{"id":215,"date":"2025-02-26T13:52:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-26T13:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/?p=215"},"modified":"2025-07-03T05:54:34","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T05:54:34","slug":"safari-mozambique-gorongosa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/safari-mozambique-gorongosanationaalpark\/","title":{"rendered":"De meest Unieke Safari in Afrika: Mozambique"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Our visit to the majestic Gorongosa National Park – A Roadtrip north” admin_label=”Heading” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/local-chapa-minibus-Mozambique.jpg” alt=”Minibus called chapa in Mozambique for local passenger transport” title_text=”local chapa minibus Mozambique” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

We decided to go on a trip north to Mozambique and check out Gorongosa National Park, <\/strong><\/a>Beira, and further north, Ilha de Mo\u00e7ambique. The north of Mozambique is beautiful and exotic. At least that’s how I remember it from when we first visited there in 2005<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This part of Mozambique has beautiful and interesting sights. But the roads in this part of the country are very bad and our car is now an elderly man, so we decided to travel by local transport. Getting up at the crack of dawn we left in the very early hours from Vilanculos for Beira. The road after crossing the Save river is absolutely dreadful. I don’t think I have ever seen such big potholes in my life. But with a front seat in the\u00a0<\/span>chapa<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>(local minibus) it wasn’t too bad, the driver drove carefully and once we reached Inchope, a beautiful new highway built by the Chinese, loomed before us. This road connects Beira to land-locked Zimbabwe as Beira has an important port. From here it’s only another 2 hours drive to Beira.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Beira, Mozambique’s second city” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Praia-pescadores-Beira-Mozambique.jpg” alt=”Fishermen beach Beira, Mozambique Mozambique” title_text=”Praia pescadores Beira Mozambique” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Beira<\/strong><\/a> is Mozambique’s second largest city after Maputo, with a lot of Portuguese influences. In terms of tourism perhaps not the most interesting city, but it has a relaxed atmosphere, friendly people, lots of nice restaurants and fine middle-class hotels. I really liked Beira. It has an international airport with direct flights from Johannesburg and is a good base for a night or two, before visiting Gorongosa National Park which is about a 5 hour drive from there. Our local chapela<\/em> (tuk tuk) driver turned out to speak excellent English, we found a great guide! Fransisco was also really nice guy and we had intense discussions about Mozambican politics.<\/p>\n

He took us around the city in his chapela, <\/em>exploring the city, visiting hotels and enjoying the good seafood here. He showed us the fishing port with the old fishing vessels, the old town, the train station with a daily connection to Zimbabwe and the impressive cathedral of Beira. We saw the former Grand Hotel<\/strong>, an institution during the colonial time but now a dilapidated slum. <\/span>Hotel Estoril<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>is a nice mid-range hotel which offers a comfortable stay at a reasonable price.\u00a0<\/span>Hotel Tivoli<\/strong>, a sister hotel of the one in Maputo is another good choice here, located in downtown Beira with a colonial feel, old wooden floors and a good restaurant. We stayed in a private house from a lovely couple who run a\u00a0<\/span>sustainable forest for Mozambican hardwood<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>in the Gorongosa area called Levas Flo<\/em>r. Nothing is coincidental and I was getting excited about Gorongosa!<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chapela-driver-beach-Beira.jpg” alt=”Local chapela (Tuk Tuk) driver Beira Mozambique” title_text=”Chapela driver beach Beira” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/fresh-seafood-Beira.jpg” alt=”fresh seafood in Beira Mozambique” title_text=”fresh seafood Beira” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Off to Gorongosa National Park” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Gorongosa-entrance-National-Highway-Mozambique.jpg” alt=”Road to Gorongosa National Park along highway N1 in Mozambique” title_text=”Gorongosa entrance National Highway Mozambique” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Off in an early\u00a0<\/span>chapa<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>again as we continued our journey to Gorongosa National Park. Though they promised us to go to the park’s\u00a0 turnoff, the driver dropped us off back in Inchope from where we had to find another\u00a0<\/span>chapa<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>to the entrance of the park. From here, it’s another 30 km on a dirt road to the park entrance.\u00a0<\/span>After hours crammed into overcrowded minibuses<\/strong><\/a>, the pickup by comfortable private safari jeep was a real treat and the road to the park entrance magnificent \u2013 a taste of what was to come. I had no idea what to expect and had brought our own tent – lodging in Gorongosa does come at a price. But we were received with all honors, were offered a safari tent with nice beds in the main camp and invited to do as many safaris as we could fit in.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Driving-into-Gorongosa-NP.jpg” alt=”Safari jeep driving into Gorongosa National Park” title_text=”Driving into Gorongosa NP” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”Conservation and local community projects and unforgettable experiences” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]

