When adventure awaits, it’s best to be prepared. We’re experts in travelling to Gorongosa for a Mozambique safari, so here’s a list of some of the things we recommend you bring on your trip:

When adventure awaits, it’s best to be prepared. We’re experts in travelling to Gorongosa for a Mozambique safari, so here’s a list of some of the things we recommend you bring on your trip:

Clothing

When selecting your safari wardrobe, keep in mind the following: light clothing, neutral colors and protection from sun and mosquitoes. Neutral colors are nice to wear in order to blend into the bush. 

• Light clothing (shorts, t-shirts) for warm afternoons
• Warm clothing (long sleeved shirts, sweatshirts, pants) for cool evenings
• Hiking boots and long socks
• Raincoat
• Sandals
• Swimsuit
• Sunglasses 
• Hat

Equipment

• Binoculars
• Camera / Video Camera
• Flashlight
• Backpack
• Water bottle
• Guide books & animal checklists

Travel & Medical Supplies

• Passport & Visa
• Additional piece of identification, such as driver’s license
• Photocopy of passport & visa kept in a separate place
• Vaccination records
• Travel Insurance
• TSA approved luggage locks
• Plug adapters
• Batteries
• Anti-malarial medication
• Other medications (e.g. prescriptions)
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent*

Recommendations for insect repellent: 

• The most effective insect repellent is DEET and repellent with 10% is sufficient.
• Repellents with the active ingredient IR3535 is effective for mosquitoes but won’t protect against biting flies.
• Permethrin impregnated clothing and bed nets are also very effective.

*Note: If you plan to pay with US cash in Gorongosa, all bills must be dated 2008 or later. Due to restrictions by the Mozambican banking system, Gorongosa will not accept US currency older than 2008.

Be sure to check your airline’s luggage allowances before you pack. And keep in mind that there may be different allowances for international and domestic flights. We recommend that you lock your luggage with a TSA approved lock. 

Passport & Visa

Since 1 May 2023, the nationals of the table below do not need a visa to enter Mozambique for 30 days, The Visa exemption costs a 650 MT fee (around $12 US), and at arrival you just need to present a normal passport valid for 6 months on arrival, as well as a return or onward ticket and our hotel reservation confirmation.

Customs

When you arrive, you must declare all items that are subject to duties. Personal items and medication for personal use are exempt from duties. You are allowed to import goods to Mozambique duty free up to a value of $200 with the following restrictions on perfume, tobacco, and alcohol.

• Tobacco: 400 cigarettes or 100 small cigars or 50 large cigars or 250g of tobacco
• Alcohol: 1 liter of spirits and 2.25 liters of wine
• Perfume: 50ml

As you pass through the airport customs line with your luggage, customs will usually check every bag, but don’t worry. You have every right as a tourist to temporarily import most goods into the country. Gorongosa National Park has a very good relationship with the officials at the airport, so mention that you are coming to Gorongosa and they will usually let you through without a hassle.

Travel through South Africa with Children

There are new regulations for travel to and from South Africa with children, effective October 1, 2014. Parents travelling internationally with children must now provide an unabridged birth certificate (including the details of the child’s father as well as the mother) of all travelling children. This applies even when both parents are travelling with their children and it also applies to foreigners and South Africans alike.

When children are travelling with guardians, these adults are required to produce affidavits from parents proving permission for the children to travel.   It is important for parents to note that unabridged birth certificate applications can take anything from six to eight weeks to complete.

Mozambique is a tropical country with two major seasons – the wet season from November to March, and the dry season from April to October. The dry season is an ideal climate for your Mozambique safari.

The Park is closed from mid-December until the end of March. After reopening, some of the game drive roads may remain closed until they are safe to drive on.

Each month in Gorongosa brings a unique experience as the changing seasons bring new life to the Park:

March – April

The floods recede at the very end of the wet season to reveal lush green grass, and overflowing pools. In March, the heat and humidity of the rainy season still lingers with average temperatures around 31°C (88°F) and occasional showers. April is a turning point with rainfall dropping off and nights growing cooler.

May – June

Many say that these months are the most beautiful in Gorongosa as the Park stays an emerald green color, there is little chance of rain, days are warm and nights are pleasant. The average daytime temperature in May and June is 28°C (82°F) with cooler nights.

July – August

The effects of the dry season begin to show as pans start to recede and vegetation turns from lush green to a golden hue. The animals cluster around water holes and game viewing is at its best. Days are mild and breezy with an average daytime temperature of 26°C (79°F) and little chance of rain. The chill of winter is creeping into the crisp, clear nights, as the stars seem brightest this time of year.

