Mozambique : the last mysteries of Mount Namuli

With its imposing granite cliff face standing a gigantic 700m tall, the Namuli, 2,419m, is the second highest mountain in Mozambique. The civil war and the difficulties involved in accessing it have made it one of the last unexplored mountains remaining in southern Africa. Its biodiversity is therefore still unknown to the scientific community.

SEPTEMBER 2014

A first scientific expedition on its south-eastern face was conducted in 2011. This expedition, headed by Majka Burhardt, made an inventory of the biodiversity of the huge cliff face and highlighted a number of little or unknown species.

South-eastern face of Mount Namuli, Mozambique.

Three species discovered by the scientists are potentially endemic. The results will be known in 2012.

To preserve this unexplored region that is neglected by tourists, it is important to highlight its exceptional biodiversity. Its goal of protecting the cliff environment encouraged the Petzl Foundation to support the expedition. The government will be able to use the expedition results to take the necessary protective measures.

Majka Burhardt, guide and explorer, says:

"Lost Mountain is the story of an adventure, of the discovery of one of the last places that remain unexplored on the African continent. Along with Sarah, another professional climber, I supervised a team of international scientists charged with making an inventory of the biodiversity of Mount Namuli's 700m of granite cliff. Here, the animal and plant life has evolved in unique conditions of isolation, enabling the existence of endemic species, unique in the world. It is a real adventure, serving science."

Updated in september 2014

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