Mana Pools National Park
Located in Zimbabwe's remote and wild northern region, Mana Pools combines the Zambezi River, flood plains and steep hills of the escarpment into one of Africa's most beautiful and awe-inspiring national parks teeming with both wildlife and birdlife alike.
Mana Pool is home to a remarkable concentration of wildlife, including; lion elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and hyena, to mention only a few.
Mana Pools National Park Facts
- Size: 2 200 kms
- Location: Northern Zimbabwe
- When to visit the park: The dry season (winter and autumn)
- Altitude: varies between 350 to 1 200 metres above sea level
- Accommodation: Lodges In Mana Pools
Where is Mana Pools National Park located?
Located in the far northern region of Zimbabwe, the park is found between the Zambezi River and the Zambezi Escarpment opposite Zambia and the Lower Zambezi National Park.
To the east of the Park is Lake Kariba and to the west is Cahora Bassa dam in Mozambique, all connected by the Zambezi River.
Click on this link to view for your self where Mana Pools is located on a Google Map; Google Maps - Mana Pools National Park
Best Time to Visit Mana Pools National Park?
The dry season is the best time to visit; when the summer rains start, a vast area of Mana Pools and surrounding safari areas become inaccessible, making accessing certain lodges and regions by vehicle impossible.
A few lodges and camps do, however, remain open year-round as they are accessible via boat and vehicle.
Note; November is a month known for incredibly high temperatures in the Zambezi Valley; we would suggest avoiding this period if you can.
Information On Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park comprises 2 200 km² of some of the wildest and remotest regions in Southern Africa. Combine the National Park with surrounding 'safaris areas' (Sapi Safari Area (1 180 km²) and Chewore Safari Area (3 390 km²) and all of a sudden one gets to realise just how big the total wildlife area actually is, 6 770 km² in total.
This total area combined is a 'UNESCO World Heritage site'.
Just as a little fun exploring experiment, click on the above Google map links, change it to 'satellite view', now zoom in and out of the area. Note how there are no towns, no roads, and no farms; this is what wildest Africa at its best looks like.
Mana Pools and the Lower Zambezi National Park are within our top 5 best wildlife destinations to visit in Africa; the Zambezi Valley is truly spectacular.
Main Attractions Of Mana Pools National Park
- Canoeing safaris
- Boating excursions
- Tiger fishing
- Birding and wildlife photography
- Predators
- Huge herds of elephants
- Large pods of hippos
- Stunning lodges and camps
- Kanga Camp
Kanga Camp, a seasonal safari camp located in a completely untouched wilderness paradise, offers guests a remote and wild safari experience overlooking the Kanga Pan in the Mana Pools National Park.
A small and intimate safari experience awaits all that visit with game drives and walking safaris.
- Camp Hwange
Camp Hwange, located in a private concession within the Sinamatella area of Hwange National Park, is known worldwide for its wildlife and birdlife sightings, one of the best safari destinations and ranks among the very best Southern Africa has to offer.
Wildlife sightings at the safari lodge overlooking a waterhole are exceptional year-round.
- Singita Malilangwe House
Singita Malilangwe House, with five luxuriously appointed bedrooms, is the ideal destination for a small group of friends or family seeking the ultimate privacy.
Malilangwe House is perched on a sandstone ridge with views of the surrounding landscape and Malilangwe Dam below.
- Gorges Lodge
Gorges Lodge and Little Gorges lodge are built on top 200-metre high cliffs above the Zambezi River below, offering guests a more idyllic and peaceful experience away from the busyness surrounding the Falls and the town.
One of the betters safari lodges for those looking for a bit more of a safari experience.
- Little Ruckomechi Camp
Set on the banks of the iconic Zambezi River in the Mana Pools surrounded by high concentrations of wildlife and birdlife.
Little Ruckomechi Camp, is the perfect safari lodge option for offers seeking the ultimate in luxury and privacy when visiting the Mana Pools National Park.
- Ingwe Pan Camp
Ingwe Pan Camp is a short 30-minute game drive away from both the Zambezi River and the famed Mana floodplain.
The camp is located on the edge of a secluded pan (namely Ingwe Pan) surrounded by pristine bushveld and amazing wildlife, all within the Mana Pools National Park.