Gorongosa National Park

Mozambique

When it was first established in 1920, Gorongosa was a small 1 000 km² hunting reserve. In 1960 the government increased its area and declared it a National Park. After Mount Gorongosa was incorporated in 2010 the park now covers more than 4 000 km². The park suffered a few adversities like the 1940's floods and the Civil War from 1981 to 1994 which diminished mammal numbers hugely. However, almost all naturally occurring species, including more than 400 kinds of birds and a wide variety of reptiles, have survived. Since 1994 international organisations took hands with local government to rebuild the park's infrastructure and restore its wildlife. This included the reconstruction of the main camp, Chitengo. The park is co-managed by the government and the US non-profit Carr Foundation. Gorongosa is home to an astounding diversity of animals and plants, some of which are found nowhere else in the world. Seasonal flooding and waterlogging of the valley, which is composed of a variety of soil types, creates various distinct ecosystems. Grasslands are dotted with patches of acacia trees, savannah, dry forest on sands and seasonally rain-filled pans and termite hill thickets. The plateaus contain miombo and montane forests and a spectacular rain forest at the base of a series of limestone gorges.

The Park’s original headquarters in the south - Chitengo Camp - is also a public rest camp, comprising 18 comfortable air-conditioned cabanas as well as a shady public campsite and Chikalango. (Nov-15).

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“The Mozambique government has announced the official inclusion of Mount Gorongosa into Gorongosa National Park. The decision comes as the park, located in the province of Sofala in central Mozambique, celebrates its 50th anniversary.” - Janine Reyneke, 2011/05/03

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