Mana Pools National Park
Which Month Is Best For Visiting Mana Pools National Park?
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park
  • When To Visit Mana Pools National Park

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
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Mana Pools Lodges Map
Popular Zimbabwe Lodges
  • Little Ruckomechi
    Set on the banks of the iconic Zambezi River surrounded by high concentrations of wildlife and birdlife, Little Ruckomechi, is the perfect safari 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, located on the edge of a secluded pan surrounded by pristine bushveld and amazing wildlife, all within the Mana Pools National Park.
  • Ilala Lodge
    The perfect base for exploring all that Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River and the Zambezi National Park has to offer, 73 spacious rooms and suites all offer up the ultimate in luxury and comfort. The ideal options for honeymoons, couples and families alike.
  • Little Makalolo Camp
    Little Makalolo is actually a pleasant 6 roomed tented camp and also one of the handful of camps situated inside of the Hwange National Park, which in turn provides solitude for visitors who appreciate small camps as well as a feeling of remoteness.
  • Ruckomechi Camp
    On the western boundary of the Mana Pools National Park, nestled in a large grove of Acacia and Mahogany trees, Ruckomechi Camp overlooks the Zambezi River with a superb view of the mountains of Africa's Great Rift Valley Escarpment.
  • Old Drift Lodge
    Old Drift Lodge lies 7 kilometres upstream of the iconic Victoria Falls on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, an accommodation option that offers luxury, location and the best of what the region has to offer.