National park · Mozambique
Gorongosa National ParkParque Nacional Gorongosa
Enter Gorongosa National Park for a day: pay the entry fee (MZN 2,000 per adult, 2026 estimate, check), arrive via Chitengo gate early (gate opens 6 AM), and join a guided game drive in the dry season (April–Nov).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
approximate
Established
1960
Best months
Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Mozambique ↗Many Western passports are visa-exempt for 30 days but still need an approved travel authorisation from the official evisa.gov.mz portal before departure; it cannot be bought on arrival.
- Mozambique ↗Carry your passport or a certified copy at all times; police document checks are common.
- Mozambique ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of Cabo Delgado province in the north; check your own government's advice for the exact areas.
At a glance
- Country
- Mozambique
- Area
- 4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²)
- Park covers about 4,000 km² of varied habitats; figures may vary slightly between sources.
- Established
- 1960
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Gorongosa National Park, once devastated by civil war, is now a leading example of wildlife restoration, offering diverse ecosystems from floodplain savanna to miombo forest and a rainforest at the base of limestone gorges.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1960.
Size and age
4,000 km² (1,544 sq mi)1,544 sq mi (4,000 km²) · national park since 1960
Park covers about 4,000 km² of varied habitats; figures may vary slightly between sources.
Why go
- Wildlife recovery after civil war – lions, elephants, buffalo and 500 bird species.
- Diverse ecosystems from floodplain savanna to miombo forest and a rainforest at the base of limestone gorges.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecAvoid
- JanRainy season, roads often closed.
- FebHeavy rains, limited game drives.
- MarPeak flooding, park roads inaccessible.
- AprStart of dry season, good wildlife viewing.
- MayDry, comfortable temperatures.
- JunDry, cooler mornings.
- JulDry but hotter, still good for drives.
- AugDry, warm, wildlife active.
- SepDry, occasional showers.
- OctDry, pleasant, fewer tourists.
- NovEnd of dry season, good visibility.
- DecRain returns, some roads close.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, hippo, crocodile, zebra, kudu, nyala, impalaAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 500+ bird species including green‑headed oriole and moustached warblerMar–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Beira (airport)
Fly to Beira then charter Safari Air to Chitengo airstrip or drive 40 km (25 mi) on EN1 to Inchope, then 11 km (6.8 mi) east on a graded dirt road to the park gate.Fly to Beira then charter Safari Air to Chitengo airstrip or drive 25 mi (40 km) on EN1 to Inchope, then 6.8 mi (11 km) east on a graded dirt road to the park gate.
1–2 h flight + 1 h road
From Maputo
Drive north on EN1 to Inchope, then 11 km (6.8 mi) east to gate; 4×4 recommended.Drive north on EN1 to Inchope, then 6.8 mi (11 km) east to gate; 4×4 recommended.
10–12 h
Open the page →
From Beira bus (chapa)
Take hourly bus to Inchope, then arrange local transport to gate (≈11 km (6.8 mi)).Take hourly bus to Inchope, then arrange local transport to gate (≈6.8 mi (11 km)).
≈3 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Chitengo gate | Main entrance, visitor centre, ticket office, and base for game drives. | Open daily 6 AM–6 PM. |
| Game‑drive network | ≈100 km (62 mi) of gravel roads covering floodplain, miombo and savanna.≈62 mi (100 km) of gravel roads covering floodplain, miombo and savanna. | Guided drives available. |
| Mount Gorongosa | 2 km (1.2 mi) trail to summit with panoramic views of the valley and Lake Urema.1.2 mi (2 km) trail to summit with panoramic views of the valley and Lake Urema. | Self‑guided hike; recommended early morning. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are centre of the park; gate and summit positions are exact from official maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | MZN 2,000 | person | 2026 estimate, check official site |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for all game‑drive routes and any off‑road travel beyond the gate area.check
- Camping
- Only in designated camps (Chicari Camp, Gorongosa Camp); no open‑site camping.check
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves only.check
- Drones
- Not allowed without special permission.check
- Pets
- Not permitted inside the park.check
Where to stay
In the park
Montebelo Gorongosa Lodge
Villa, bungalow and suite rooms integrated into the park.
In the park
Muzimu Lodge
Six luxury tents on the Mussicadzi River.
Near the park
Chicari Camp
Seasonal tented camp with en‑suite facilities.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
Road conditions high
Wildlife encounters medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Gate area and visitor centre reachable by car with short walks.
- Mount Gorongosa trail has steep sections; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support the Carr Foundation by staying at park‑run lodges.
- Choose guides and operators that follow the park’s permitted routes.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gorongosa National Park?
Adult entry is MZN 2,000 per person (2026 estimate, check official website for current price).
What are the best hikes in Gorongosa National Park?
The Mount Gorongosa summit trail (2 km, moderate) and the guided game‑drive routes across the floodplain are the most popular.
When is the best time to visit Gorongosa National Park?
The dry season from April to November offers open roads, good wildlife viewing and comfortable temperatures.
Do I need a guide for a game drive?
Yes, all game‑drive routes require a licensed guide.
Can I camp anywhere in the park?
No. Camping is only allowed in designated camps such as Chicari Camp or Gorongosa Camp.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Gorongosa National Park
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