Niassa National Reserve
Wildlife & Animals
Mozambique Parks
By Philip Briggs
Philip is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Bradt guidebooks to African destinations, including the guide to Mozambique.
Due to nearby hunting concessions and a lack of habituation, animals tend to be skittish. Four of the Big Five are present. Elephants are quite common. Lions are sometimes spotted and wild dogs are well represented in the park. There is a good variety of antelope species including Lichtenstein's hartebeest, greater kudu, bushbuck, waterbuck, klipspringer and reedbuck.
Wildlife Highlights
Of special interest is the large population of sable antelope. These regal antelopes are usually found in thick miombo woodland. Also worth noting is the three endemic subspecies found in Niassa: Crawshay's zebra (lacks the shadow stripes of other subspecies), Niassa wildebeest (larger than other subspecies) and Johnston's impala (smaller than other subspecies).
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
The Dry season from May to October is the best time for spotting animals in Niassa. Wildlife is easier to see at that time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the river and other permanent water sources.
Wildlife Rating Per Major Park
- Gorongosa NP 3.4/5 5 Wildlife Ratings
- Maputo SR 2.0/5 1 Wildlife Rating
