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Gorongosa Elephants

Up close and personal

Elephants

Elephants

The first time you see a wild Gorongosa elephant is a moment you will never forget. They are the essence of our untamed African wilderness: huge, majestic, truly awe-inspiring. Gorongosa has between 800 and 1000 of these beautiful animals today. Each family is led by the oldest, wisest female: the Matriarch. She’s usually the one leading her family back to the forest in the morning or leading them to water in the afternoon. 

 

Gorongosa’s elephants play an important role in the park’s ecosystem, and every creature here somehow depends on them. By knocking down trees and eating tall grass, they act like gardeners, keeping the bush open and clear, accessible to other grazers. They spend 16 hours a day eating to satisfy their huge appetite, and you can spot the telltale signs of their presence everywhere: enormous balls of poop that fertilize the soil and spread seeds. Their dung is also a delicious treat for Gorongosa’s dung beetles

Our elephants are truly wild. They haven’t spent as much time near tourists as elephants in other parks. As humans have always been a natural predator, they sometimes react to vehicles by running away or making defensive displays like trumpeting and mock-charging. Mostly, this is just their way of telling you to keep your distance. Our safari guides are well-trained and know they need to give the elephants lots of space.

Your time with Gorongosa’s elephants on your Mozambique safari will help them to build trust and show them they have nothing to fear. Thank you from us and “Trumpets” from the elephants.

activities to view elephants

Guided Safari Drives

Our qualified safari guides will take you on an open safari vehicle game drive through a diversity of habitat, wildlife and outstanding birdlife. 

Walking Safari at Dawn 

Get up close and personal with our local guides. An intimate and authentic experience you will never forget!

Our Mission

Our Mission

Advance an integrated multi-partner approach to conservation and to people-centred development. The Gorongosa Project protects the Park’s biodiversity and ecosystem services and unlocks its economic potential for the community inhabitants of the Gorongosa Buffer Zone, Sofala Province, Mozambique and further afield.

Our Vision

A thriving, biodiversity-rich, Greater Gorongosa conservation landscape, which supports Sofala Province as an engine for resilient and sustainable development enabling nature experiences and wellbeing for its people, enriching all of Mozambique and the world.

A Park for Peace

On 1 August, 2019 a historic ceremony was held in Gorongosa to celebrate the Cessation of Hostilities Accord between the leaders of the Government of Mozambique and the opposition Renamo Party. The accord established Gorongosa National Park (GNP) as a ‘Park for Peace’, delivering human development to the communities that share the greater landscape.

Ethics and Compliance

The Ethics and Compliance e-mail is a reporting mechanism that facilitates reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct from staff, suppliers and stakeholders. The e-mail is Ethics@gorongosa.net