Banhine National Park in Mozambique
Banhine National Park is a one of the protected areas in the Republic of Mozambique positioned in the northern Gaza province. Covering an area of approximately 7,250 square kilometers, the park was established on 26 June 1973 and in 2013, the limits of the park were updated to reflect the realities on the ground especially the human presence in the area.
Banhine national park consists of the inland wetlands that act as important sources of water to the dry lands that are near it. It receives annual rainfall which is only 430 millimeters. Also, the park is made of 1% of wetlands and it has more than a thousand pans that range in size from a few square kilometers to thousands of hectares. These pans are sometimes very salty or sweet and also drinkable. The water comes from the area of the park to the northwest direction near the Zimbabwe boundary flowing through many channels into the wetlands and then into the Changane River.
Banhine national park stretches to districts administratively including Chicualacuala District, Chigubo District and Mabalane District.
What to see while in Banhine national park
Banhine national park encompasses a variety of attractions including its amazing landscape, the animals, plants, and bird species. All these will definitely fancy your eyes while on a visit to the park.
Animal species in the park
There is a numerous animal species in Banhine national park though some of them were destroyed during the civil wars in the country during 1980s and early 1990s. Among the animals in the park include the cape buffalos, sable tsessebe, Selous zebra, hartebeest, blue wildebeest, kudu, reedbuck, duiker, porcupine, warthog, duiker, impala, steenbok, oribi and others. Also, the park offers a habitat to different predators such as lions, leopards, servals, spotted hyenas, cheetahs and others.
Fish species
Banhine national park is a home to more than 18 species of fish including the African lungfish, two killifish, and also the two barbell species that have developed ways to live in the predictable conditions of the drought.
Bird species
A number of species of birds have been sighted in the park including the migratory birds and the endemic birds. The park is one of the best destinations in Mozambique for the birders offering a home to bird species like white faced whistling duck, white backed duck, Egyptian goose, spur winged goose, African pygmy goose, blue billed Teal, helmeted Guineafowl, little Grebe, Red eyed Dove, ring necked dove, Laughing dove, white bowed coucal, red crested bustard, African palm swift, black crake and others. While going for this experience, remember to move with a pair of binoculars which will help you to sight the birds at distant places.