The feeling of being here
Some places stay
with you.
The light through the trees. The stillness before the day begins. The sense of being somewhere you can simply stop and look.
For those who know Southern Africa, a scene like this can bring memories rushing back. For those discovering it for the first time, it may be the beginning of a connection that lasts a lifetime.
In Gorongosa, there is room to slow down. To watch the mist lift from the grassland. To notice the colours change. To feel part of the world around you.
A shaft of sunlight.
A movement in the trees.
And nowhere else you need to be.
A living story of restoration
So much has
found its way back.
Looking at Gorongosa today, it is hard to imagine how much work has gone into bringing this beautiful place back to life.
I have enormous respect for the people involved, and for the years of careful planning and cooperation between the government, foundations, private supporters and local communities.
Giving wildlife space and protection is part of it, but the work also needs a reliable income and opportunities for the people who live here. Tourism has an important part to play in keeping it going.
It is wonderful to see what is being achieved, and I would love to see more places given this kind of care and commitment.
Civil war devastated Gorongosa and its wildlife. Its recovery has taken years of protection, research and commitment, bringing life back to a remarkable landscape.
Work with Greg Carr began in 2004, followed by a formal co-management agreement between the Mozambican government and the Carr Foundation in 2008.
Healthcare, education, support for girls and sustainable farming are integral to that recovery. The future of the park and the wellbeing of neighbouring communities are closely connected.
Time to observe
Let the moment unfold.
An elephant reaching into the canopy. Birdsong from somewhere just out of sight. The pleasure of watching long enough to see something you might otherwise have missed.
Julie can shape your safari around the wildlife, birding, photography and conservation experiences that draw you here.
Discover Julie’s connection with GorongosaStay a little longer
Let the bush
set the pace.
A shaded deck. An unhurried afternoon. Time to settle into the rhythm of the place.
The moments between outings belong to the safari too. A comfortable chair, a view worth lingering over, and the anticipation of another morning in the bush.
Find your place here
Close to nature.
At ease in the bush.
Muzimu Lodge
On the banks of the Mussicadzi River, Muzimu offers tented accommodation with private decks: a comfortable base for days spent exploring.
Chicari Camp
Seasonal Chicari Camp overlooks a permanent pan, combining tented comfort with views towards the water and the wildlife it attracts.
Talk to Julie about the setting, season and pace that would suit you best.
Begin planning with JuliePlains of Africa
Our commitment
to conservation.
For every safari booked through Plains of Africa, we make a donation to the Mountain Bongo Project.
With fewer than 100 mountain bongos remaining in the wild, the project works to protect this critically endangered antelope and its forest habitat in Kenya.
For Julie, guiding, art and conservation are deeply connected. An established wildlife artist, she brings a lifetime of watching and understanding animals in their natural habitats to her paintings.
She has donated her painting Hidden in the Forest Shadows in support of the Mountain Bongo Project, turning that lived experience into a contribution to the wildlife she cares about.
An invitation from Plains of Africa
Some places call you back.
Others call you for the first time.
If Gorongosa has stirred something in you, talk to Julie. Share what draws you here, who you would like to travel with and when you hope to go.
Talk to Julie about Gorongosa