Leadership Trails Mozambique

8 Days

What you will learn

You will develop your stronger and your less developed leadership skills by guiding your fellow learners in the bush. Being out of your comfort zone offers great learning potential.When walking in the bush we carry a rifle with us for safety reasons. You will learn to follow before you will learn to lead in the bush.

You will also learn basic knowledge about safety, group control and off course nature and animal behavior. Plus skills such as:

  • Leading bush walks in a Big 5 area
  • Driving a 4*4 vehicle through any kind of terrain
  • Bush leadership skills
  • Navigating using terrain, animals, sun, moon and stars
  • Tracking animals
  • Necessary survival skills

A major highlight will be a two day walk including a sleep out on Gorongosa mountain in your sleeping bag by a campfire while taking turns for being on guard. We will also visit local initiatives that have been or will be funded through UbuntuTrust.

Where you will stay

Our training takes place in Gorongosa National Park, situated at the Southern edge of the Rift Valley in Mozambique. The park enjoys abundant seasonal rainfall, a wide diversity of habitants and fertile ground, which allows for large concentrations of wildlife. Within the park we will stay in our own private bush camp that is set up in a remote location far from the other activities in the park. We will drive there from the airstrip in the main area. The park’s size is 400,000 hectares or 4,000 square kilometers: an area of roughly 65 by 60 kilometers. Gorongosa is considered as one of the greatest conservation success in Southern Africa. It has been turned into a magnificent wildlife area once again.

Our camp is unfenced so we share it with the bush and all the animals around us: birds, insects,monkeys, snakes, elephants, hippo’s, lions, and plains game sometimes visit or walk trough. You will find their tracks all over, giving us a clue where to go in the morning. In this area other people like researchers are also allowed. When we meet them we will exchange information about animal movements so we increase each others changes of sightings with our desired animals. As long as we follow the ethical and safety rules for being in the bush we are completely free to do as we please.

Where you will sleep and eat

You will have private dome tent. Our tents measure 2.5*2.5 meters. We share hot water showers and toilets. We have our own chef and staff that will cook authentic bush cooked food for all your meals, unless we want to do a BBQ ourselves along the way somewhere. Coffee, tea and water is available all day. Wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks are available at sundowners and in the evening. All food and drinks are included

The following is included

  • Flight from Beira to Gorongosa and back
  • All accommodation and facilities in camp
  • Vehicle and fuel
  • Guiding and training/coaching activities
  • All meals and drinks in camp
  • Usage of books and other educational materials

The following is excluded

  • All other flights
  • All accommodation outside of camp
  • All food, drinks and personal expenditures outside of camp
What is the weather like?

Mozambique is a tropical country with two major seasons – the wet season from November to March, and the dry season from April to October. The dry season is an ideal climate for your Mozambique safari.

Each month in Gorongosa brings a unique experience as the changing seasons bring new life to the Park:

March – April
The floods recede at the very end of the wet season to reveal lush green grass, and overflowing pools. In March, the heat and humidity of the rainy season still lingers with average temperatures around 31°C (88°F) and occasional showers. April is a turning point with rainfall dropping off and nights growing cooler.

May – June
Many say that these months are the most beautiful in Gorongosa as the Park stays an emerald green color, there is little chance of rain, days are warm and nights are pleasant. The average daytime temperature in May and June is 28°C (82°F) with cooler nights.

July – August
The effects of the dry season begin to show as pans start to recede and vegetation turns from lush green to a golden hue. The animals cluster around water holes and game viewing is at its best. Days are mild and breezy with an average daytime temperature of 26°C (79°F) and little chance of rain. The chill of winter is creeping into the crisp, clear nights, as the stars seem brightest this time of year.

September – October
The winter dry season is on the verge of turning to summer and signs are everywhere. The golden landscape is sprinkled with flowering plants beginning to bloom. Pans have dwindled to their driest points as waterbirds compete for catfish but hope is on the horizon. The end of September brings the first much-needed showers and daytime temperatures begin to creep up to 30°C (86°F). By October, showers are bringing life back to the arid plains.

November – December
Summer is here and you will start to feel the heat! With the heat comes the beginning of the rains but, not to worry, the heavy rainy season is not upon us yet. The early rains of November and December pass quickly. The sun breaks through the clouds and the animals are left with some much needed water and greenery. Daytime temperatures average 32°C (90°F). It’s perfect weather for a dip in our swimming pool!

