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

Somalisa Expeditions Camp

Somalisa Expeditions Camp is the perfect destination for those who are purely interested in nothing else other than the surrounding wildlife and birdlife, photography and that authentic traditional safari experience that only Hwange can offer.
Somalisa Expeditions Camp
Camelthorn Lodge

Camelthorn Lodge located in a pristine acacia forest near the southern edge of the famed Ngamo Plains just outside the Hwange National Park. Safari activities in which one can partake, including day and night drives, horseback safaris and the exciting "pump run" all-day game drive.
Camelthorn Lodge
Khayelitshe House

Khayelitshe House is an exclusive use option best suited for a small group of friends or family on safari together located just outside the Matobos National Park boundary, with easy access into the national park and all of her attractions.
Khayelitshe House
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is located 4km from Victoria Falls, one of Southern Africa's must-visit destinations with excellent accommodation options and most importantly, access to Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and the Zambezi National Park.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

Along with a strong focus on complete relaxation, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge features the natural wonders of Kariba. Having the Zambezi escarpment as its backdrop, the lodge overlooks the foreshore below and the vastness associated with Lake Kariba.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Nehimba Lodge

Nehimba Lodge within its own private safari concession in the Hwange National Park offers guest exceptional wildlife and birdlife sightings year-round. Evenings at the lodge can be most entertaining with close encounters with elephants should one be lucky enough.
Nehimba Lodge