2024 GORONGOSA HIGHLIGHTS

Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
CONTENTS
About us 4
2024 Highlights at a Glance 6
Message from the Park Warden 8
Message from the Gorongosa Restoration Project
President 9
Where we Work 10
Conservation 12
Science 16
Education 20
Health 23
Community Relations 26
Agricultural Development 29
Social Infrastructure and Urban Development 32
Tourism 36
Gorongosa in the Media 39
Financials 40
Organisational Structure 42
Looking Forward to 2025 45
© Olivier Grunewald
Our Partners 46
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© Courtesy Safari Air
© Olivier Grunewald
MUZIMU LODGE
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
A RECORD
110,513
large animals counted inside
Gorongosa National Park
(highest ever recorded).
BBVA
We received the BBVA
Foundation
‘Worldwide Award for
Biodiversity Conservation’.
Opened a new tourism
camp on Mount
Gorongosa.”
9
12
70
Expanded our cashew
and cassava production.
© Piotr Naskrecki
new ‘resilient
infrastructure’
schools.
Master’s in Conservation
Biology graduated;
12 new students arrived.
new Community
Rangers trained.
We built a new honey
processing factory.
2024
HIGHLIGHTS AT A GLANCE
Seven hyenas, 32 zebras and 2
leopards were translocated to the Park.
Hercília Chipanga Martins
(Director of Community
Relations) received the
Kfw-Bernhard Grzimek
Award.
The Gorongosa Restoration Project (GRP) transcends
traditional conservation approaches, creating a new
model for nature restoration and sustainable development.
Our media team
completed a new film
special with National
Geographic.
1,000
7,945
Over 1,000 farmers produced
over 40 tons of green bean
coffee.
species identified
so far in our
biodiversity inventory.
Over 500 children
attended our preschools.
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
MESSAGE FROM
THE PARK
WARDEN
Ready to serve the environment!
On behalf of everyone on the Gorongosa Restoration Project,
welcome to our 2024 annual highlights. As you will see in these
pages, we made great progress in all our departments and
programs. We are particularly proud of our work in human
development and sustainable agriculture, programs that
advance our goals as “A Park for the People”.
In October, our science team counted over 110,000 large
animals in the Park—a new all-time record for the
Park. The restoration of Gorongosa has been
an incredible success that demonstrates the
resilience of nature.
In recognition of the success of the Park’s
restoration, we won the 19th BBVA Foundation
Worldwide Award for Biodiversity Conservation.
I want to extend my sincere appreciation to our
local, regional, and national Government partners,
especially ANAC, whose collaborative spirit and
shared vision are instrumental in advancing
sustainable conservation efforts in Gorongosa
and all across Mozambique.
MESSAGE FROM
THE GORONGOSA
PROJECT PRESIDENT
As we bring 2024 to a close, I want to thank each of you—our
dedicated team, development partners, and the communities
around the Park—for your commitment and hard work.
Despite challenges, our achievements speak for themselves:
international recognition, thriving wildlife, new schools and
health clinics, and expanded employment in agriculture and
tourism.
In September, I presented our model and mission at an
international conference on protected area governance
held in Brussels. Although we focus on Gorongosa, we’re
proud to share our approach with the global conservation
and development community.
2025 brings new challenges, but we are ready. With resilience,
agility, and unwavering focus, we will continue protecting
nature and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Now, more
than ever, our work matters.
Let’s make 2025 a year of impact, growth, and
shared success—because together,
we are stronger!
We are together
Aurora Malene
Pedro Muagura
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
Zambezi River
WHERE WE WORK
Gorongosa Project
Integrated Conservation and Development.
Generating prosperity and protecting biodiversity across two million
hectares of Africa’s Great Rift Valley.
Gorongosa
National
Park
Inhaminga
Inhamitanga
Forest
State
Protected Area
Vila
Gorongosa
Gorongosa
National Park
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
ZONE (SDZ)
Forestry
Concession
(Gorongosa)
Community
Conservation
Area
PROTECTED
AREAS
Pungue River
Nhamatanda
Chitengo
Muanza
L E G E N D
PROTECTED AREAS
State Protected Area
Community Conservation Area
(proclaimed and planned)
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ZONE (SDZ)
Forestry
Concession
(Private)
Regenerative
Agriculture
Scale
-12.5 0 25 50 km
Model City
Forestry Concession (Gorongosa)
Forestry Concession (Private)
Regenerative Agriculture
HEALTH HEALTH
EDUCATION HEALTH
AGRICULTURE HEALTH
FORESTRY HEALTH
SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE HEALTH
COMMUNITY
RELATIONS HEALTH
TOURISM HEALTH
CONSERVATION &
SCIENCE HEALTH
© Larissa Sousa
© Joao Fernandes
© Gorongosa Media
© Gorongosa Media
© Thais Glowacki
© Gorongosa Media
© Olivier Grunewald
© Piotr Naskrecki
We support the
Ministry of Health with
mobile and fixed clinics.
