verlandingisiting zinave and gorongosa np's as well as morongulu and bilene

[Laevelder]

We just completed a nearly three week camping tour to Zinave and Gorongosa National Parks as well as Morongulu and Nhabanga Paradise in Bilene, before returning back to South Africa.

We were seven couples and traveled with 4x4's, and off road caravans. (One Jurgens Explorer, one Conqueror UEV-25, two Mobi Lodges, one ELXV Ghari and one bush trailer.) Andre and Petro from 4x4 Caravan Safari's, were the tour leaders.

The group met at Pafuri border gate and stayed at Dumela Wilderness Camp. The camp area is beautiful and well appointed. The following morning we departed for Mapai where we crossed the Limpopo river.


We camped for three nights at Zinave National Park. The campsite is under huge trees on the bank of the Save river. The amenties are basic with potable water, toilets and showers. The park is absolutely beautiful with lots of animals and an amazing landscape. You may self-drive in the park. A towbar on one of the vehicles were damaged enroute to Zinave. The friendly park personnel repaired it at their workshop.



We departed for Gorogosa National Park. This was a two-day journey on the extremely bad national road (EN1). One chap complained that some potholes were so deep that he lost his telephone signal when entering the potholes! On route to Gorongosa, we stayed overnight at Buffalo Lodge. The owner (Willie Prinsloo,) was a friendly host who gave us valuable advice.

We eventually arrived at Gorongosa National Park and camped there for three nights. The camp area is well appointed with bathrooms, electricity and potable water. Over the years, my wife and I, visited nearly every park in Southern Africa, but we never experienced something like this. This must be close to paradise! It is absolutely beautiful! There are lots of animals and the personnel is friendly and helpful. Some of the top park managers came to greet us and shared their vision for the park. This place is destined to become one of the best national parks in Africa!



After our visit to Gorongosa, we drove to Morrongulu where we camped next to the sea on a green lawn amongst shaded trees. This is a well managed and beautiful place!



We then proceeded to Nhabanga Paradise in Bilene. We camped under huge trees on a lawn. The ablution was the best we have seen in a long time.


In the past, I always thought about Mozambique as a sea holiday destination. I was wrong. If you want to see and experience untamed wilderness, visit Zinave and Gorongosa national parks.

Please take note: this is a hardcore overlanding trip. I will not endevour doing it alone. It is tough on man and machine, but the rewards are great! So contact your buddies and start planning!

[Ou Bees]

Hi there Laevelder,

it was a pleasure meeting you and the rest of the group at Gorongosa National Park! Hope to see more people from SA visit our amazing park in the future.

All the best and greetings from Gorongosa
Josh

[Rogue1]

Good report..Thanks.

We're leaving for Gorongoza in two weeks time...Mid June for 3 or 4 days, same route Pafuri - Mapai as far as Machaila then turning for Massengena, Espungabera, Chimoio to avoid the En1.

We're in one vehicle, just two of us..I have a few questions for anyone in the know:
1. Is the Save River at Massengena low enough to cross?..I believe there is a rudimentary Bridge?
2. Is the Fuel station at Massengena still in operation?
3. Condition of road from Massengena to Espungabera? Not the road along the Power line..
4. Road condition from Espungabera to Chimoio?

Any current info on the above appreciated.
Thanks.

[RobH]

Hi there Laevelder,

it was a pleasure meeting you and the rest of the group at Gorongosa National Park! Hope to see more people from SA visit our amazing park in the future.

All the best and greetings from Gorongosa
Josh

Josh, are self-drives allowed in Gorongosa yet, and if not is it something that they are ever likely to consider?

[Ou Bees]

Hi RobH

The current park directive is no self drives allowed. The game drives however are very well managed with well trained and knowledgeable guides.

Regards
Josh

[Iddo]

Good report..Thanks.

We're leaving for Gorongoza in two weeks time...Mid June for 3 or 4 days, same route Pafuri - Mapai as far as Machaila then turning for Massengena, Espungabera, Chimoio to avoid the En1.

We're in one vehicle, just two of us..I have a few questions for anyone in the know:
1. Is the Save River at Massengena low enough to cross?..I believe there is a rudimentary Bridge?
2. Is the Fuel station at Massengena still in operation?
3. Condition of road from Massengena to Espungabera? Not the road along the Power line..
4. Road condition from Espungabera to Chimoio?

Any current info on the above appreciated.
Thanks.

Same questions for me.

Part of the road watch https://youtu.be/xWaiM2cJfXc?
(Youtubechannel Lost in Africa)

[River Rat]

We crossed the Save in September last year at Massangena at a rudimentary bridge but we saw a barge that was beached. The river was flowing quite deep next to the bank and it wouldn't be possible to do a wet crossing at that point. The fuel station was operating at Massangena diesel and petrol was available.

The road from there to Machasi was about as bad as the road from Mapai to Machaila, but better than the EN1🤔. Just a note that the community campsite at Machaila was being deconstructed when camped there in 2022 we chose to wild camp in 2023. I can't comment on the road to Espungabera but the road from Chibamo to Chimoio via Dombe was a pleasure compared to the EN1.