Mana Pools National Park lies on the south bank of the middle Zambezi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the wildest places in Africa. The name means four pools in the local Shona language, and the park takes its character from the river's floodplain, with sandbars, islands, oxbow pools and groves of albida, mahogany and fig trees.
Mana Pools is famed for walking safaris, and visitors can walk among elephants, buffalo, eland and impala with licensed guides. Elephants stand on their hind legs to reach albida pods, and lions, leopards and wild dogs are regularly seen. Canoe safaris on the Zambezi are another highlight.
The park is remote, and the camps are small and simple. It is open from May to October, and July to October is the best time.
Mana Pools has large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as eland, waterbuck, zebra, kudu, impala and bushbuck. Lion, leopard, spotted hyena and wild dog are seen, and hippos and crocodiles fill the river. The elephants are famous for standing on their hind legs to reach fruit and pods.
Chance of seeing
Our estimate for a stay of two or three nights with a good guide. Wildlife is wild, so nothing is promised.
Sandbanks, oxbow lagoons and groves of albida trees stretch along the Zambezi, with the Zambezi Escarpment rising behind. The light at sunrise and sunset is exceptional.
Activities here
Mana Pools is hot, with a wet season from November to March and a dry season from May to October. Daytime temperatures in September and October can reach the high 30s, with cool nights in June and July.
| Month | Day °C | Night °C | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 33 | 22 | 180 |
| Feb | 32 | 22 | 170 |
| Mar | 33 | 21 | 120 |
| Apr | 33 | 19 | 20 |
| May | 31 | 15 | 3 |
| Jun | 29 | 12 | 0 |
| Jul | 29 | 11 | 0 |
| Aug | 32 | 14 | 0 |
| Sep | 35 | 18 | 0 |
| Oct | 37 | 22 | 10 |
| Nov | 36 | 23 | 60 |
| Dec | 34 | 22 | 150 |
Approximate long-term averages. Higher ground is cooler, and forests can rain in any month.
May to October is dry. The pools dry up, and the animals concentrate along the river and on the floodplain, which gives superb viewing. September and October are very hot.
November to April is hot and wet, and most roads are impassable. The park is largely closed.
July to October is the best time, with the greatest numbers of animals on the floodplain. The park is open from May to October.
Best time to visit Jun to Oct
Mana Pools is reached by a charter flight from Harare or Victoria Falls, or by road from Harare in about six to eight hours, the last stretch on rough tracks. Camps arrange the airstrip transfers.
Park fees are included in our safaris. Please see the Zimbabwe page for visa details.
Mana Pools is a malaria area, so please take medical advice. The park is remote, and evacuation is by air. Bring sun protection, as it is very hot in the dry season.
Scenic AreaVictoria FallsThe smoke that thunders
National ParkHwange National ParkGreat elephant herds and painted dogs
Lake & IslandsLake Kariba and MatusadonaSunsets over a drowned forestOur take
“Our take”
Mana Pools is for travellers who want to walk. Stay at least three nights, and take the canoe trip in the cool of the morning.
Safaris from
US$3,572 per person
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