10
We support more than
130 schools in the SDZ.
Our regenerative
agriculture improves soil
health and biodiversity,
and aims for sustainable
and resilient ecosystems.
The Inhamitanga Forest
Project restores forest
ecosystems, protects
biodiversity, and
strengthens local
communities through
conservation.
Our resilient schools are
cornerstones of human
development, community
safety, and climate
resilience.
Engages with local
communities,
collaborates in
decision-making, and
promotes co-existence
and conservation.
Creates jobs, provides
training, enhances local
skills, supports businesses
and funds projects.
Restores wildlife,
enhances ecosystems,
engages communities
and conducts
advanced research.
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
CONSERVATION
The Government of Mozambique entrusts the
critical job of protecting Gorongosa National
Park to the Department of Conservation. These
dedicated men and women are at the
vanguard of our effort to preserve Gorongosa
for future generations.
The Department employs over 300 people, 99% of whom are
Mozambican. Their wide-ranging approach includes wildlife
management, animal reintroductions, conservation technology,
law enforcement, and managing human wildlife coexistence.
ANIMAL REINTRODUCTIONS
Although Gorongosa is bursting with wildlife and has been called “the
greatest wildlife restoration in history” by National Geographic, the
ecological restoration process continues.
In 2024, we boosted the Park’s population of three important species:
• Thirty-two Crawshay zebras (a unique subspecies identifiable by
their narrow stripes) were transported from Coutada 11. We fitted
six individuals with GPS collars to enable tracking and monitoring.
• We released two new leopards from Karingani Game Reserve.
Leopards are an important predator in the food chain, specialising
in hunting impala and baboons. (Gorongosa has plenty of both!)
• Seven hyenas were introduced. These powerful carnivores are
essential to a healthy ecosystem, playing a key role as both hunters
and scavengers. (This brings the total number of reintroduced
hyenas to 19.)
We extend our thanks to ANAC, Mozambique Wildlife Alliance, USAID,
Karingani Game Reserve, TotalEnergies Mozambique, and Wildlife
Management Services International for their support.
© Piotr Naskrecki
One of two leopards from Karingani Game Reserve
in southern Mozambique released into Gorongosa
National Park.
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CONSERVATION CONTINUED
Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
RANGER TRAINING
We significantly invested in ranger training this year, conducting
a range of programs to enhance their skills and professionalism.
Over 300 rangers and law enforcement officers participated
in courses covering critical areas such as human rights law,
conservation law, operational tactics, first aid, and wildlife
crime investigation.
Ninety-two rangers and six agents from the Rapid
Intervention Unit (UIR) and the Natural Resources and
Environmental Protection Police completed training in
wildlife crime investigation in October and November.
Twenty-five rangers received specialized training in forestry
conservation, including legislation and identification of
protected tree species, strengthening their ability to
protect vital forest ecosystems.
COMMUNITY RANGERS
Protecting Gorongosa National Park extends far beyond the
traditional role of wildlife rangers. Embodying our core
philosophy of being “a Park for the people”, we are
reimagining conservation through deep community
engagement. Our progressive vision aims to gradually shift
from ranger-led protection to collaborative conservation,
empowering local communities as stewards of their natural
heritage.
BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS
In 2024, Gorongosa National Park significantly strengthened
its institutional partnerships, recognizing that effective
conservation requires robust collaboration across
government and legal sectors. Our strategic approach
focused on transparent communication, information sharing,
and collaborative planning to support both environmental
protection and local community development.
We engaged extensively with government officials from
multiple districts, as well as the Provincial State Secretariat.
Our outreach encompassed a wide range of critical
institutions: the Police of the Republic of Mozambique,
Criminal Investigation Police, District Economic Services,
the Attorney General’s Office, and local Courts.
Pangolin rescue: saving
an endangered species.
ONE HEALTH
In September, our dedicated wildlife veterinarian Mércia Ângela (pictured
above) represented Gorongosa and Mozambique at the 8th World One
Health Congress in Cape Town. Mércia spoke about the connection between
the health of people and wildlife. Her participation in One Health marks the
beginning of a partnership to build up the Park’s capacity to meet future
health challenges.
© Jen Guyton
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© Beto Tenente
SCIENCE
Our science team generates the data and knowledge
that is required to understand and manage Gorongosa
A NEW WILDLIFE RECORD
This year, our biennial (every second year) wildlife census revealed a
remarkable milestone for Gorongosa National Park: a total of 110,513
individuals of 20 large animal species—the highest number ever
recorded in the Park’s history. This number exceeds the wildlife population
levels documented in the 1970s, marking an exciting new chapter in
the Park’s restoration story.
