Overview–zimbabwe

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site, protects a pristine wilderness area along the lower Zambezi River. Roamed by four of the Big Five (no rhino), it is one of the best places in Africa for walking safaris and canoe safaris, which are led by experienced professional guides. For this reason, the park is highly recommended to adventurous travelers seeking an immersive bush experience.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for wildlife viewing in Mana Pools National Park is from June to October. Animals are easier to spot then because the dry weather thins the bush and wildlife concentrates around the Zambezi River and the pools on its floodplains. Parts of the park might be closed to vehicles during part of the Wet season (November to March).

April to October –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife is easier to spot as animals come to drink at the Zambezi River
Days are sunny and there is practically no rain
Malaria risk is reduced since there are few mosquitoes
It is cooler (with the exception of October)
There is a lot of dust and drought
It is cold in the early mornings

November to March –Wet Season – Summer

The scenery is fresh and green
Newborn animals are common
The arrival of migratory birds makes birding superb
Wet, muddy roads can become difficult to drive or even impassable
The Dry season is better for wildlife viewing
It is damp with high humidity and the afternoons are hot
Many accommodations are closed

Scenery

‘Mana’ is the word for ‘four’ in the local Shona language, and the park’s name refers to a group of four oxbow lakes set on a baobab-studded stretch of the Zambezi floodplain. Ironically, despite their high billing in the park’s name, these pools often dry up during the peak tourist season. A more reliable scenic highlight is the Zambezi River, a mesmerizing African waterway whose islands and sandbanks are lined with lush riverine forest set below a mountainous escarpment.

Activities

The main activities are guided walking safaris and game drives. It is possible to do one or the other exclusively, but many guides recommend a hybrid that involves driving to a specific hot spot or until promising tracks are located, then setting out on foot. Unguided walking, though permitted, is not recommended unless you have significant bush experience. Many camps offer canoe safaris, which are a wonderful experience, but do check availability in advance.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Oct

Jan

Feb

Mar

April

Dec

May

Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: June to October (Best wildlife viewing)

High Season

From: July to September

Size

From: 2,196km² / 848mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Mana Pools National Park is home to the most common safari animals, including four of the Big Five (no rhino). The park is famed for its elephants, but buffalo are also very common, and large numbers of lions and other carnivores concentrate on the Zambezi floodplain from June to October. Other common wildlife on the floodplain include zebra, hippo, warthog, greater kudu, waterbuck, and eland.

Wildlife Highlights

Elephants are the most reliable show-stealers in Mana Pools. Marvel at long-tusked bulls as they raise themselves on their hind legs and stretch out their trunks to shake or pluck nutritious pods off winter thorn trees. Lions are the most common carnivore, but the park also supports a high density of leopards and several packs of African wild dogs. Fearless honey badgers, usually extremely secretive, are sometimes spotted at night around camps.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

From June to October, during the middle and end of the Dry season, is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. Wildlife is easier to spot at this time because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the pools on the floodplains of the Zambezi River. Many roads become impassable during the rains (November to March) and may remain so well into April.

General Wheather

Mana Pools National Park has a very warm climate. October to March is the hottest time of the year, while April to September is cooler. The Dry season (winter), from April to October, brings pleasant weather and a bright, clear sky. Downpours followed by sunny skies are typical of the Wet season (summer), from November to March.

Dry Season –April to October – Winter

April – This is the beginning of the Dry season. It cools down, particularly at night, and the rains occur with less and less frequency.
May, June, July, August & September – These months are typically the coldest and driest. Daytime temperatures are around 28°C/82°F (slightly higher in September), but the temperature hovers around 14°C/57°F at night and during the early mornings. Warm clothes are essential for early morning game drives.
October – The heat reaches its peak in October, with average temperatures of 35°C/95°F during the day (but frequently rising to well over 40°C/104°F). It is still usually dry throughout the month, though the first rains occasionally take place in late October.

Wet Season –November to March – Summer

November – The first weeks of November, like October, tend to be oppressively hot and dry. The first rains usually fall during November, bringing a much-needed break from the heat. Even if the rains start early in the month, however, it is unusual for them to occur every day. But it often feels uncomfortably hot due to the high temperatures (35°C/95°F on average) and increased humidity.
December, January & February – During the wettest months, it rarely rains all day, but afternoon showers are common. Daytime temperatures average 33°C/91°F, while night and early morning average 18°C/64°F.
March – The rains decrease. Temperatures average between 33°C/91°F and 17°C/63°F.

Prons

Top wildlife viewing with four of the Big Five present (no rhino)
Some of the best guides in Africa work here
Guided walking safaris and canoeing safaris are a major attraction
Unguided walking is permitted, though not necessarily recommended
Excellent river fishing
Great birding destination

Cons

Less accessible than some other parks in Zimbabwe (4WD vehicle is essential)
The limited road network may frustrate those who prefer game drives to walking
Difficult to visit in the Wet season

How To Get There

The remote Mana Pools National Park is located in the northern tip of the country, 388km/241mi from Harare and far from any human settlement. The drive takes about 7 to 8 hours*. The park is mostly off-limits to vehicles during the Wet season (November to March), when most camps and lodges close. Roads might still be difficult in April, and some lodges only reopen at the beginning of May. Travel by 4WD vehicle is essential.

Most people fly to Mana Pools, even though there are no scheduled flights there. The most popular option is to book a scheduled flight from Harare, Bulawayo or Victoria Falls to Kariba, then a charter flight to Mana Main, Mana West or Chikenwa airstrip, depending on the location of your lodge or camp. Charters can be booked from other destinations in Zimbabwe.

You will most likely enter the country via Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), a short distance from the town of Victoria Falls. Alternatively, you can fly to Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) and drive from there. Your tour package will likely include transportation throughout Zimbabwe, as arranged by your tour operator.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), and what tickets would cost.