Mana Pools National Park
As the Zambezi River travels down to the ocean after Victoria Falls, it flows first into Lake Kariba. A behemoth of a dam wall generates hydro-electrical power here, using the force of the trapped water, and marks the start of the Lower Zambezi Valley - home of the Mana Pools National Park.
Further on down, the river emerges from a deep gorge to spread across a flattened, fertile floodplain which is being methodically ground away to form pools and ox-bows. Ringed by the far distant blue hills of the escarpment, the area on Zimbabwe’s southern bank is known as Mana Pools National Park. Bursting with a profusion of birds and animals, especially during dry season from June to October, this is Zimbabwe’s second world heritage site.
Four main pools and several smaller pools are scattered along the river course and the cliffs hanging over the river and floodplains provide shelter to a large and varied wildlife population. Long Pool is the largest and extends some 6km in a west to east direction. Lovely big old trees, mainly faidherbia (used to be known as acacia albidia), provide a shady canopy with sparse undergrowth. This makes for easy walking and is one of the reasons why this area is perfect for walking safaris.
The park stretches across 2000km² of prime Zambezi riverfront vegetation, much of which is inaccessible except on foot and as a result is completely unspoilt. The landscape includes islands and sandbanks fringed by dense forests of baobabs and indigenous trees, as well as the rugged Zambezi escarpment. Aside from the excellent walking safaris in Mana, the river adds another dimension to any safari as it is ideal for canoe safaris ...
The national park is home to magnificent and enormous elephants that return year after year to the same places and are well known to the locals in the area. Big, beefy black buffalo are always about and predators like leopards, lions and cheetah are seen regularly. It is also a haven for Nile crocodiles and large hippo pods as well as several black rhino. Amongst the 380 bird species are the Nyasa lovebird, Livingstone’s flycatcher, white-collared pratincole, banded snake eagle and yellow spotted nicator.
In the south Chitake Springs is of vital importance to the interior of the park as the springs form a crucial source of water as the river systems dry up during the dry season. Wildlife congregate around this precious water resource and walking safaris to the area are intensely exciting and full of action. We recommend this for more experienced safari enthusiasts.
The park is open to cars only during the dry season and during the rainy season guests have to travel by foot or by boat. The best time to visit in terms of access and temperature is from May to early September. Late September to end of October is the best game viewing season but temperatures will be in excess of 38 degrees Celsius for most of this period.
Canoe safaris run year round and although we do offer combination caneoing/walking during the rainy season, access into the interior of the park is very limited from December to March.
There is an active campaign to protect Mana Pools from further development which could affect its status as a World Heritage Site and will definitely have a detrimental effect on visitor experiences. Help us save Mana Pools.
Our Recommended Tours
Lower Zambezi River - Chirundu to Mana Pools - 4 days/3 nights
Special price valid November to June (low season).
This semi-participatory canoe safari options begins and ends in Kariba (we can meet you in Lusaka and transfer you to Kariba); we recommend spending the night prior to trip departure in Kariba town. This is a self-contained safari. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. They are to a small extent participatory; however the guides do the cooking and washing up.
Mopane Canoe Safari
$ 705
Lower Zambezi River - Mana Pools to Chewore - 4 days/3 nights
Special price valid November to June (low season).
This semi-participatory canoe safari options begins and ends in Kariba (we can meet you in Lusaka and transfer you to Kariba); we recommend spending the night prior to trip departure in Kariba town. This is a self-contained safari. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. They are to a small extent participatory; however the guides do the cooking and washing up.
Lower Zambezi River - Kariba to Mana Pools National Park 6 days/5 nights
Special price valid November to June (low season period).
This semi-participatory canoe safari options begins and ends in Kariba (unless by other arrangement); we recommend spending the night prior to trip departure in Kariba town. This is a self-contained safari. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. They are to a small extent participatory; however the guides do the cooking and washing up.
Marula Canoe Safari
$ 980
Lower Zambezi River - Kariba to Chirundu - 3 days/2 nights
This semi-participatory canoe safari options begins and ends in Kariba (we can meet you in Lusaka and transfer you to Kariba at extra cost); we recommend spending the night prior to trip departure in Kariba town. This is a self-contained safari. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. They are to a small extent participatory; however the guides do the cooking and washing up.
Camp Zambezi
$ 1140
Mana Pools National Park - 4 days/3 nights
Special price valid from 15 April to 30th June and 1st to 15th Nov.
Camp Zambezi is a true bush camp without any electricity, no permanent structures, no plumbing or any other modern convenience and yet the camp is extremely comfortable with every need taken care of. A truly eco-friendly set-up, it is designed to be taken up and put down within a few hours leaving no trace of its presence in Mana Pools National Park and everything is recycled or taken out of the park - this is the real deal!
Canoe the Zambezi River, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe.
Lower Zambezi river - Chirundu to Kanyemba - 8 days/7 nights
This semi-participatory canoe safari begins and ends in Kariba (we can pick-up from Lusaka if needed). This is a self-contained safari and equipment and food is carried in the canoes. There is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. This is an adventure of a lifetime and will never be forgotten!
Special price valid November to June per person (low season).
Lower Zambezi - Kariba to Kanyemba - 10 days / 9 nights
Special price valid November to June per person (low season).
This semi-participatory canoe safari option begins and ends in Kariba (we can meet you in Lusaka and transfer you to Kariba); we recommend spending the night prior to trip departure in Kariba town. This is a self-contained safari. All equipment and food is carried in the canoes and there is no vehicle back up apart from pick-up and drop off. They are to a small extent participatory; however the guides do the cooking and washing up.
Upper Zambezi, Lake Kariba and Lower Zambezi River - 11 days/12 nights
Fish the Zambezi River for the re-knowned tiger fish, tilapia and even giant size cat fish while enjoying the full spectrum of big game and two world heritage sites at the same time.
This amazing fishing journey begins near Victoria Falls with private river frontage. Continue the journey to an island in the middle of Lake Kariba and enjoy fly fishing in addition to trawling for tiger fish. Finally ending on the Lower Zambezi to enjoy close-ups with elephants and other big game whilst chasing your final catches of the trip.
Victoria Falls, Hwange NP, Lake Kariba and Mana Pools NP - 12 days/11 nights
An authentic experience doing safaris the way they were intended - fun, filled with wildlife, far away from everywhere.
Three of Zimbabwe's prime game viewing areas are in the northern sector of the country and this safari includes all of them plus 2 World Heritage sites. You'll see all the big game species you'd expect to find in a safari of this quality including wild dog, elephant, lion, leopard, black rhino, buffalo and giraffe.
The rate is per person sharing and applies from May to mid-November during prime game viewing season.
Other Options
Zimbabwe Safari Spots
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