National Park and the surrounding area.
EXCITING DISCOVERIES
Our scientific team continues to explore and discover the Park’s rich
biodiversity. To date, they have identified almost 8,000 species in the
Park—including 200 that were previously unknown to science. Gorongosa
is now one of the best documented African national parks in terms of
biodiversity.
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SCIENCE CONTINUED
Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
Paleo -Primate
Project
GORONGOSA
SCIENCE SPOTLIGHT
GORONGOSA
PALEO-PRIMATOLOGY
PROJECT
Jacinto Mathe
Thanks to the work of the Paleo-Primatology Project (PPP),
Gorongosa National Park has become one the most
important fossil research sites in Africa. By combining
archaeological, paleontological, and primatological
approaches, the PPP deepens our understanding of
ancient life and human evolution here in Africa’s Great
Rift Valley.
In 2024, the PPP attracted prestigious new international
funders including the Leakey Foundation and National
Geographic Society. This recognition extends to the
project’s emerging scholars, with numerous PPP students
securing full scholarships and stipends to study at worldrenowned
international universities—a testament to the
project’s academic rigor and potential.
From its inception in 2016, the project has demonstrated
an unwavering commitment to scientific education and
capacity building. Annually, the PPP hosts a comprehensive
field school that brings together over 40 national and
international students and researchers, creating a vibrant,
collaborative learning environment that bridges
academic disciplines and geographical boundaries.
GRADUATION DAY
In February, our third cohort of
12 Mozambican students
successfully completed their
Master’s in Conservation Biology.
This achievement brings the
total number of graduates to 36,
representing a growing cadre of
local conservation professionals
committed to protecting
Mozambique’s unique
ecosystems.
And in March we welcomed a
group of Master’s students,
an all-Mozambican cohort of
six women and six men. These
brilliant, passionate young
scientists are scheduled to
graduate in early 2026.
RISING SCIENCE STARS
We take immense pride in the academic achievements of our Mozambican
scientists. Their groundbreaking research reshapes our understanding of ecology,
botany and many other natural and social sciences. There are dozens of
success stories to celebrate but, this year, we’d like to spotlight the following
young scientists:
• Dr. Dominique Gonçalves, Elephant Ecology Project Manager, received
her Ph.D. (University of Kent) with the Mike Walkey Award. She has now
started with her post-doctoral studies at Princeton whilst remaining deeply
involved in elephant research and monitoring in the Park.
• Norina Vicente (M.Sc. San Francisco State University) pioneered research
on ant ecology and conservation, is now pursuing a Ph.D. at Porto
University.
• Rassina Assane Farassi (M.Sc.) launched her Ph.D. at Coimbra University,
studying Gorongosa’s baboons to uncover clues to human evolution.
These accomplishments highlight Gorongosa’s commitment to nurturing local
scientists advancing ecology, primatology, and biodiversity conservation.
© Piotr Naskrecki
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
LET GIRLS LEARN
Education, or lack of it, shapes a woman’s destiny. But, for a
number of economic or social reasons, many girls in the region are
denied the chance to attend secondary school. Our Girls’ Clubs
program aims to keep girls in school and plays a crucial role in
promoting access to quality education and improving school
retention rates.
© Samo Jossefa
EDUCATION
Education is a basic human right. We work with the
Ministry of Education to support and deliver programs
ranging from preschool to postgraduate level,
reaching local school children and their teachers,
ex-combatants, and any community members who
want to learn, especially women.
In 2024, we ran a total of 119 Girls’ Clubs in six districts, benefitting
a total of 4,235 children. This year, for the first time, there were no
school dropouts of girls in our clubs, underscoring the program’s
effectiveness. According to Kodzue community leader, Baptista
Chimbatata,
“This is a program that has taught us that
girls have the same rights as boys…
I want all girls in school in my community.”
LITTLE LEARNERS
Many studies have shown that early childhood development
(ECD) is one of the most powerful contributors to human wellbeing
and success. The benefits of preschool last a lifetime, and lead to
longer, healthier, happier lives. But preschools are rare and often
unaffordable in rural areas. We are trying to change that with our
growing preschool program.
Two hundred forty-three young learners graduated from our pilot
preschools in December. In preparation for primary school, they
received a solid foundation in language and literacy, mathematics,
science, and art. The program also helps children develop their
cognitive, social, and emotional skills. The children also benefit
from a free meals program to support their nutritional needs.
Since 2023, our preschool program has given over 500 children a
great head start and we plan to expand to 100 preschools in the
coming years.
STRENGTHENING THE EDUCATION
SYSTEM
As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the local education
system, we supported the training of 812 teachers in our Teachers’
Clubs. By investing in the development of teachers, we also ensure
that their students receive a better education.
