Overview–mozambique

Limpopo National Park

Limpopo National Park is the Mozambican counterpart of South Africa’s Kruger National Park. The two share a 200km/125mi border (unfenced in parts) and form part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area (GLTFCA), which also incorporates Mozambique’s Banhine and Zinave National Parks and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park. All the Big Five are present, but numbers are very low.

Best Time to Visit

Wildlife viewing in Limpopo National Park is difficult due to the low densities of animals, but sightings tend to be better from July to October (the middle to the end of the Dry season). At this time, animals are forced to drink at the park’s few permanent water sources as there is no other water left in the bush. The dry weather also causes vegetation to thin out, which makes spotting animals easier.

May to October –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife viewing is at its best
Lots of sunshine and not much rain
The risk of malaria is minimal
Skies are hazy and vegetation looks parched
From May to August warm clothing is needed for early morning activities

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

The scenery is green and fresh
A favorite time for birders, with migratory birds in the park
Newborn animals are common
Wildlife watching is less rewarding
Hot and humid conditions
Malaria is more of a concern
Roads deteriorate after heavy rain

Scenery

Limpopo NP is mostly located in the Lowveld, but this flat land rises up to the Lebombo Mountains on the border with Kruger. There are several big rivers including the scenic Olifants River. At the main entrance to the park, the Olifants River dams up to form a body of water covering more than 120km²/46mi².

Activities

The park is mainly a self-drive destination. The road network is limited, but there is a 4x4 vehicle route for the adventurous. Canoeing, fishing, and walking safaris used to be on offer, but they are no longer available following the closure of the only private tourist lodge a few years back. These activities may resume if and when the lodge reopens, but this is unlikely to happen anytime soon.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Jan

Feb

Mar

Dec

April

May

Jun

Nov

Rates

From: $156 to $831 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: July to October (Easier wildlife spotting)

High Season

From: Never (Little-visited park)

Size

From: 11,000km² / 4,247mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Limpopo National Park borders South Africa’s world-famous Kruger National Park. All the animals recorded in Kruger are potentially also found in Limpopo, including the Big Five. However, wildlife densities are much lower on the Mozambican side. Elephants and buffalo are occasionally spotted in the Dry season, but rhinos, leopards, and lions are very seldom seen.

Wildlife Highlights

There aren’t many roads in the park and spotting wildlife from a vehicle is difficult, as most animals are shy and retreat into the thick bush when disturbed. If you can arrange an armed guide, wildlife viewing is best done on foot. Seeing any of the big animals, such as elephants, buffalo, or giraffes, on a walking safari is a special experience. If you stay inside the park, lions and hyenas are often heard at night.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for viewing animals in Limpopo NP is from July to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season (May to October). Wildlife is easier to spot at that time because the bush has thinned out and animals gather around the few permanent water sources.

General Wheather

Winter and summer in Limpopo National Park (which correspond to the Dry and Wet seasons, respectively) are experienced at opposite times of year in Europe, North America, and Asia. The wet summer months (November to April) are hot and humid. The dry winter months (May to October) are warm and mild but cold at night. Bring warm clothing for early morning game drives.

Dry Season –May to October – Winter

There is almost no rainfall during winter and the humidity is low. Animals are drawn to permanent water sources as other sources of water become scarce in the bush.

May – This is a transitional month and marks the end of summer. Temperatures are cooling down to typically 13°C/55°F in the morning and 29°C/84°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Mornings will be cold, so don’t forget to pack warm clothing. The average morning temperature is 12°C/54°F. Afternoons are generally pleasant with temperatures around 26°C/79°F and cloudless skies.
September & October – The heat gradually builds to about 31°C/88°F in the afternoon, and the first rains bring relief from very dry conditions. Mornings are warming up with temperatures around 17°C/63°F.

Wet Season –November to April – Summer

It is hot and humid in summer. Peak temperatures frequently reach well over 40°C/104°F, although average daytime temperatures are around 33°C/91°F. It rarely rains all day, but the pattern is afternoon storms.

November – It gets hotter during this month and it starts to rain more often, mostly in the afternoon. Temperatures are between 19°C/66°F in the morning and 32°C/90°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These are the wettest and hottest months, characterized by torrential downpours in the afternoon and high humidity. Afternoon temperatures are normally around 34°C/93°F but can soar to well over 40°C/104°F.
March & April – Rainfall decreases and it slowly gets cooler. April has lovely, clear weather and few clouds. The nights get a bit colder but are still pleasant at about 17°C/63°F. Daytime temperatures are around 33°C/91°F and the humidity drops.

Prons

Large ecosystem
Can be visited from Kruger via a border crossing
Transit corridor between Kruger and the Mozambican coast

Cons

Limited choice of accommodations
Animals are skittish and wildlife densities are very low
Very limited road network
Human encroachment

How To Get There

For most international travelers, Maputo International Airport (MPM) is the entry point into Mozambique. It is about 3km/2mi from Maputo, the capital city.

Limpopo National Park is mainly a self-drive destination, and roads in the park typically require a 4x4 vehicle. You can hire a 4x4 in Maputo and drive to the park. The distance from Maputo to the main gate, near the small town of Massingir, is about 350km/220mi. The drive takes at least 6 hours*.

Limpopo NP can also be visited as an extension to a Kruger National Park tour or en route from Kruger to the Mozambican coast. There are two border posts between Kruger and Limpopo. The main border post is Giriyondo, about 40km/25mi from Kruger’s Letaba Rest Camp and 75km/45mi from Massingir. The second border post is Pafuri, in the far north of the park. It lies on a serious 4x4 vehicle route that is best done in convoy.

There are no flights to anywhere near the park.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Maputo International Airport (MPM), and what tickets would cost.