Maputo, Mozambique, 19 July – More than 3,500 tourists visited the Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique’s Sofala province in the first six months of this year, a significant increase in from the 2,500 visitors recorded in the same period in 2006, officials said.

Gorongosa’s manager, Baldeu Chande, said a third of the visitors to the park were Mozambicans, closely followed by South Africans and citizens of European states.

By 2009, Chande predicted Gorongosa will have around 30,000 visitors per year.

The reserve’s partnership with America’s Carr Foundation is allowing for infrastructure modernization and restocking of wildlife, noted Chande.

At least 800 animals are being introduced into the national park this year, he said, including buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. (macauhub)