We are strengthening school management so that our schools are
centers of development in which the community, students,
teachers and managers create a safe learning environment. One
hundred and ninety-two school managers and their deputies, as
well as 422 school council members have been trained.
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EDUCATION CONTINUED
LIFELONG LEARNING
We know that many adults also need education in literacy
and numeracy, especially ex-combatants. To serve these
needs, we established 27 adult education centres as part
of our Peace Clubs program, reaching 1,055 people.
TRAINING & EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
In June, in partnership with the Government of
Mozambique, we opened a new job training centre,
offering courses in cooking, carpentry, mechanics,
locksmithing, plumbing, construction, and other essential
trades. The “Alberto Cassimo Vocational Training and
Labor Studies Institute” was inaugurated on June 5 in the
district of Gorongosa.
In 2024, our youth employment program secured
employment for 169 people, including 76 women.
YOUTH CLUB SUCCESS
One of the most inspiring stories is of Amélia Cancomba
from Gorongosa. Amélia was on the verge of being forced
into marriage by her mother due to financial hardship. With
a small fund from the savings group of our Youth Club, she
started a soft drink business using her supervisor’s freezer.
In just six months, she saved enough to enroll in a nursing
course in Chimoio, covering tuition for two full years. Now,
Amélia looks forward to completing her training and
returning home to support her mother and two younger
sisters.
Additionally, the Youth Clubs program has established three
formal associations in Gorongosa and Nhamatanda, each
generating income through chicken breeding.
low res
Our maternal and child care
programs are vital to early
childhood health and
development.
HEALTH
Working with the Ministry of Health, we provide access to
© Olivier Grunewald
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
School lunches are a proven way to attract and retain kids
in school, and make sure they’re getting the fuel they need
to learn and grow. Our school feeding program distributed
school lunches to 4,341 students throughout the year.
healthcare for the underserved communities in the
Sustainable Development Zone around Gorongosa
National Park. From bringing mobile health brigades to
RISING STAR IN EDUCATION
Congratulations to Gabriela (Gaby) Curtiz from Vila
Gorongosa, on receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in
International Business from Boise State University in the USA.
While in Boise, Gaby also received the BSU Student Leader
Award, the “Bronco Spirit” Award, and the BSU Trajectory
Award. After four years in the USA, Gaby has returned to
Gorongosa and will work on our education programs.
Gabriela (Gaby) Curtiz
remote areas and training community health workers
to delivering mother and child care programs, we want
to ensure that everyone receives the care, information,
and medicine they need to live healthier lives.
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HEALTH CONTINUED
Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
SPARKING CHANGE
In August, Gorongosa National Park was honoured to
host the Spark Global and Spark Africa Congress, a
prestigious gathering of medical professionals
dedicated to improving health care in rural regions
across the world. Spark creates partnerships between
universities and the medical industry that helps
researchers turn their discoveries into real-world
medical treatments through education, mentorship,
and funding.
HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES
In 2024, we conducted 570 mobile health brigades in
local communities, reaching 12,509 people with critical
care and medicine.
We trained an additional seventeen new community
health workers, including four women, bringing the
total number to 138. Each worker serves approximately
50 local families and, all together, they logged 28,763
home visits in 2024. These locally based health workers
bring healthcare and education to communities more
than 10 km from a health centre, focusing on common
preventable or treatable issues such as malnutrition,
malaria, etc.
COMBATING MALNUTRITION
The health of mothers and their children is a core focus
of our health work, particularly combating the
challenge of malnutrition in children under five years.
In 2024, we conducted 1,429 food and nutrition
education sessions, reaching 29,155 parents and
children. Our nutrition program worked with 685
community health workers, including 219 Matrons,
284 Model Moms, and 82 Model Dads, reaching
approximately 50,000 people with educational
messages.
Together with input from the community, we
developed a recipe book that will be released in
2025 to approximately 15,000 families. The book
offers recipes for more nutritious and diversified meals.
low res
Adequate nutrition in early
childhood is crucial for health
and development, laying the
foundation for a lifetime of
well-being.
WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE (WaSH)
Our long-running water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) program educated
and trained 124 community leaders in best practices. Each leader reaches
approximately 100 families or 500 people, meaning a total reach of
approximately 62,000 people for the program.
Together with the communities, we constructed four new wells to serve more
than 1,200 families. This brings our running total of wells built and rehabilitated
to 125.
We formed 31 new water and sanitation committees in local schools,
ensuring that over 700 schoolchildren and 31 teachers enjoy clean water
and hygienic conditions. The total number of students benefiting is 19,095.
These teams complement the work of our 126 WaSH committees in the
community, which has resulted in 96 additional communities being declared
Open Defecation Free (ODF) in 2024. This brings the total to 117 ODF
communities to date, with 1,560 members.
