Mana Pools National Park National Park

Address: Mana Pools National Park, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe (along the lower Zambezi)

Website: http://www.zimparks.org/

Hours: Park open year-round; operations vary by concession

Admission: Park entry and conservation fees apply; many safaris and walking safaris are sold as package rates (contact ZimParks or operators)

Mana Pools National Park lies on the southern banks of the Zambezi River in northern Zimbabwe and forms part of a larger wilderness complex along the river. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its intact floodplain ecosystem.

The park is known for riverside wildlife viewing with large aggregations of elephant, hippo and crocodile around the Zambezi and its oxbow pools. It is one of the few places in Zimbabwe where guided walking safaris and canoe trips on the river are common, offering close encounters with large mammals and diverse birdlife.

Protected status for the area predates its World Heritage listing; the landscape and its floodplain have been managed for conservation during the 20th century to limit settlement and hunting pressure. Management has focused on maintaining natural flood regimes and wildlife populations along the Zambezi.

Located in northern Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River floodplain, the park sits opposite the riverine border with Zambia and is reached from towns on Zimbabwe’s central plateau via rough roads and river access points.

• Best time to visit: Dry season from May to October concentrates game along water and is the best time for walking and canoe safaris.
• Conservation status: UNESCO World Heritage Site for its intact riverine and floodplain ecosystem, supporting large concentrations of elephant and hippo.

What to See#

• Zambezi floodplain: A floodplain along the lower Zambezi River containing a series of oxbow lakes and seasonal pools that concentrate wildlife during the dry season, with areas accessible by vehicle and on foot.

Mana Pools is remote; most visitors fly charter flights into one of the park’s airstrips (e.g., Ruckomechi, Kanga) from Harare or take a long drive north on the A1 and then dirt roads. Many safaris are organized by lodges and tour operators who provide transfers.

• Book a walking safari with an experienced guide - Mana Pools' low-lying plains and riverine habitat make it one of Africa's best walking safari destinations.
• Drive cautiously on dirt roads; floodplains can be soft after rains and require high-clearance vehicles.
• Bring binoculars and a long lens-the park's best wildlife viewing happens along the Zambezi Riverbanks.
• Respect campsite and guide instructions; hippos and elephants can be surprisingly close.