Where is the park located?

The park lies in central Mozambique at the southern end of the Great African Rift Valley, bounded by valley plains and plateaus.

What is the history of Casa dos Leões?

The site was originally built as a camp near the river, became abandoned after severe wet season flooding, and was subsequently occupied by wild lions.

Where are primary accommodations and amenities located?

Chitengo camp serves as the established base, providing guest accommodations, dining options, and park service facilities.

Which mountain supplies water to the park plains?

Mount Gorongosa provides the water sources and river networks, including the Vundudzi River, that nourish the surrounding ecosystem.

Mozambique

Gorongosa National Park: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Field researchers base daily routines around Chitengo camp, where seasonal flooding and strict perimeter rules dictate when fieldwork begins each morning.

About the place

Now in the cityGorongosa National Park+30°CClearupdated 05:04 PM

Exchange rateMZN 63.80per 1 $MZN — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

About the place

Rift valley plains and highland watersheds shape daily scientific work inside Gorongosa National Park.

The reserve occupies the southern reaches of the Great African Rift Valley, spreading across floor plains and elevated plateaus. Watersheds descending from Mount Gorongosa channel water through the Vundudzi river directly into the central plains, maintaining critical wildlife habitats. Long-term field teams operate amidst dense concentrations of grazing herds, river systems, and seasonal floodplains across the protected zone.

Read on

The territory originated as an administrative hunting reserve established by the Mozambique Company, later gaining expanded boundaries to shield vulnerable wildlife including nyala and black rhinos. An early headquarters on the river floodplain suffered heavy seasonal inundation and was abandoned, leading pride lions to occupy the stone structures. The site became renowned among visitors and staff as Casa dos Leões.

Chitengo developed into the primary residential base, eventually adding workshops, medical clinics, dining spaces, and supply stores for resident staff and visitors. Systematic ecological surveys catalogued massive populations of buffalo, elephants, zebras, and predators across the plains. These comprehensive wildlife studies demonstrated the critical dependence of local biodiversity on the nearby mountain watershed.

Associations

Chitengo CampPrimary operations hub with residential facilities, workshops, and clinic.
Casa dos LeõesFlooded early camp ruins that became a shelter for local lion prides.
Mount Gorongosa WatershedHighland source feeding essential river networks across the valley floor.
Floodplain InundationSeasonal rains submerge lowlands and restrict overland vehicle movement.

Facts

The park sits at the southern terminus of the Great African Rift Valley.
Rivers supplying the valley plains originate on the slopes of Mount Gorongosa.
The reserve was initially established by the Mozambique Company as a private hunting territory.
Abandoned flood-damaged buildings near the river were later taken over by lions.

Updated September 21, 2026Source: Wikipedia