Zimbabwe'sMana Pools National Park
Help Me PlanMana Pools National Park Destination Guide
Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the Zambezi, protects 219,600 hectares of wild floodplains, woodland, and the iconic four pools. Access is seasonal; during the dry months wildlife concentrates along the river, making walking and canoe safaris exceptional. Lush summer rains transform the valley and bring rewarding birding.
Getting to Mana Pools National Park
By Air: Mana Pools National Park lies roughly 280 km from Harare and is typically accessed by charter flight from Victoria Falls or Harare. From Harare, the flight is about 1 hour 30 minutes; from Victoria Falls, about 2 hours 30 minutes. Overland from Harare, the drive is roughly 6–8 hours, so flights are recommended to maximize time on safari.
Weather & Best Time To Visit
Access is limited or closed to vehicles during the rainy season, roughly from mid/late November to March, when drenched floodplains hinder travel. As conditions dry from April, the valley greens up. Wildlife viewing is strongest from July to October, while late spring and summer bring intense heat and excellent birdwatching.
Visitors enjoy close encounters with well-known mammals like elephant and wild dog and the sweeping beauty of the Zambezi River—often from intimate safari lodges on its banks or from guided canoe trails during the dry season.
Experiences to Savor
The park offers distinct experiences, many of them unique to Mana Pools. These sights and adventures are considered iconic in this stunning wilderness area.
Canoe Adventures
You’re in a small canoe on the broad Zambezi. A few meters away, a hippopotamus surfaces, watches, and slips under again. Below, tigerfish cruise while crocodile bask along sandy banks. The river delivers immersive, guided excitement without equal.
Armchair Game Viewing
From the comfort of a 4x4, follow gravel roads to view a pride of lion resting in the shade. Around the pools you might see elephant, antelope, and attentive predators sharing the floodplain mosaic.