What kind of health precautions should I take?

Before you go
As with travel to any country, you should visit your doctor four to eight weeks ahead of your visit to get the recommended vaccinations and medications. There is no risk of yellow fever in Mozambique, and travellers coming from a yellow fever zone must show a record of vaccination against yellow fever. All travellers are required to have their vaccination records when they cross the border.

We recommend that all foreign travellers consider travel insurance to provide you with coverage in a medical emergency while traveling and to protect you in the event that your trip gets unexpectedly cancelled.

While you are in Mozambique
Your doctor will have advised you on appropriate medications and vaccinations, and while you are here, it’s sensible to use insect repellent, and wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks in the evenings. Use sunscreen appropriately, and remember to stay hydrated during your activities! Bottled water is provided on the safari drives, in the guest bedrooms, and is also available at the restaurant.

What are the visa and passport requirements?

To enter Mozambique, you’ll need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival and have at least 3 unstamped passport pages. You also must carry your vaccination records that show that you have been vaccinated for yellow fever if you are a traveller coming from a yellow fever zone.

Tourist visas are also required for everyone except citizens of South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Malawi, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. You must get a tourist visa in advance from the Mozambique embassy or consulate in your home country. You may be asked to provide a letter from Gorongosa National Park stating that they are expecting you. If you need this letter, don’t hesitate to contact us. Usually an address is requested on arrival or when applying for a visa. Please use the following address: Gorongosa National Park, Sofala Province, Mozambique.

What clothes should I bring?

Bring along a good jacket, scarf, gloves and woolen or fleece headwear if you are travelling in winter. It can get quite hot during the day so light summer clothing is also a must. The best was to deal with winter is to dress in layers. If you are travelling in summer, a good sweater (jumper) is recommended, as it can get rather cool as well as a light raincoat. Light trousers and a cool long-sleeved shirt in the evenings in summer will help protect you from the mosquitoes. For the remainder bring light cotton clothing. For walks it is recommended that you bring neutral or camouflage colored clothing (beige, khaki, olive, stone etc.) but when travelling in the vehicle, most colors are fine – light colors generally being cooler. Dark blue and black clothing are not recommended. Bring clothing that can be hand washed easily and dried quickly. Bring some good walking shoes and quick drying sandals (with sturdy soles to protect you from the large thorns, ‘Keen’ is a good brand) as you may need to get your feet wet on walks and mokoro or boating activities. You may get opportunities to swim, so bring along a swimming outfit. Don’t forget your sun hat!

Are all food and drinks included?

In Camp all meals are provided; please inform us if you have any special requirements or if you are allergic to any food. Water, tea and coffee and soft drinks are available all day. Wines, beers, spirits are available at sundowners and in the evening.

Are there any limitations for luggage?

On safari we prefer to travel light. If possible restrict to hand luggage only. Otherwise duffel/soft bags are preferable, as these pack easier into aircraft and vehicles, hard cases are not recommended.

What are necessary items to bring?

Equipment
o Binoculars
o Camera / Video Camera
o Flashlight
o Backpack
o Water bottle
o Guide books & animal checklists

Travel & Medical Supplies
o Passport & Visa
o Additional piece of identification, such as driver’s license
o Photocopy of passport & visa kept in a separate place
o Vaccination records
o Travel Insurance
o TSA approved luggage locks
o Plug adapters
o Batteries
o Anti-malarial medication
o Other medications (e.g. prescriptions)
o Sunscreen
o Insect repellent*

Recommendations for insect repellent:
o The most effective insect repellent is DEET and repellent with 10% is sufficient.
o Repellents with the active ingredient IR3535 is effective for mosquitoes but won’t protect against biting flies.
o Permethrin impregnated clothing and bed nets are also very effective.

Can I drink the local water?

We supply bottled water. It is important to remember to drink enough water while on safari. If you are traveling in the summer months you should bring rehydration salts to add to your water. One sachet per person per day will be sufficient and will prevent any dehydration problems. Rehydration salts are available in most pharmacies in powder form, which is the most suitable for travel.

Do I need to tip?

Tipping of our staff is optional and the amount is entirely up to you.

Is there elctricity on camp?

There is a generator in our bush camp and we will run it when needed. But please bring enough charged spare batteries for camera’s and lamps. You should als bring charging facilities for local, USB and European plugs. USA clients should bring converters to European plugs.

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Leadership Trails Mozambique