© Charlie Hamilton James
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
© © Salar Baygan
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Working with local communities as partners is at the
heart of our mission. Whether discussing sustainable
natural resource use at community meetings, creating
conditions for human-wildlife co-existence, or
supporting women’s empowerment, we are on this
journey together.
CONGRATULATIONS, HERCILIA!
Our Director of Community Relations, Hercília Chipanga Martins
(pictured left), received the 2024 Kfw-Berhnard Grzimek Award
in recognition of her efforts to protect biodiversity and promote
sustainable development. This prestigious award is given to
“hidden heroes in global nature and species conservation”.
In her acceptance speech, Hercília acknowledged her team
and the support of local communities: “This honour reflects our
strong community partnerships and our shared commitment
to preserving nature while making sure every voice is valued
and heard.”
NEW DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
We initiated 12 new community development projects worth over
USD 1M that will benefit over 2,000 households, including fish
farming, poultry farming, ecotourism, cashew production, and
beekeeping.
NEW COMMUNITY PLANS
In 2024, a total of 102 Community Based Natural Resource
Management (CBNRM) plans were in operation, promoting
sustainable utilization of natural resources in local communities.
These plans are developed by the community, identifying threats
and counteractions around issues such as deforestation,
uncontrolled fires, illegal hunting and fishing, and illegal wildlife
trafficking. The plans are supported by 342 community rangers,
312 community animators, 225 reforestation facilitators, and 68
forest guardians.
We conducted 14,462 conservation and sustainable development
awareness campaigns, reaching over 200,000 people.
Reforestation efforts have yielded almost 400,000 native plant
seedlings to be replanted in areas chosen by the community for
restoration.
HUMAN-WILDLIFE COEXISTENCE
We expanded this critically important program in 2024, creating
32 km of fences (mix of beehives and chili, etc) to deter elephants
from entering communities and farms, thus reducing conflict. This
brings the total length of our beehive fences to 86 km since 2019,
the longest of its kind in the world.
We also built and maintained 200 elephant-proof grain silos
(two-ton capacity) to protect the harvests of local families, bringing
the current silo total to 882. We trained over 4,000 people in
human-wildlife co-existence tactics, all to promote safety and
security for both communities and their wild neighbors.
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COMMUNITY RELATIONS CONTINUED
© Janado Cher
© Augusta Bila
PROTECTING MOUNT GORONGOSA
Joined by District officials and community members, we launched an ambitious
new campaign to safeguard Mount Gorongosa. With new awareness
campaigns, we call attention to the need to protect the rainforests of “Gogogo”
for the long-term health of both people and wildlife. The rivers that flow from the
mountain are the lifeblood of Gorongosa National Park.
We provided 15 motorbikes to community leaders to enable them to visit
communities with information about the negative impacts of deforestation, as
well as an invitation to participate in our reforestation and agroforestry efforts.
A further 68 Reforestation Facilitators and 75 Community Animators were
equipped with bicycles to help them in their conservation work.
ECO CLUBS
Our popular Eco-Clubs expanded to 114 schools in the sustainable
development zone and Coutada 12 area. This conservation and environmental
curriculum will now reach 712 teachers and 45,592 students, aged six to
twelve years.
AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT
Supporting local farmers in the Sustainable Development
Zone is a central pillar of our mission. We provide basic
inputs like seeds and fertilizer to smallholder farmers,
facilitate market access for surplus crops, and encourage
new farmers to join our growing “value-chain agriculture”
initiatives like coffee, cashew, honey, chili, and cassava.
Our celebration of international environmental days (e.g. World Lion Day)
reached almost 20,000 people. And our mobile cinema programs expanded
to reach almost 12,000 people. We broadcast 47 radio programmes during
the year, reaching all districts of the Sustainable Development Zone.
Our vision is that the Gorongosa Restoration project will be a sustainable economic
engine for the entire region. 45% of the coffee smallholders are women, proving that
coffee is an inclusive crop that supports women’s development and empowerment.
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AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
CONTINUED
Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
STRONG COFFEE GROWTH
Gorongosa coffee goes from strength to strength, working with over 997
local growers (including 202 new farmers in 2024) producing 40 tons of
green beans (two shipping containers), double the tally for 2023. New
roasters were installed, expanding production capacity even further,
processing over 346,000 kg of cherry.
Two hundred seventy-five hectares are now dedicated to growing coffee.
This year, the top farmers achieved revenues exceeding $1,000 (≈ @63.600
Meticais) from coffee sales (compared to a national average farmer
income of less than $250 [≈ @22.3 Meticais]).
Our coffee is one of only six national brands to reach export standards. We
proudly participated in the Maputo Coffee festival in Maputo this year, a
promotional and educational event that assembled industry experts,
producers, and coffee lovers.
