Parks

In 2001, the Bazaruto Archipelago was proclaimed a national park. The warm waters around the islands are exceptionally rich in coral and marine life making the Archipelago a wonderful diving destination. The national park is made up of 5 islands and a collection of terrestrial and marine habitats. The area is home to – and protects – dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, rays, marlins and barracudas, as well as the last population of dugongs in the world! Whale sharks can also be seen in the area, generally, between April to July and humpback whales migrate through the Archipelago waters between August and October. Diving and snorkelling in this national park is a superb experience and it includes many sought-after destinations favourite among tourists.

Situated in Central Mozambique is one of the world’s best-known conservation areas – Gorongosa National Park. Found on the south edge of the Great Rift Valley, it consists of varied ecosystems, from grassland and savannah to arid forests and seasonal pans leading up to the plateau of woodland types. Gorongosa is home to a large diversity of animals and plants—some of which are found nowhere else in the world and the bird life is prolific, with over 200 species. Gorongosa is home to an astounding diversity of animals and plants—some of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Found on the border of the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the Limpopo National Park forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, which also includes Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park. After suffering from decades of poaching and habitat desecration, the reserve is quickly returning to its former splendour. In the 1990s, the fences between Kruger National Park and Limpopo National Park were dropped, and animals were trans-located, allowing other wildlife to slowly move into the neighbouring land. The park is now home to the ‘Big 5’ along with many other animal species, including the African wild dog.

Located on Maputo Bay, the Maputo Special Reserve borders Swaziland and South Africa, forming part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area. The reserve is a major elephant stronghold and is home to 350 African elephants. Covering 77 400 hectares, the reserve also hosts duiker, kudu, reedbuck, waterbuck and crocodile. There is a wide variety of birds, as well as dolphin, turtle and whales in the surrounding waters. The scenic diversity of marine and inshore habitats offers amazing opportunities for sport fishing, diving, and canoeing. On the eastern boundary, the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve has a rich diversity of marine life which includes loggerhead and leatherback turtles.

Established in 2002 and located in the Cabo Delgado Province, Quirimbas National Park covers an area of 7 500km² which includes a large area of the mainland in addition as well as the 11 southern-most islands of the Quirimbas Archipelago. Most of the islands offer great dive sites, up to 400m, and have an amazing marine life to discover. The park provides protection for coastal forest, mangroves and coral reefs, and there are healthy populations of elephant, lion, leopard, crocodile and even wild dog to be found in the various habitats. The mangroves, beaches, coral reefs and sea grass beds are home to a rich variety of marine life including sea turtles, dugongs and many species of fish