Mana Pools is one of my favourite safari areas in Southern Africa, there is a huge variety of activities and excellent camps with some of the best wildlife guiding in the world. Combine Mana with other safari areas or spend an extended period explore a couple of different parts of the park. In the last few years some amazing work has been done here with Wild Dog conservation and it is now a stronghold of the species as well as a plethora of other game.
Located in northern Zimbabwe, the life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and flourishing regions. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for its natural beauty and as one of the continent’s premier game-viewing areas. Visitors can look forward to an array of activities such as canoe trips which are offered year round and provide a unique and memorable way for visitors to experience the area’s striking scenic beauty and diverse fauna, while guided walks are a great way to take its pristine riverside forests. Other popular activities include: game drives, river cruises, nature walks, bird watching, catch-and-release fishing, and searching for dinosaur tracks.
Mana Pools is best visited in the dry season between June and the end of October, this is when the wildlife viewing will be at its best and all of the activities that the area is known for can be enjoyed. There is great Elephant sightings in many of the camps in this time and the Wild Dogs are easier to locate.
The “green” season brings with it some of the best birding in Africa and some incredible colours, it is, like the rest of Africa during this time, incredible value. With few camps open at this time of year there is also very little traffic which makes for a lovely experience, however, some activities may not be available.
Access is straight forward by light aircraft from either of the main ports of entry into Zimbabwe (Harare and Victoria Falls) or from other safari areas such as Hwange or Matusadona.
Game drives here are fantastic and the wildlife density in the area close to the gate is good, but this is an area well known for amazing walking safaris as well as other more unusual activities such as canoe safaris and catch and release fishing.
Top Mana Pools camps
Kanga Camp
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Perfect for a mix of traditional tented styling with touches of luxury in a superb location.
Ruckomechi
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Perfect for a brilliantly appointed camp run by one of the best established safari operators in Southern Africa, a truly icon Zimbabwe camp.
Zambezi Expeditions
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Perfect for the more adventurous looking for a true safari camp experience. A camp that focuses on wildlife and authenticity.
Little Vundu
Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
Perfect for an intimate safari experience with one of the most well respected independent safari operators in Southern Africa.