A light-footprint, seasonal camp in the heart of Mozambique’s wild Gorongosa National Park
Open lounge, dining, and bar area, plus an outdoor fire-pit with camp chairs
Ten comfortable canvas tents overlooking the nearby pan, each including an en-suite bathroom with a rain shower, and a private veranda
Game drives, walking safaris, pangolin conservation, E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab tours, community visits, Mount Gorongosa and coffee plantation tours, and seasonal boating
Morning and afternoon game drives allow guests to explore vast tracts of Gorongosa National Park’s protected wilderness and to experience first hand one of Africa’s most ambitious and inspiring restoration efforts. Traverse floodplains, amble amongst fever tree and palm forests, and encounter the park’s incredible wildlife population, including plenty of lion, wild dog, and elephant. You’ll barely come across another vehicle, making this game-viewing experience all the more memorable!
Set off into the bush on a guided walking safari, as your expert guide points out animal trails, identifies tracks, and explains all about the region’s rich flora and fauna. You’ll gain a fresh perspective on all the fascinating, smaller details of the bush while keeping fully alert for larger species.
Visit the Pangolin Conservation Centre, where rescued pangolins are rehabilitated, and learn all about these extraordinary, elusive creatures rarely seen in the wild. Guests staying five nights or more can embark on an unforgettable morning foraging walk, tracking pangolin, and hearing from vets and rangers about what it really takes to protect this threatened species.
The E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Lab is a modern scientific facility within Gorongosa National Park, where visitors can learn about conservation, ecology, and research initiatives.
Connect with Mozambique’s vibrant culture and the local communities around Gorongosa National Park. Learn about local initiatives, such as empowering young women through education and early childhood development programmes. A community levy is included in your stay, so your visit directly contributes to these projects.
Experience the rainforest trails, hidden waterfalls, and sweeping views of Mount Gorongosa, where you’ll hike to the crystal-clear pools of Murombodzi Falls for a dip, accompanied by a tasty picnic lunch. Visit the Gorongosa Coffee Project to learn how sustainable farming is helping restore the mountain’s ecosystem, and conclude with a memorable coffee tasting of shade-grown Arabica. Please note that this activity incurs an additional cost.
When water levels are high enough, you can explore the park’s seasonal waterways by boat, drifting past wading hippo pods and beady-eyed crocs. Boat safaris on Lake Urema are also an option when weather conditions permit, offering sweeping views of the floodplains and Mount Gorongosa in the distance.
*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Chicari Camp is located in the heart of Gorongosa National Park, in central Mozambique. Guests usually arrive at Johannesburg International Airport and fly to Beira (BEW), followed by a 35-minute Safari Air charter flight to Chitengo airstrip within the park.
Chicari Camp has a relaxed, informal feel, offering communal spaces open to the elements and nights spent around the campfire, listening to the nocturnal symphony of the bush.
The lounge has plenty of comfy seating, inviting guests to settle in and observe wildlife gathering around the pan. There’s a tented dining area where home-cooked meals incorporate fresh, wholesome ingredients, and high tea treats are served under canvas. As evening falls, guests gather around the fire-pit for sundowners and shared stories beneath a vast night sky. The experience here is about slowing down and connecting with nature – whether through ‘armchair viewing’ from camp or exploring on private game drives with no one else in sight.
Chicari Camp features ten thoughtfully designed canvas tents overlooking a year-round pan that attracts an array of wildlife.
Each tent boasts a private viewing deck with panoramic views, giving guests front-row seats to wading elephants, grazing antelope, and birds gliding over the water. Eight of the units are en-suite safari tents, while two are ‘treehide’ tents sharing an expansive outdoor deck – an ideal configuration for families or friends travelling together. Connected by wooden walkways, the tents are positioned to prioritise privacy, spatial flow, and a connection with the natural surroundings. Spacious yet simple, the interiors are furnished with cosy beds, solar-powered lighting, standing fans, and mosquito netting on all windows for comfort. Additional touches include writing desks, clothes-hanging space, and nightstands with flasks of fresh water. A canvas partition separates the en-suite bathrooms, each featuring a rain shower and a separate flush toilet. Outside, every slightly raised veranda is furnished with director’s chairs and a drinks table – the ideal vantage point to sit back and admire uninterrupted views of the wild.
Chicari Camp is one of just two safari camps in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park – a truly remarkable conservation success story involving extensive restoration and wildlife rehabilitation. Located in an area of extraordinary biodiversity, Chicari is a…
