacia to dry forest and seasonal pans, watered by rivers from Mount Gorongosa at 1,863 metres. It is a rare story of a wild place coming back to life. It began in 1920 as a hunting reserve of 1,000 square kilometres and grew in 1935 to protect nyala and black rhino. A headquarters built near the Mussicadzi River in 1940 was abandoned two years later because of floods, and lions moved in, which drew visitors. Large mammal numbers fell by as much as 95% during the civil war of 1977 to 1992, and a restoration programme with the Carr Foundation followed. You tour in an open vehicle with a guide across the plains, meeting elephants in the grass, antelope, warthogs and crocodiles near Lake Urema, and many birds from over 500 species. The park has smaller wonders too, as it is rich in insects, from striped butterflies to red wasps and glossy millipedes, and researchers study them here. It is about 120 km from Beira in a straight line, the nearest large city with an airport. Day and night drives are run with the park, so book ahead. Parts or all of it may close in the rainy season, so May to November is best. Protect yourself from mosquitoes, ask your doctor about malaria, and follow your guide near animals.
In the plains grass.
Crocodiles and birds.
Butterflies and bright wasps.
Sofala Province, central Mozambique
It is possible but not certain, as numbers are slowly recovering, and elephants and antelope are easier.
All or part may close in the rainy season, so check with the park before booking.