There are direct flights to Maputo from Lisbon and many African cities several times per week. From Maputo, you can fly to Beira on Mozambique Airlines (LAM), which is a 3-hour drive from Gorongosa. Or, you can fly to Chimoio on Mozambique Airlines (LAM), which is a 2-hour drive from Gorongosa.
- When you land in Maputo, you will need to complete a Mozambique entry form and go to the Immigration desk where they will ask you to show your visitors visa and passport.
- Next, you’ll collect your luggage and go through customs – read more about customs
- You will then go to the domestic terminal and recheck your luggage for your connecting flight.
- From Maputo, you may either fly to Beira (3hr drive to Gorongosa) or Chimoio (2hr drive). Flights depart daily to each of these cities.
- You may have to stay in Maputo overnight if you miss your connection. See below for a list of hotels we recommend.
- Your next leg is a short flight from Maputo to either Beira or Chimoio. It is a 3-hour (200 km) drive from Beira and a 2-hour drive from Chimoio to Chitengo, the main camp inside Gorongosa National Park. Request a transfer in advance and our park staff will be happy to meet you at the airport and drive you to the park in an air-conditioned shuttle van. Contact us to request a transfer. Keep in mind, the park closes at 6pm, so we can’t pick up travellers after 3pm in Beira or 4pm in Chimoio.
- If your plane arrives too late to book a transfer the same day, you will need to stay in Beira or Chimoio overnight. See below for a list of hotels we recommend.
- You can easily catch a taxi from the airport to your hotel or ask your hotel if they have a shuttle from the airport. Please contact us to arrange a transfer from your hotel to the park the next day.
- If you prefer to drive yourself from Gorongosa, see below for a list of rental car agencies. Remember, if you plan to do a self-drive safari in the park, be sure to rent a 4x4 vehicle. Driving directions from Beira or Chimoio are below.
- Beira is a good place to stock up on supplies if you are self-catering in Gorongosa. There is a ShopRite grocery store on the EN6 in Beira just north of Rua Armando Tivane where you can get all the supplies you may need. There is also a gas station conveniently located next to the ShopRite.
- Continue on the EN6 west out of the city for 135km until you reach the town of Inchope where Mozambique’s major highways, the EN1 and the EN6, intersect. Turn right on the EN1 toward Gorongosa National Park.
- About a kilometer down the road on the left side, there is a BP gas station where you can refuel. Be sure to fill up your tank as there is no fuel for sale inside Gorongosa National Park.
- Continue on the EN1 for 42km. As you continue on the EN1, you will cross a bridge over the Pungue River – the views are fantastic!
- When you see a large sign for Gorongosa National Park – turn right onto the dirt road.
- Continue on the graded dirt road for 11 km until you reach the parkentrance gate. Now your safari begins! As you drive for the next 18km, watch for sable antelope, bushbuck, and baboons until you arrive at Girassol Gorongosa Lodge and Safari.
- Make your way to the reception desk where you will pay your park entrance fees and get information on the park.
- Chimoio is the closest large town to Gorongosa and is a good place to stock up on supplies if you are self-catering in Gorongosa. As you exit Chimoio heading east on the EN6, there is a ShopRite grocery store where you can get all the supplies you may need. There is also a gas station conveniently located next to the ShopRite.
- Continue east on the EN6 for 68km until you reach the town of Inchope where Mozambique’s major highways, the EN1 and the EN6, intersect. Turn left on the EN1 toward Gorongosa National Park.
- About a kilometer down the road on the left side, there is a BP gas station where you can refuel. Be sure to fill up your tank as there is no fuel for sale inside Gorongosa National Park.
- Continue on the EN1 for 42km. As you continue on the EN1, you will cross a bridge over the Pungue River – the views are fantastic!
- When you see a large sign for Gorongosa National Park – turn right onto the dirt road.
- Continue on the graded dirt road for 11 km until you reach the park entrance gate. Now your safari begins! As you drive for the next 18km, watch for sable antelope, bushbuck, and baboons until you arrive at Girassol Gorongosa Lodge and Safari.
- Make your way to the reception desk where you will pay your park entrance fees and get information on the park.
Hotels in Maputo
Southern Sun (from $270/night)
Avenida de Marginal
Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: +258 21 495 050
Email: maputo (at) southernsun.com
Polana Serena Hotel
1380 Avenida Julius Nyerere
Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: (+258) 21 491 001
Hotel Avenida (from $260/night)
Av Julius Nyerere, 627
Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: +258 21 48 44 00
Email: bookings.avenida (at) tdhotels.com
Indy Congress Hotel & Spa (from $240/night)
Rua Macombe Nongué-Nongué, R.1.373 - Sommerschield
Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: +258 21 498 765 / 21 483 156
Email: girassolindyhotel (at) visabeira.co.mz
Hotel Tivoli (from $170/night)
Av. 25 Setembro, 1321
Phone: (+258) 21 307 600
Email: tivolimaputo (at) tdhotels.com
Hotel Turismo (from $100/night)
Avenida 25 de Setembro, 1743
Maputo, Mozambique
Phone: +258 21 352 200
Hotels in Beira
Hotel Tivoli
Av. de Bagamoio, 363, Caixa Postal: 363
Beira, Moçambique
Tel.: (+258) 23-320300
Fax: (+258) 23-320301
Email: tivolibeira (at) tdhotels.com
Hotel VIP Inn (From $164 USD/night)
R. Luís Inácio, 172
Beira, Moçambique
Tel.: (+258) 23-340100 / (+258) 82-3054753
Fax: (+258) 23-322002
Email: vipinn_reserva (at) tdm.co.mz
Sena Hotel
Av. Mártires da Revolução, 189
Beira, Moçambique
Tel.: (+258) 23-311070
Fax: (+258) 23-311072
Email: booking (at) senahotel.net
Hotels in Chimoio
Hotel-Inter Chimoio (from $75 USD/night)
Av. 25 Setembro, 18B
Chimoio, Mozambique
Phone: +258 251 24200/ +258 251 24201
Hotel Residencial Castelo Branco (from $68 USD/night)
Rua Sussundenga
Chimoio, Mozambique
Phone: +258 251 23934
Pink Papaya – Hostel (Dorm: $10 USD/night; Double Room: $24 USD/night)
Rua 3 de Fevereiro
Chimoio, Mozambique
Phone: +258 822 372980 / +258 825 557310
Car Rentals in Beira
Avis Car Rental
Beira International Airport
Phone: +258 23 30 1263
Imperial Rent-a-Car
Beira International Airport
Phone: +258 23 30 2651
Email: info@imperialcarrental.co.mz
Car Rentals in Chimoio
Moz Rent-a-Car
Rua Josina Machel, 674
Chimoio, Mozambique
Phone: +258 824 196040
Email: mozrent@gmail.com