Two of our team members (Juleida Zulfa Carlos and Edna Berta Catondo)
traveled to Ethiopia for coffee production training.
© Janado Cher
COFFEE SUCCESS STORIES
Coffee revenue is boosting incomes and transforming lives, allowing
farmers to build new homes or support their children’s education.
One of our farmers, Seriano Tacanhe Semente shares this inspiring story:
“The coffee allowed me to obtain the right of use
and benefit of a small piece of land near the
Honey is a highly
profitable product
and in high demand.
BUSY BEES
We opened a new honey processing factory in Vila Gorongosa
(pictured above) with areas for delivery, processing, and bottling. The
factory can process an impressive 1,000 kg of honeycombs per day, or
100 tons every year. The operation will improve the incomes of hundreds
of beekeepers, expand more sustainable honey harvesting practices,
and strengthen the local economy. What makes it even sweeter is that
some of the honey comes from beehive fences that protect farms from
crop-raiding elephants.
closest town where I am building a small house
for my children so they can go to school.”
Izaias Manejo, a farmer who planted more than three hectares a of
coffee, reports:
“I am investing the coffee revenue in the
education of my daughter.”
NUTS ABOUT CASHEW
In 2024, we expanded cashew production by 200 ha and established a
nursery for 35,000 seedlings. Fifty hectares have already been planted. At
current capacity, the project involves 4,700 farmers and yields
approximately 45 tons of raw cashew nuts.
To further boost cashew production, we established a 15 ha cashew seed
production area. By 2025, these trees are expected to yield 1.5 tons of
seeds.
A BUMPER CROP
Our out-growers sold 13.5 tons of produce back to Gorongosa
Restoration Project and into local markets, significantly boosting incomes,
the local economy and food security.
POWER OF THE SUN
We supplied 54 solar water pumps to serve 900 local farmers to enable
irrigation and crop production during the dry season.
CASSAVA TRIALS
We planted four different cassava varieties on approximately 0.5 ha,
establishing nurseries for each variety to assess adaptability in local
conditions. If successful, we will expand production of this highly
valuable and resilient crop.
NEW AGRI-HUB
We built a new “agriculture hub” on a one-hectare site in
Cheringoma. The hub will support farmers with access to high quality
inputs (seeds, fertilizers, etc.) and facilitate links into local markets.
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Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
© Margarida Pedro Victor
© Margarida Pedro Victor
© Thais Glowacki
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
(SIUD)
This is the newest department at the GRP and includes
a project design and construction monitoring sector.
This team plays a key role in delivering resilient and
sustainably built schools, health centers, agricultural
warehouses, and other community facilities in the
Gorongosa Sustainable Development Zone.
We built the Cheringoma Community Conservancy Center, a new and exciting
hub for strengthening connections between the local communities in the
northern conservancy areas. The center will host training programs, community
meetings, and conservation activities. The master plan prioritizes functional and
sustainable design, structuring the site around two main green cores connected
by a central social area.
WELCOME, JESSICA XAVIER!
We welcome a new architect to our infrastructure
development team this year: from the nearby
Dondo district.
Training room
Aerial View of Cheringoma
Community Conservancy
Centre.
“I have always dreamed of working in humanitarian
aid, and being able to do so near my birthplace is a
privilege that reminds me every day of the positive
impact that architecture can have on people’s lives.”
The first green core houses training and administrative facilities, ensuring a
dedicated space for training and management. The second core is designed
for the accommodation of beneficiaries, creating a well organized, efficient,
and environmentally integrated layout. The Center, funded by GEF-6/UNDP, will
be opened in mid 2025.
32 33
© Thais Glowacki

SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND
URBAN DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED
RESILIENT SCHOOLS
In 2024, with the support of the Ministry of Education, USAID,
UN-Habitat, OIKOS and AVSI, and members of the local
communities, we built and opened the first 9 of 26 new resilient
schools across the 6 districts in the Sustainable Development Zone.
Once completed, the 26 new schools will serve over 15,000 students.
These new buildings are not just primary schools––they are designed
to operate as community shelters during extreme weather events.
Each school features six classrooms, administrative offices, separate
latrines for boys and girls, two houses for teachers, and water wells.
In 2025, we will finish 17 more schools.
Armando Emilio
Guebuza school
before rebuilding.
© Ailton Sacur
© Ailton Sacur
Chiguideia school
before rebuilding.
Chiguideia school
after rebuilding.
© Jose Chimbote
© José Chimbote
The community played a key role by producing bricks and
helping build the schools. A total of 293 community workers
were employed, including 92 women in roles like bricklaying and
carpentry support. This fosters ownership and strengthens long-term
maintenance.
