A Safari Like No Other: Exploring the Untouched Wilderness of Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
- Roxy The Zoologist
- Dec 11, 2025
- 2 min read
Gorongosa National Park is a place where hope is written directly into the landscape. After decades of civil war left its ecosystems shattered and wildlife populations decimated, the park has become one of the world’s most inspiring conservation success stories.
On my latest trip, I set out to document one of the park’s most iconic and endangered predators: the African painted dog. With their swirling patterns of black, gold, and white and their oversized, radar-like ears, these dogs are as captivating as they are critical to the ecosystem’s balance. Their presence here is a testament not only to their resilience but to Gorongosa’s ongoing restoration work, which has allowed species like the painted dog to reclaim lost ground. But the painted dogs were only part of what made this trip unforgettable.
A profound highlight was joining the pangolin rehabilitation team. Pangolins, often victims of trafficking, are among the most vulnerable mammals in Africa. Watching the team care for individuals in recovery, guide them through monitored foraging, and prepare them for release offered a moving glimpse into just how much dedication is behind Gorongosa’s conservation model. It demonstrated that protecting a landscape isn’t only about restoring species, it’s about safeguarding every story of survival within it.
My hope is that by sharing this footage and these experiences, I can help spotlight not only the beauty of Gorongosa’s wildlife but also the extraordinary effort behind its renewal. In a world where so many ecosystems are under pressure, Gorongosa stands as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when restoration becomes a priority.
Award-winning freelance filmmaker and photographer creating authentic wildlife and nature content for global brands and digital audiences.
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