Gorongosa National Park

🇲🇿 Mozambique

🐕 Painted Hunting Dogs Return to Gorongosa
🌍 #103 Global · 4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #43 in Africa #46 in Savanna & Grassland
Southern Africa, Mozambique 984 spp. recorded

Gorongosa National Park occupies a sprawling tropical savanna landscape in Mozambique, where seasonal floodplains meet dense woodlands and acacia flats. This protected basin supports a complex mosaic of habitats that differs from standard dry-land reserves through its massive permanent water systems and rich alluvial soils.

-18.770° S   34.448° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

40–50% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

30–40% · Possible
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

40–50% · Possible
Waterbuck ★
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

50–60% · Likely
Black-backed Puffback
LC

Black-backed Puffback

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryoscopus cubla

50–60% · Likely
Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

40–50% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

40–50% · Likely
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Oriole
LC

Black-headed Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oriolus larvatus

40–50% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

40–50% · Possible
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

30–40% · Possible

⭐ Iconic Species

Lion ★
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

40–50% · Likely
African Bush Elephant ★
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

30–40% · Possible
Painted Hunting Dog ★
EN

Painted Hunting Dog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Lycaon pictus

40–50% · Possible
Waterbuck ★
LC

Waterbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Kobus ellipsiprymnus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Impala
LC

Impala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Aepyceros melampus

40–50% · Likely
Common Warthog
LC

Common Warthog

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phacochoerus africanus

40–50% · Likely
Chacma Baboon
LC

Chacma Baboon

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Papio ursinus

40–50% · Likely
Greater Kudu
LC

Greater Kudu

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus strepsiceros

30–40% · Possible
Nyala
LC

Nyala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus angasii

30–40% · Possible
Vervet Monkey
LC

Vervet Monkey

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Chlorocebus pygerythrus

30–40% · Possible
Blue Wildebeest
LC

Blue Wildebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Connochaetes taurinus

30–40% · Possible
Common Hippopotamus
VU

Common Hippopotamus

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hippopotamus amphibius

30–40% · Possible
Temminck's Ground Pangolin

Temminck's Ground Pangolin

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Manis temminckii

30–40% · Possible
Bushpig
LC

Bushpig

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Potamochoerus larvatus

20–30% · Possible
Hartebeest
LC

Hartebeest

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Alcelaphus buselaphus

20–30% · Possible
Northern Bushbuck
LC

Northern Bushbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tragelaphus scriptus

20–30% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely
Fork-tailed Drongo
LC

Fork-tailed Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus adsimilis

50–60% · Likely
Black-backed Puffback
LC

Black-backed Puffback

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dryoscopus cubla

50–60% · Likely
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
LC

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Turtur chalcospilos

40–50% · Likely
Cape Turtle Dove
LC

Cape Turtle Dove

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Streptopelia capicola

40–50% · Likely
Black-headed Oriole
LC

Black-headed Oriole

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Oriolus larvatus

40–50% · Likely
Hadada
LC Endemic

Hadada

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Bostrychia hagedash

40–50% · Possible
Blue-breasted Cordonbleu
LC

Blue-breasted Cordonbleu

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Uraeginthus angolensis

30–40% · Possible
Egyptian Goose
LC

Egyptian Goose

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alopochen aegyptiaca

30–40% · Possible
Red-necked Francolin
LC

Red-necked Francolin

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pternistis afer

30–40% · Possible
Red-eyed Dove
LC

Red-eyed Dove

☀️🌙 Day & Night Bird

Streptopelia semitorquata

30–40% · Possible
White-backed Vulture
CR

White-backed Vulture

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gyps africanus

30–40% · Possible

📊 Most Spotted

Nile Crocodile
LC

Nile Crocodile

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Crocodylus niloticus

30–40% · Possible
Nile Monitor
LC

Nile Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus niloticus

30–40% · Possible
Cape Dwarf Gecko
LC

Cape Dwarf Gecko

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Lygodactylus capensis

20–30% · Possible
African Striped Skink
LC

African Striped Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis striata

20–30% · Possible
Tropical House Gecko
LC

Tropical House Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Hemidactylus mabouia

20–30% · Possible
Flap-necked Chameleon
LC

Flap-necked Chameleon

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Chamaeleo dilepis

20–30% · With luck
Zambezi Soft-shelled Turtle
EN

Zambezi Soft-shelled Turtle

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cycloderma frenatum

20–30% · With luck
Eastern Hinged-Back Tortoise

Eastern Hinged-Back Tortoise

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Kinixys zombensis

10–20% · With luck
Variable Skink
LC

Variable Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Trachylepis varia

10–20% · With luck
Eastern Twig Snake
LC

Eastern Twig Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Thelotornis mossambicanus

Insufficient data
Cape Wolf Snake
LC

Cape Wolf Snake

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Lycophidion capense

10–20% · With luck
Snouted Night Adder
LC

Snouted Night Adder

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Causus defilippii

10–20% · With luck

📊 Most Spotted

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely
African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

30–40% · Possible
Painted Reed Frog
LC

Painted Reed Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Hyperolius marmoratus