We met\u00a0<\/span>Vasco<\/strong><\/a>, the passionate PR Director of the park, who had wanted to go to Gorongosa even as a little boy when he watched a promotional film<\/strong><\/a> about it.\u00a0He actually showed us the film \u2013 complete with VW vans used as safari jeeps back in the sixties! With great love and passion, Vasco told us all about the\u00a0<\/span>history of Gorongosa<\/strong><\/a>, its\u00a0<\/span>decline during the civil war<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>in Mozambique,\u00a0<\/span>the restoration<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>afterwards and the numerous community-, research, scientific and innovative\u00a0<\/span>projects<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>happening there.<\/p>\n

It’s an understatement to say it was inspiring to see what has been\u00a0<\/span>achieved here in twenty years<\/strong><\/a>. I was completely overwhelmed. After the ecosystem had been restored,\u00a0<\/span>wildlife returned<\/strong><\/a>, and now the area is bursting with animals. There are professional and cheerful guides, beautiful\u00a0<\/span>accommodations<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and camps, breathtaking colors, and there is peace, silence and just pure beauty.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Early morning safaris” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Early-morning-safari-Gorongosa-National-Park.jpg” alt=”Early morning safari in Gorongosa National Park Mozambique July 2024″ title_text=”Early morning safari Gorongosa National Park” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Up at the crack of dawn we made some\u00a0<\/span>fantastic safaris<\/strong><\/a>, saw a huge herd of\u00a0<\/span>wild dogs<\/strong>, lots of lions and elephants, thousands and thousands of waterbucks, extraordinary beautiful landscapes, laughed with the guides, had a Gin & Tonic at a magical sunset surrounded by hippos, crocodiles and breathtaking colors. We visited the two exceptionally beautiful and exclusive safari camps in the heart of Gorongosa, Muzimu Lodge and Wild Camp, the latter\u00a0now called\u00a0<\/span>Chicari Camp<\/strong><\/a>. Chicari was definitely my favourite, with only 6 private tents sitting around a waterhole and with an open view to Gorongosa’s specactular nature and wilfdlife. This is wild Africa at its best. Without Wifi in the camp, modern life is far away and just sitting there watching all that wildlife and nature around you, the colors and sounds and the endless skies, was an almost indescribable magic experience.<\/div>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Save the pangolins” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″ url_new_window=”on” url=”https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/species\/pangolin”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Pangolin-project-Gorongosa.jpg” alt=”Man showing pangolin Gorongosa National Park Mozambique” title_text=”Pangolin project Gorongosa” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

We visited some of the\u00a0<\/span>amazing projects<\/strong>\u00a0in the park like the\u00a0<\/span>Saving Pangolins project<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and I saw a\u00a0<\/span>Pangolin<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for the first time in my life. What a sweet and beautiful animal, but sadly the most trafficked mammal on Earth. We sat by the campfire at night gazing at thousands of stars in the main base camp, Chitengo Camp.\u00a0<\/span>Montebelo Gorongosa Lodge<\/strong><\/a> in the main camp offers nice and clean double rooms at an affordable price and the restaurant has a very varied menu. We slept like a baby with the sounds of the bush. On one of the safaris, just for a brief moment, I felt that I had reached a feeling of <\/span>complete oneness with nature<\/strong>, which made me very emotional.<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Kudu-Gorongosa-National-Park.jpg” alt=”Large African antelope (Kudu) in Gorongosa National Park” title_text=”Kudu Gorongosa National Park” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

For an unforgettable\u00a0<\/span>unique exclusive safari experience<\/a><\/strong>, visit Gorongosa National Park<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s special, it\u2019s exclusive, it\u2019s overwhelming and it is definitely unique. The safaris are fantastic and professionally guided and you will learn a tremendous amount about the conservation efforts and the ecosystem. Besides regular safaris, there are also walking safaris available and\u00a0<\/span>boat excursions on the Urema flood plain<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>(in season), a very special safari experience.\u00a0 We went in July (winter time) so did not do this but I hope to go back. You can also visit the remote Gorongosa mountain and the coffee project<\/strong><\/a>, and stay two nights in a community-run camp with access to lush forests, stunning waterfalls and spectacular nature.\u00a0<\/div>\n
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<\/div>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Local-guide-Gorongosa-National-Park-sunset-safari.jpg” alt=”Guide in Gorongosa National Park Mozambique talking to Gerry on sunset safari” title_text=”Local guide Gorongosa National Park sunset safari” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_heading title=”An absolute highlight in Mozambique” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_level=”h2″ title_text_color=”#FF6B5A” sticky_enabled=”0″ url_new_window=”on” url=”https:\/\/www.worldwildlife.org\/species\/pangolin”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

I was deeply impressed and this is for me absolutely one of the highlights in Mozambique<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Gorongosa Nationaal Park in Mozambique is \u00e9\u00e9n van de beste safari bestemmingen in zuidelijk Afrika. Lees meer in dit blog over ons bezoek aan dit magnifeke gebied en waarom dit zo bijzonder en uniek is.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4808,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[34,30,45,37],"class_list":["post-215","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel","tag-africa","tag-mozambique","tag-safari","tag-travel"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=215"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/215\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=215"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=215"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uniquemozambique.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=215"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}