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Gorongosa National Park Facts

Gorongosa National Park Facts
Gorongosa National Park is a 4,000 square kilometer park located in Mozambique in Africa. In 1920, 1000 square kilometers were set aside by the Mozambique Company for its company members and guests as a hunting reserve. In 1935 the reserve was expanded to 3,200 square kilometers to protect the black rhino and nyala (type of antelope). The reserve was eventually transferred to the colonial government and in 1960 the national park was established. An additional 2,100 square kilometers were added. In 1966 the park was reduced to 3,770 square kilometers to allow farmers more land. Armed conflicts in the region greatly reduced wildlife numbers, but rehabilitation efforts to restore populations have been underway since the 1990s.
Interesting Gorongosa National Park Facts:
By 1992 the number of animals in Gorongosa National Park had decreased by 95%. There were only a few wildebeests, 300 elephants, 6 lions, 5 zebras, and 15 buffalo.
In 1994 the European Union and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature assisted the African Development Bank to begin a project to rebuild the infrastructure in the park, and to take measures to restore its wildlife.
Over the next several years 100 kilometers of roads and trails were reopened in Gorongosa National Park. Guards were trained to help stop poachers who were illegally hunting in the park.
Between 2004 and 2007 a 60 square kilometer sanctuary was established in Gorongosa National Park by the Carr Foundation and the Government of Mozambique, which made it possible to reintroduce wildebeests and buffalo into the park's wildlife population.
In 2012 a 3,300 square kilometer buffer zone was established by the Government of Mozambique surrounding the park.
The Government of Mozambique and the Carr Foundation work together to restore and protect Gorongosa National Park. The Carr Foundation is a non-profit organization from the United States.
76% of Gorongosa National Park is considered to be savanna, which means the landscape is made up of grassland.
14% of Gorongosa National Park is woodland.
A portion (estimated at 20%) of the grassland in the park is flooded for the majority of the year.
Gorongosa National Park is now considered to be one of the best wildlife destinations to visit in Africa.
Some of the animals found in Gorongosa National Park include lions, elephants, crocodiles, hippos, and antelopes.
Bird watching is very popular in Gorongosa National Park due the wide diversity of species. The best time to bird watch is November as birds are migrating to breed.
Gorongosa National Park is home to a bird that can be found nowhere else on earth - the green-headed oriole.
On any given day during the year it is possible to see at least 150 different bird species in Gorongosa National Park, which may include the olive thrush, bearded woodpecker, red-chested cuckoo, Egyptian goose, little stint, African fish eagle, weaver, grey crowned crane, lilac-breasted roller, or woodland kingfisher.
Some of the unique creatures found at Gorongosa National Park include Crawshay's zebra, Mount Gorongosa pygmy chameleon, and Swynnerton's worm lizard.
Approximately 6,000 people visit Gorongosa National Park each year.


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