20–30% · Possible
Red-Banded Rubber Frog
LC

Red-Banded Rubber Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Phrynomantis bifasciatus

Insufficient data
Common Squeaker
LC

Common Squeaker

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Arthroleptis stenodactylus

Insufficient data
Water Lily Reed Frog
LC

Water Lily Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Hyperolius pusillus

Insufficient data
Fornasini's Spiny Reed Frog
LC

Fornasini's Spiny Reed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Afrixalus fornasini

Insufficient data
Senegal Kassina
LC

Senegal Kassina

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Kassina senegalensis

Insufficient data
Ornate frog
LC

Ornate frog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Hildebrandtia ornata

Insufficient data
Snoring Leaf-folding Frog
LC

Snoring Leaf-folding Frog

Amphibian

Afrixalus crotalus

Insufficient data
Dwarf Squeaker
LC

Dwarf Squeaker

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Arthroleptis xenodactyloides

Insufficient data
Chimanimani Stream Frog
VU

Chimanimani Stream Frog

Amphibian

Strongylopus rhodesianus

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Dry Season Wildlife Concentration

JulAugOct

As water sources recede, wildlife heavily congregates around permanent rivers and shrinking pools, offering exceptional game viewing opportunities.

African Bush Elephant
EN

African Bush Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Loxodonta africana

30–40% · Possible
Lion
VU

Lion

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Panthera leo

40–50% · Likely
🐸

Amphibian Breeding Chorus

NovDec

The arrival of early seasonal rains triggers massive, vocal breeding events among specialized floodplain frogs and toads.

African Split-skin Toad
LC

African Split-skin Toad

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Schismaderma carens

30–40% · Possible
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
LC

Grey Foam-nest Treefrog

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Chiromantis xerampelina

40–50% · Likely
🐦

Peak Birdwatching Season

MayOct

A diverse array of resident and migratory bird species takes advantage of changing seasonal food supplies, making avian diversity remarkably visible.

African Fish-Eagle
LC

African Fish-Eagle

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Haliaeetus vocifer

30–40% · Possible
Common Bulbul
LC

Common Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus barbatus

60–70% · Likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
Lion
40–50
20–30
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
60–70
30–40
50–60
30–40
40–50
African Bush Elephant
30–40
20–30
40–50
5–10
10–20
50–60
40–50
60–70
10–20
20–30
30–40
20–30
Painted Hunting Dog
30–40
20–30
10–20
10–20
60–70
30–40
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
10–20
Waterbuck
40–50
30–40
20–30
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
20–30
50–60
Common Bulbul
60–70
40–50
60–70
80–90
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
80–90
70–80
70–80
Fork-tailed Drongo
50–60
30–40
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
60–70
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
60–70
Black-backed Puffback
50–60
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
30–40
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
Impala
40–50
30–40
60–70
60–70
30–40
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
30–40
40–50
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
50–60
Common Warthog
40–50
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
20–30
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
30–40
30–40
Cape Turtle Dove
50–60
50–60
40–50
30–40
60–70
40–50
50–60
30–40
30–40
50–60
30–40
50–60
Grey Foam-nest Treefrog
30–40
20–30
20–30
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
50–60
Chacma Baboon
30–40
50–60
20–30
50–60
20–30
20–30
50–60
30–40
60–70
40–50
20–30
40–50
Black-headed Oriole
30–40
20–30
40–50
30–40
40–50
20–30
30–40
40–50
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Hadada
30–40
20–30
40–50
30–40
50–60
50–60
40–50
10–20
40–50
40–50
30–40
30–40
Greater Kudu
30–40
20–30
10–20
30–40
20–30
50–60
20–30
20–30
50–60
50–60
40–50
20–30
Animal Events
🦌 Dry Season Wildlife Concentration
🐸 Amphibian Breeding Chorus
🐦 Peak Birdwatching Season

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐕 Painted Hunting Dogs Return to Gorongosa

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
627
🐒 Mammals
169
🦎 Reptiles
132
🐸 Amphibians
56
984 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
35 Threatened 3 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.1 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
49%
📊
Coverage (297 species at ≥5% of 984 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
30%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (6 bird, 5 mammal, 1 amphibian)
46% Global avg
76%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
171
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
36
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
12

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Gorongosa National Park?

The most likely sightings are Common Bulbul (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers), Fork-tailed Drongo (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Black-backed Puffback (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Waterbuck (seen by 50–60% of wildlife watchers), Impala (seen by 40–50% of wildlife watchers) — among 984 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Gorongosa National Park for wildlife?

October has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Lion in Gorongosa National Park?

Yes — about 47% of wildlife watchers report a Lion sighting in Gorongosa National Park, based on 32 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see African Bush Elephant in Gorongosa National Park?

Yes — about 39% of wildlife watchers report a African Bush Elephant sighting in Gorongosa National Park, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Painted Hunting Dog in Gorongosa National Park?

Yes — about 40% of wildlife watchers report a Painted Hunting Dog sighting in Gorongosa National Park, based on 23 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Waterbuck in Gorongosa National Park?

Yes — about 50% of wildlife watchers report a Waterbuck sighting in Gorongosa National Park, based on 36 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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