A Luxury Safari Through Wild Mozambique
This 10-day journey takes you through the heart of Mozambique to Gorongosa National Park, where lions, elephants and painted wolves roam. You'll be guided by Mozambique's trailblazing women guides, spot rare birds in the savannah by day and stargaze by the campfire at night. Your journey ends with a luxurious stay beside the turquoise waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago.
Trip highlights
- Track wildlife through Gorongosa’s floodplains, fever tree forests and open savannah
- Take a guided walking safari led by one of Mozambique’s trailblazing female safari guides
- Tour the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab and explore Gorongosa’s restoration work
- Follow pangolin rehabilitation and conservation efforts with park rangers and veterinarians
- Snorkel among turtles and reef fish at Two-Mile Reef in the Bazaruto Marine Reserve
- Cruise between islands by traditional dhow and speedboat in the Bazaruto Archipelago
Our bespoke trips include
We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- Privately guided tours
- Private transfers
- Meticulously selected experiences
- Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Itinerary in detail
Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.
Days 1–4
Welcome to Muzimu Lodge
Muzimu Lodge is set along a curve of the Mussicadzi River in the heart of Gorongosa National Park. With only six raised tented suites, it’s a quiet, intimate base with private timber decks looking out across the landscape.
As part of the Gorongosa Restoration Project, the lodge supports training programmes that help young Mozambicans, including women, become nature and safari guides. During your stay, they will take you on game drives and walking safaris through vast floodplains, palm forests and fever tree forests.
Seasonal canoeing and boating are available when water levels allow. And visits to the E.O. Wilson Lab offer deeper insight into one of Africa’s most ambitious conservation and restoration projects.
Make it mine
Slow the pace
On the water
Behind the scenes
A walking safari from Muzimu Lodge
Explore Gorongosa on foot with expert guides, following animal tracks through floodplains, fever tree forests and open savannah. Walking safaris reveal the smaller details of the ecosystem, such as medicinal plants, insect life and fresh spoor.
Seasonal boating and canoeing
When water levels allow, you can explore Gorongosa’s waterways by boat or canoe. You’ll be drifting past reed beds, through floodplains and along riverbanks frequented by hippos, crocodiles and numerous birds. These seasonal excursions access parts of the park that are inaccessible by vehicle during the rainy months.
A tour of the E.O. Wilson Lab
Visit the E.O. Wilson Lab, a cutting-edge research centre training the next generation of Mozambican scientists. Lab tours offer insight into biodiversity surveys, specimen collections, ecological restoration projects and the scientific work guiding Gorongosa’s long-term recovery.
Days 4–6
Into the bush at Chicari Camp
Chicari Camp is a seasonal tented camp in Gorongosa National Park, set around a natural pan that attracts a variety of wildlife. Spend the morning exploring looking out for lions, elephants, wild dogs and rich birdlife. Then return to crackling campfires after dark.
During the wetter months, seasonal boating excursions take you across the Urema floodplain. Look out for lilies, wading birds and yellow-billed storks. We especially recommend learning about Gorongosa’s wider conservation work, including its pangolin rescue programme and long-running restoration efforts.
Tune into nature
On foot
Pangolin
In the wild
A walking safari from Chicari Camp
Head out on foot with one of Gorongosa’s expert walking guides, following animal tracks through bush and grassland habitats. On these slower-paced explorations, your guide will show you the ecosystem in detail by following animal tracks, listening for bird calls and identifying medicinal plants.
Pangolin tracking and rehabilitation
Join Gorongosa’s rangers and veterinarians to learn about the park’s pioneering pangolin rehabilitation work. You’ll be following rescued animals as they forage through the bush before release. Along the way, guides explain tracking techniques, anti-poaching efforts and the challenges of protecting the world’s most trafficked mammal.
Birdwatching in Gorongosa National Park
Chicari Camp’s position between forests, savannah and wetland habitats makes it an excellent base for birding. Exploring with an expert guide, you’ll scout for bee-eaters, kingfishers, hornbills and other unique species drawn to Gorongosa’s mix of landscapes and waterways.
Days 6–10
Luxe relaxation in the Bazaruto Archipelago
After your Mozambique safari in Gorongosa, continue to the Bazaruto Archipelago for four days of island-hopping, snorkelling and dhow cruises in the Indian Ocean. Based on Benguerra Island, you’ll explore the surrounding marine reserve by boat, visiting Bazaruto Dune, Pansy Island and North Point.
Snorkelling excursions at Two-Mile Reef bring the chance to spot turtles, rays and brightly coloured reef fish. The archipelago’s warm waters and white-sand beaches provide a complete contrast to the savanna and floodplains of Gorongosa.
Where you could stay
Find your island rhythm
Marine life
Welcome on board
Between the islands
Snorkelling at Two-Mile Reef
Explore the protected waters of Two-Mile Reef, one of the Bazaruto Archipelago’s best snorkelling sites. Here warm, clear water reveals coral gardens, brightly coloured reef fish, turtles and smaller rays. Guides lead excursions by boat directly from Benguerra Island into the surrounding marine reserve.
Sunset dhow cruises
Board a traditional wooden dhow for a sunset cruise through the channels and sandbanks of the archipelago. Beneath the boat’s billowing sail, you’ll sip your favourite drink while drifting past fishing villages and scattered islands. And over shallow turquoise lagoons as the light changes across the Indian Ocean.
Island-hopping through the archipelago
Travel by speedboat between some of the archipelago’s most striking landscapes, including the towering sand dunes of Bazaruto Island, shell-covered Pansy Island and North Point. Stop for a chance to snorkel in calm waters or go for a walk along the beach with a picnic lunch on a remote stretch of sand.
When I began my search to go on Safari, I knew I wouldn't be able to plan my trip as usual and would need to use an expert travel-planning company. I came across Jacada, and man, am I glad I did. From the expertise and information for planning to the recommendations for lodges, I felt at ease about the whole…
Why book with Jacada
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your personal interests, tastes and preferences, providing honest advice based on first-hand knowledge.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant Concierges are hand-picked for their ability to bring your destination to life with care and passion.
Positive impact
We seek out unforgettable experiences that benefit both local communities and the environment.
