Combine the lost world of Gorongosa National Park with the sparkling sand of Guludo Island's beaches in a memorable trip to Mozambique's lesser known places.
Vast plains dotted with acacia, dense thickets curling around towering trees, lily-covered wetlands, and an exciting rainforest all waiting to be explored. You can be among the first to discover these fragile ecosystems of Gorongosa National Park, in the centre of Mozambique. Gorongosa is recovering well after Mozambique's troubles, an ambitious restoration project, set up with the help of Mozambique's government, was started to re-establish the game in the park. Although it is still fairly early days, the project goes from strength to strength with increased numbers of elephant, hippo, lion, leopard and buffalo all being reported.
Explore Gorongosa operates private safaris within Gorongosa National Park, the first of its kind. Discover what the park has to offer on foot, in vehicles, or on the water. After adventuring in Gorongosa, travel north to Guludo Beach Lodge, in the topmost part of Quirimbas National Park. Built with the local community in mind, Guludo is a simple lodge set on a shining beach. The lodge directly benefits the local community through various projects, which they will be happy to show you.
Day 1
Your Mozambique expedition begins at London Heathrow where you will depart on the South African Airways overnight flight to
Johannesburg.
Day 2
On arrival in Johannesburg, you'll connect seamlessly onto the SA Airlink flight to Beira, Mozambique's second largest city and a vital port to the neighbouring landlocked countries of Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. On arrival in Beira, you'll be met and, leaving the bustling port and coast behind, you'll be taken on a 3 ½ hr road journey through rolling hills to
Gorongosa National Park.
After clearing formalities at the Park's headquarters, head for Explore Gorongosa, a seasonal camp set on the Muscicadzi River and your safari base camp for the next five nights. Here you will stay in en-suite tents with wide doors which open onto a shaded veranda complete with a cushioned day bed, hammock and reclining camp chairs.
On your first evening, perhaps take a sunset drive to the floodplains or simply settle into your camp and enjoy a drink as the sun goes down.
Days 3 - 6
Start the day with early morning tea or coffee and a light breakfast before heading off on a walk along the Muscicadzi River to stretch the legs and get acquainted with Gorongosa. The birding is excellent and you are likely to encounter some huge crocs on this stretch of the river.
Return to camp for a brunch before setting off in the afternoon on a combined walk and game drive. Gorongosa National Park has an impressive species list and is home to significant populations of reedbuck, oribi, waterbuck, impala, Lichtenstein's hartebeest, warthog and sable antelope. In the rivers and lake, good populations of hippo and crocodile occur, whilst on the floodplains and in the surrounding forests zebra, kudu, vervet monkeys and baboons are to be found. Large herbivores such as buffalo and wildebeest are being reintroduced via the Gorongosa Wildlife Sanctuary.
While the emphasis at Gorongosa is on walking you will also explore this uniquely diverse ecosystem on game-drives in an open Land Cruiser. There is also optional canoeing and mekoro safaris when water levels are sufficiently high.
After a delicious and hearty dinner, you can settle down around the camp-fire (your very own bush TV!) and listen to the night sounds before heading off to bed.
Day 7
Today you bid farewell to the Explore Gorongosa team as you set off for Beira to board the mid-morning flight to Pemba in Northern Mozambique. During the three hour flight you can get a sense of the sheer scale of the Mozambique coastline - longer than the west coast of the USA - Mozambique shares its southern border with South Africa and its northern border with Tanzania.
On arrival into Pemba you will be met and transferred 3½ hours through the
Quirimbas National Park to Guludo Beach Lodge.
Guludo is the brainchild of Amy and Neal Carter-James. This English couple were determined to make a difference, and thus they built the lodge in an area which they felt they could benefit. Their aim was to assist the community development through sustainable tourism. Their success can be borne out by the number of awards they have won!
You are based at Guludo for seven nights staying in an adobe 'banda'.
Days 8 - 13
At Guludo, you relax and enjoy 12 km of deserted beach. The diving is excellent and the lodge has a well equipped and PADI certified dive centre. In addition to the diving, you can also fish and snorkel the water is crystal clear. From July to October, the lodge is in a perfect position to watch migrating humpbacked whales.
You will have a chance to head out with one of the resident marine biologists as they collect data you can watch the whales as they pass through, playing with each other, breaching and lobtailing (slapping their tails against the water). It's an amazing sight! On dry land, you can enjoy walks into the village which is what makes Guludo such a special place.
The village walks are a delight, and expect a rapturous welcome, particularly from the children! Other activities you can sample are beach archery and bush-walks (you may spot elephants, monkeys and several species of antelope). Or you can try the beauty on the beach and experience some local body treatments!
Day 14
This morning you will sadly leave Guludo for the road journey back to Pemba Airport in time for the South African Airways flight to Johannesburg and onward overnight flight to London.
Day 15
Arrive London Heathrow early morning.
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