Armando Emilio
Guebuza school
after rebuilding.
Some of the
community
workers
employed on
GENDER INCLUSIVE APPROACH
As part of an innovative and inclusive approach, 9 women were recruited as
construction technicians and community mobilisers. Their involvement strengthened
project delivery, promoted gender equity, and introduced new positive role models
in civil construction within the community.
Valentina Uarracula, construction technician, used the techniques she learned to
build her own house, and continues to pass on the knowledge to local construction
workers, including other women.
“Along this path, I have been learning a lot about
making my dreams come true”
the project.
34 35

Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
SPOTLIGHT ON
GORONGOSA SAFARIS
GROWTH, GROWTH, GROWTH!
© Gorongosa Safaris
TOURISM
Two tourism companies––Turvisa (Visabeira) and
Turismo de Gorongosa––committed to long-term
concession contracts, underlining the consistent
and rapidly growing demand for life changing
tourism experiences in Gorongosa National Park.
We are delighted to have started the next
chapter of these long-term partnerships, and the
AIR ACCESS
We invested heavily in air
access to the Park in
partnership with
Mozambique’s leading air
charter provider, Safari Air.
Visitors now have a weekly
schedule, with fixed prices,
to enter the Park by light
aircraft.
MT
COMMUNITY CAMP
NEW CAMP ON MOUNT
GORONGOSA
We trialled a new rustic camp on Mount Gorongosa, giving
visitors the opportunity to stay overnight in the forest of this
unique ecosystem for the first time. The Community Camp is
a one-of-a-kind opportunity to explore the rugged beauty
of the mountain, its rich cultural heritage and remarkable
endemic biodiversity. Hike forest trails, swim in hidden
waterfalls or sip our home-grown mountain coffee.
REVENUE GROWTH
We increased tourism revenue by more than 40 percent,
surpassing our targets. These revenues allowed us to make
record payments to the Park and its surrounding communities.
Building on this momentum, we are delighted to now be
included in the “Classic Portfolio” group of properties,
alongside some of the most renowned safari lodges on the
continent. Watch this space for lots more exciting news,
offers and more in 2025!
exciting tourism opportunities they will bring.
36 37

TOURISM CONTINUED
Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
RISING STAR IN TOURISM
In March, Dádiva David Salomão earned her Nature Site Guide (NQF4)
designation from the Field Guides Association of Southern Africa FGASA).
At just 23 years old, Dádiva is the youngest female Mozambican guide to
achieve this qualification and second overall. She is now setting her
sights on her Trails Guide qualification for walking safaris.
© Augusto Bila
GORONGOSA IN THE MEDIA
© Richard Uren
TOP TRACKERS
Four young men, all originating from communities surrounding Gorongosa
National Park, graduated with honors from South Africa’s top tracker
academy in 2024. Binda Tomás, Isaquel Jorge Nginga, Miguel Filipe André
and Samuel Pedro Nhambessa, graduated with high marks and earned
Level 3 tracker certification––the program’s highest qualification.
Remarkably, in a cohort drawn from across Southern Africa, Isaquel Jorge
Nginga stood head and shoulders above the competition, winning the “Best
Student Award” for both 2024 classes at Tracker Academy. We are
incredibly proud of you, Isaquel!
NEW WEBSITE
We launched a new website (gorongosasafaris.com), transformed our
reservations and booking experience, and formed partnerships with some
of Africa’s top agents and guides.
NEW MANAGEMENT
Benilde Elias was promoted to become the Manager of Muzimu Lodge,
meaning our flagship property will be led by an all-Mozambican, female
management team in 2025.
Our media team completed editing a new film with
National Geographic Channel to be aired in 2025. The
cameraperson and field producer was our own Augusto
Bila (“Ago”) and he is, as far as we know, the first
Mozambican to “shoot” a Nat Geo film. Congrats, Ago!
• RTP made a beautiful special about Gorongosa hosted by well-known
journalist, Luis Henrique Pereira. It aired in August 2024.
• Thirteen films made in Gorongosa as part of the Nature, Environment, Wildlife
Filmmaking (NEWF) African Science Film Fellowship were released to the world,
including two episodes of the award-winning PBS series, Wild Hope. These two
films, available on the PBS website, featured our pangolin rescue and
rehabilitation program, as well as our partnership with Moz Guano to sustainably
harvest bat guano from local caves.
• Mércia Ângela and our pangolin project were featured in the Guardian
newspaper in July.
• In July, Al Jazeera published a “long read” about the restoration of Gorongosa
National Park.
