Gorongosa National Park

Gorongosa National Park used to be the one of the places with the highest species diversity in the world. In the 1960s, there were over 500 lions in the park and countless numbers of grazers such as zebras, wildebeests, and buffalos.

The Portuguese worked hard to protect the park throughout the war of independence, but by 1983, in the midst of the civil war, the park was shut down and abandoned due to violence in the area. Opposing forces met on park lands in fierce hand-to-hand fighting and aerial bombings destroyed buildings and roads. Hungry soldiers and locals entered the park and shot thousands of animals (zebras, buffaloes, etc...) and eventually, the lions and other big game died off due the lack of prey.

By the end of the civil war, 90% of the animals in the park were gone. Today, the Carr Foundation (http://www.carrfoundation.org/) in partnership with the Mozambican government is working to restore the park to its former glory.

Camille, Courtney and I with Greg Carr, the savior of Gorongosa/the guy who invented voice mail (genius - if only he would bring it to Mozambique...). It was really inspiring to hear Greg and his head of tourism, Vasco Galante, talk about the park. They both truly believe that restoring the park will not only bring safari tourism back to Mozambique, but will also create jobs in the community. After living in a touristy area for the past two years, I have watched thousands of tourist come and go and never give anything back to the community. I truly believe that this type of development, which creates sustainable jobs for locals - along with the building of schools and health centers - is the kind of development work that really makes a difference. The people of the surrounding villages are being hired, through the government (so important as to ensure sustainability), as guides, wait staff, and anti-poaching units. By demonstrating the potential impact of the park on local peoples´lives, they are ensuring the local people take a vested interest in the well being of the park.

A warthog trying to stay cool on a hot day

A pensive baboon

A water buck

The three of us in the game drive vehicle.

We hiked about 5k to a waterfall in the park. It was incredibly beautiful and incredibly cold!!!

Check out Gorongosa´s website http://www.gorongosa.net/ for more information and look for National Geographic´s film Africa´s Lost Eden!