September – October

The winter dry season is on the verge of turning to summer and signs are everywhere. The golden landscape is sprinkled with flowering plants beginning to bloom. Pans have dwindled to their driest points as waterbirds compete for catfish but hope is on the horizon. The end of September brings the first much-needed showers and daytime temperatures begin to creep up to 30°C (86°F). By October, showers are bringing life back to the arid plains.

November – December

Summer is here and you will start to feel the heat! With the heat comes the beginning of the rains but, not to worry, the heavy rainy season is not upon us yet. The early rains of November and December pass quickly. The sun breaks through the clouds and the animals are left with some much needed water and greenery. Daytime temperatures average 32°C (90°F). It’s perfect weather for a dip in our swimming pool!

Before You Go 

Electricity: Electricity in Mozambique is 220 volts at a frequency of 50 hertz. You will need a Type C or Type F electrical adapter.

We want all of our visitors to have a fun and safe time on their Mozambique safari in Gorongosa. To ensure that everyone has a good time and that our wildlife and landscapes are protected, please follow these simple “Do’s and Don’ts”. Some of these rules are in place to show respect and courtesy toward other guests, while others are very strict rules that we enforce to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Currently we do not allow self-driving in the park.  We are working on identifying areas within the park that are suitable for self -driving. Until then we encourage our guests to take part in guided safaris in open vehicles that depart from Chitengo Camp / Montebelo Gorongosa Lodge and Safari. 

Do

✔ Adhere to Gate Times – All Park gates open at 6am and close at 6pm. Take care to plan your travel to Gorongosa to ensure that you arrive at the main Park gate before 6pm.

✔ Ask about Age Restrictions – For safety reasons, some activities have age restrictions. Please ask about age restrictions before booking activities for your children to prevent disappointment. Children under 10 are not allowed on  Guided Safari Drives. All other activites are restricted to people over the age of 12. 

✔ Bring ID with You – All adults should bring some form of identification on their trip in case they are asked to identify themselves to Park officials.

✔ Declare Firearms at the Gate – Any firearm, dangerous weapon, explosive, trap, or poison must be declared at the gate. The Park reserves the right to search any vehicle suspected of hunting activities.

Don’t

✗ Litter – Littering is strictly prohibited and you will be fined if you discard any litter in the Park except in designated trash receptacles.

✗ Disturb Other Guests – Don’t behave in an offensive or disorderly manner toward other guests. Also, we ask that you don’t play a radio, other music systems, or musical instruments in a manner that will disturb other guests. The Park has a strict rule of quiet in camp after 2100h.

✗ Cause a Fire Hazard – You are only allowed to start fires in designated fire pits. You will be fined for setting a fire outside of designated areas as you may cause a wildfire.

✗ Throw cigarettes on the ground – Please make sure to throw cigarette butts in trash receptacles. Throwing cigarette butts out your vehicle window in the Park may result in a wildfire. 

✗ Drink Alcohol in Public Areas – The consumption of alcohol is only allowed in the Park’s restaurant, campsite, and inside your room.

✗ Allow Overnight Visitors – Guests are only allowed to stay in the rooms that they booked. If you would like to add an additional guest to your reservation, please tell our staff at reception.

✗ Bring Bikes, Roller Skates, or Skateboards – Roller skates, skateboards, bicycles and motorbikes are not allowed unless prior arrangement has been made.

✗ Feed or Disturb Wildlife – Intentionally feeding or disturbing wildlife is a serious offence. Feeding wildlife may cause them to become used to approaching people, make them dependent, and even aggressive toward people. By feeding wildlife, you are doing them more harm than good.

✗ Bring Your Pet –No pets may be brought into the Park because they may carry diseases or parasites that can be harmful to the Park’s wildlife. If you bring your pet inside the Park, you may be fined and your pet may be destroyed. We can make an exception for guide dogs for visually impaired guests who have gotten permission from Park management if the owner can provide documentation of the necessary vaccinations and permits.

✗ Take Plants or Animals – You’re not allowed to remove any plant, animal, natural, or cultural item from the Park without permission. You’re not allowed to cut, damage, destroy, or be in possession of any plant, including firewood. Legal firewood is sold in Park’s main camp. 

✗ Bring Plants or Animals to the Park – You’re not allowed to bring any alien or invasive species inside the Park.

✗ Obstruct Park Officials – Park officials are doing their job by keeping you safe. Hindering, intimidating, or obstructing Park officials from doing their job may result in a fine. Refusal to comply with any request or instruction by Park officials for violating Park rules will result in prosecution.

✗ Kill or Injure Animals – Killing or injuring animals is strictly prohibited and will result in imprisonment and prosecution.

Park Hours and Seasons