38 39

FINANCIALS
INCOME ROUNDED 2024
Sum of Net
USD
Sum
of %
Co-operation partners 16 398 067 59
Foundations, philanthropy, donations 9 442 186 34
Tourist income 1 363 182 5
Natural products 529 644 <2
Grand Total 27 733 079 100
EXPENSES ROUNDED 2024
1
coffee, honey, cashews, chilli, tourism
2
schools and health centers
Sum of Net
USD
Sum
of %
Human development 7 677 213 28
Economic development 1 5 190 223 19
Conservation 4 443 016 16
Program support services 3 631 330 13
Finance and planning 2 116 702 8
Tourism 1 379 659 5
Social infrastructure 2 1 065 534 4
Science 1 026 335 4
Agricultural marketing 529 644 <2
Communications 238 033 <1
Park administration 215 619 <1
Grand Total 27 513 308 100
40 41
© Miguel Lajas

Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
ORGANISATIONAL
STRUCTURE
GOVERNMENT OF MOZAMBIQUE
ANAC
OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
PARK WARDEN
PRESIDENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MANAGING DIRECTOR
CONSERVATION
SCIENCE
HUMAN
DEVELOPMENT
AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL
INFRASTRUCTURE &
URBAN
DEVELOPMENT
OPERATIONS FINANCE COMMUNICATIONS
Provincial and District
Authority Engagement
Rangers
Veterinary Services
Ecological Monitoring
Spatial Data
Management
Elephant Ecology
Education
• Preschool
• After School Clubs
• Teachers’ Clubs
• Gender Equity / Men
for Equality
• Peace Clubs /
Adult Literacy
Agriculture
Smallholder Farms
Regenerative Agriculture
Agriculture Tech Services
Project Design &
Construction Management
Climate Resilient
Buildings
Urban Planning––Model
Cities
Human Resources
Strategic Planning /
Business Development
Stakeholder
Management
Finance & Admin
• Accounts &
Budgeting
• Financial Analysis &
Forecasting
• Risk Management
• Legal
• Policies & Procedures
• IT Services
Outreach and
Engagement
Gorongosa Films
Human Wildlife
Co-existence, Reaction
Ecosystem Integrity
Paleontology
Bio-Education
Health
• APE / Mobile Brigade
• WaSH
• Model Moms /
Model Dads / TBA’s
Mount Gorongosa
Multi-Sector Manager
Forestry Carbon Projects
Integrated Land Use
Planning
Integrated Systems & Data
Management
Supply Chain
Management
• Procurement
• Logistics
Community Relations
Park Infrastructure and
Services
• CBNRM / Efficient
Cook Stoves
• Conservation
Education
• Human-Wildlife
Co-existence,
Prevention
42 43

Gorongosa Restoration Project
2024 Highlights
LOOKING FORWARD
TO 2025
2025 promises to be a very busy and
impactful year. Here’s a taste of what
to expect.
In 2025, we will test cassava (tapioca)
varieties for use in local consumption.
If successful, this will be a huge boost
to the local sustainable economy.
Our new film with
National Geographic
is slated to premiere
in April.
Our rangers will adopt a
new SMART system to
improve data gathering
and patrol management.
Gorongosa Products (Produtos da
Gorongosa) will develop a new
coffee roast for the hospitality sector
and launch a new website.
We will pilot the use of
mobile electric fences
as a human-wildlife
co-existence strategy.
84
78
17
© Nuno Cardosa
Our 2025 green bean
coffee harvest is
estimated to be a
whopping 84 tons.
We will support the implementation
of an environmental education
curriculum in 78 local primary schools,
reaching about 20,000 pupils.
We will complete 17
more “resilient
infrastructure”
schools.
44 45

© Joao Fernandes
OUR PARTNERS
We extend our deepest gratitude to our
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AND DONORS
CARR
FOUNDATION
dedicated partners, whose unwavering support
and commitment make our conservation and
sustainable development efforts possible.
Their vision, resources, and collaboration are essential to our mission
of protecting biodiversity and supporting local communities in
Gorongosa National Park.
Aqualia
INTERNATIONAL
FOUNDATION
We want to say a special thank you to the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID), whose representative first visited
the Park with Greg Carr in 2004. USAID has been a loyal partner,
providing support since 2006. USAID has been critical to our
environmental and social impact over the past 20 years across all
conservation, science, and human development programs.
PRODUCTS
SAFARIS
GORONGOSA
BUSINESS CLUB
and supported by many more – THANK YOU!
46 47

Contacts
Gorongosa Project
Av. Mártires da Revolução Nº 1452, Edifício CPMZ – 1º Andar
Bairro do Macuti | PO Box 1983 | Beira – Moçambique
Email: contact@gorongosa.net
Follow us on social media
https://www.facebook.com/gorongosa/
https://twitter.com/GorongosaPark
https://www.instagram.com/gorongosapark/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/gorongosa/videos
www.gorongosa.org
GORONGOSA RESTORATION PROJECT