One of southern Africa’s most iconic and ecologically significant safari destinations has been closed to tourists for over a month and there is no firm reopening date yet. Devastating floods that tore through southern and central Mozambique in January 2026 have brought tourism at Limpopo National Park to a complete standstill, severing roads, cutting off access routes, and forcing authorities into an urgent race to restore one of the continent’s great conservation jewels.
What Happened
Tourism has been halted for over a month in Limpopo National Park, in the southern Mozambican province of Gaza, because of the floods that hit much of southern and central Mozambique in January.
The scale of destruction was severe. The internal road networks, which serve as the lifeline for safari expeditions and ranger patrols alike, suffered critical damage during the January downpours. Multiple sections of these essential pathways were washed away entirely, while others were left in a condition deemed impassable for standard and off-road tourist vehicles. Safety was prioritised above all else, and the movement of visitors through the reserve was halted immediately following the identification of these hazards.
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The floods were part of a wider regional catastrophe. Torrential rains and subsequent flooding hit Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people across the three nations and leaving communities stranded from medical and emergency services. South Africa’s National Disaster Management Centre declared the situation a national disaster on January 18, 2026. In Mozambique alone, over 400,000 people were displaced.
Park Officials Break Their Silence
Limpopo National Park administrator Francisco Pariela, speaking to reporters as part of ongoing work to resume tourist activities in the conservation area, confirmed that the heavy rains caused severe damage, especially to the roads crossing the park, which are currently in critical condition due to cuts in several sections preventing the circulation of tourists.
Pariela explained that cooperation is underway with Kruger National Park in neighbouring South Africa to create conditions that will allow the resumption of activities as soon as possible.
Park management is addressing the logistical challenges with urgency, yet the scale of the repairs means a full reopening will only occur once the safety of all visitors can be guaranteed.
