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Mana Pools National Park

A rugged UNESCO world heritage site

Situated in the northern region of Zimbabwe, on the southern banks of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools National Park will leave you breathless with its beauty. A paradise for walking and canoeing safaris, Mana Pools is a wildlife-rich, biodiverse wonderland that will delight at every turn.

You can expect to spot hippopotamus, crocodile, elephants and a wonderful array of aquatic birds within this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there’s a good chance of seeing lioness’ hunting around waterholes, where prey are seemingly easy pickings.

The landscapes are beautiful too, dotted with acacia trees, whose shade becomes vital to the parks’ more than 12,000-strong elephant population in the dry season, as well as a sprinkling of vibrant plant life. Far away from any human settlement, you’ll relish the feeling of remoteness here. Surrounded only by extreme wilderness, and if you visit in winter, you’ll find yourself exploring amongst the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa. An experience for which words can do no justice.

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Magnetic Mana Pools

Here are some unique experiences exclusive to this incredible national park

  • Wild Dogs at Mana Pools

    Mana Pools National Park, on the Lower Zambezi is the ideal place to sight packs of African wild dogs particularly during the dry season (May and November), when water levels fall.
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  • Unique Elephants

    Ever witnessed an elephant standing on their hind legs to reach for a snack? At Mana Pools you’re most likely to see this incredible sighting. Especially from Boswell, the popular ellie.
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  • Kanga Pan Wildlife

    Located on the majestic Lower Zambezi River, the Kanga Pan provides a regular watering point for a wide range of wildlife and birds, including elephants and wild dogs, fish eagles and storks.
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  • Walking Safaris

    70% of Mana Pools National Park is traversable by foot making it an explorers paradise. Untouched by the bustling city life, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the remoteness.
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  • Photography Safari

    Mana Pools is every photographer’s dream destination. All you need to do is pack your camera and watch nature unfold right before your eyes in this pristine wilderness.
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Our Camps in Mana Pools

Wildlife

Elephant, eland, buffalo, impala, waterbuck, baboons, monkeys, zebra, warthog and hippo are some of the larger herbivores to be seen regularly on the river terraces as they come out to eat the fallen albida fruit. Lions, leopards, spotted hyena, wild dogs and cheetah are present in the area. Birding is also phenomenal in this region.

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Seasonal Information

Find out the best times to visit the Mana Pools National Park.

  • Green season
  • Mid season
  • High season
All of our camps in Mana Pools are closed for the rainy season. January – March and the whole of December, with the exception of Nyamatusi which remains open during December.
Plan your Safari
All of our camps in Mana Pools are closed for the rainy season. January – March and the whole of December, with the exception of Nyamatusi which remains open during December.
Plan your Safari
All of our camps in Mana Pools are closed for the rainy season. January – March and the whole of December, with the exception of Nyamatusi which remains open during December.
Plan your Safari
Kanga Camp, Zambezi Expeditions, Nyamatusi Camp & Nyamatusi Mahogany open for the season. The vegetation is still very green and thick after the rainy season and there is still a lot of surface water around. This means the animals are not as dependent on the Kanga waterhole as during the dry season. This time of the year is one of the best for birding and sighting the smaller species like insects and butterflies as well as walking safaris and experiencing the area on foot but it is limited to more open areas for big game approaches. At this time of the year, Kanga is best combined with Zambezi Expeditions or the Nyamatusi Camps, based on the river to get the full Mana Pools experience. Temperatures can be high during the day and a little cooler in the evenings and mornings on the early game drives, so a light fleece is advisable.
Plan your Safari
As things start to dry out the Kanga Pan becomes more and more popular with animals. This is still a great time of the year for birders and for those looking for a little more adventure exploring the land on foot. Combine Kanga Camp with Zambezi Expeditions the Nyamatusi Camps to get the full experience. Wild dogs often start to den on the concession, but getting close to the den site is not allowed as it may cause the stress which may cause them to move the site. Temperatures start to drop at night and in the mornings, but can still be warm during the day. A light fleece is advisable.
Plan your Safari
The dry season starts to set in and the surface water starts to dry up which means more activity in front of camp at the permanent waterhole. The bush is still quite thick, but it is a great time for walking. It is advised to combine Kanga with Zambezi Expeditions so that guests are getting the complete Mana Pools experience.
Plan your Safari
As we move deeper into the dry season we start to see more and more herds of elephants in search of water at the Kanga Pan as well as moving down to the Zambezi River, near Zambezi Expeditions. Night temperatures start to drop more, so warmer evening clothing is recommended. Days are still very warm, and with the bush beginning to thin out, spotting on game drives becomes slightly easier. Dry season setting in nicely. The waterhole is starting to fill up with animals.
Plan your Safari
Temperatures start to become more extreme, with cold evenings and warm days. The dry season has settled in well at this stage, therefore as water has become more scare you will be able to spot more species around the watering holes. The bush has thinned out more, so walking safaris and game drives are great, with greater visibility.
Plan your Safari
Competition for water begins to intensify and the famous Armchair Safari, at the Kanga Pan, really starts to become a highlight. Here you will spot several species visiting the pan, as it is the only water source for many kilometres around. Evenings are still cold and days are warm, so packing for varying temperatures is advisable. It is advised to combine Kanga with Zambezi Expeditions to see the mighty Zambezi, and the wildlife teaming nearby, as it is the major water source. Combining the two will ensure you are getting the complete Mana Pools experience.
Plan your Safari
October is the peak of the dry season, with water sources being at their most scarce. Wildlife travel for many kilometres to reach the Kanga Pan. Whilst experiencing our famous Armchair Safari, it is not uncommon to see large herds of elephant, lion, baboons, various herds of antelope, fish eagles and a huge variety of bird life, buffalos and leopards visiting the pan within the space of a few hours. Great for those with an interest in Botany as most bushes, trees are in some stage of flowering.
Plan your Safari
The rains begin to come in towards the latter half of the month, with brief spectacular afternoon thunderstorms, cooling temperatures nicely. Before that the landscape is very dry and wildlife sightings on the armchair safari at Kanga Pan are unparalleled. Day time temperatures are still very hot, with warm evenings. Combining Zambezi Expeditions and Kanga Camp will provide a beautiful contrast in landscape, with the Zambezi River providing sufficient water for wildlife on its banks. Great for those with an interest in Botany as most bushes, trees are in some stage of flowering.
Plan your Safari
All of our camps in Mana Pools are closed for the rainy season. January – March and the whole of December, with the exception of Nyamatusi which remains open during December.
Plan your Safari