This UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site is one of Zimbabwe’s most famous parks. ‘Mana’ means four in the local Zimbabwean language Shona, and this applies to the four large pools inland from the Zambezi River. The vegetation of Faidherbia albida woodlands on the old river terraces gives a unique look to the area and a surreal light filters through the trees giving Mana Pools its distinctive cathedral-like atmosphere. When exploring the park, you will see a great variety of birds, crocodiles, hippos and elephants, and if you are really lucky you might spot a cheetah or the rare civet. Mana Pools is a truly remote park, located in the north, far from any major town or settlement – 388 km from Harare.
‘MAGICAL MANA’
Wildlife visibility: It is easy to see the animals besides the river and floodplains. Large herds of elephants, hippos and Nile crocodiles meet at sunrise in the Long Pool, which extends for about 6km in an easterly to westerly direction. The thin vegetation will make it easy to spot many animals. It is also one of the only parks in Africa where you can walk without a guide.
The beauty: Mana Pools is remotely beautiful and a home to any photographer. The view of the baobab trees, floodplains and its pools are a sight that you will forever cherish. The place is so pure and heavenly and you will fall in love with the untouched wilderness. It rarely ever gets crowded and you can often have the riverine wilderness on the Zambezi River to yourself. Chitake springs are a true hidden gem on the southern part of the park, where water flows from the ground and up to 1km in any otherwise dry riverbed. A sight for sore eyes and even more crucial to hundreds of thousands of animals that rely on it for survival during the hot and dry season when all other waterholes have dried up.
Walking safari: The park is known to be the best place in Africa to spot the endangered wild dog. Great sightings of the lion and leopard will make the walking exciting and scary at the same time. It is your chance to get up close with the big game. You can also face your fears and trek the lions with one of the best professional guides in Africa. It’s not uncommon to spot a 500-herd of impala or buffalo during a walk. Once you see jackals and white backed vultures, prepare to see a kill near you! If you are lucky, you will encounter Boswell, the famous bull elephant with unique feeding habits. He stands on his two hind legs to reach for the pods that no other ellie can feed on.
Canoeing safari: The safari is more exciting and the best way to appreciate the beauty of the park. Paddling along the Zambezi River for days, seeing pods of hippos and other animals at the banks will give a world-class wildlife experience. Camping under stars on the virgin Islands will make the whole experience wild and unique.
Mana Pools Game Count: The unique activity is offered at Mana Pools in September. The game counts involve static counts at waterholes and transect counts across the floodplains close to the full moon in September. Static counts set up camp and work in shifts 24/7, counting every animal and activity that takes place over the 3-day period. Transect counts walks along transect lines, using a custom GPS mapping tool and record every animal they encounter, including any unusual activity such as a limping lion, destroyed baobab trees. The groups are typically in threes or fours and are always accompanied by an armed ranger. All the information compiled is fed into a bigger database that is analysed and presented in the form of a report by Wildlife Environment Zimbabwe in collaboration with the University of Zimbabwe Ecology department.
WHEN SHOULD I VISIT MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARKS?
The best time to visit is during the dry season (June to October) although September and October are the ultimate best months. At this time the vegetation is dry allowing you to spot more animals making the wildlife experience meaningful, however, temperatures are also at their highest during these months and so it is very very hot. A number of the roads are closed during the rainy season (November-April) as they usually get destroyed by the rains. You will need a 4×4 vehicle, with high clearance in order to access the roads that tend to be sandy and corrugated depending on the time of year you travel.
HOW DO I GET TO MANA POOLS FROM HARARE?
You need to leave Harare early so that you cross the first boom gate before 2pm because no vehicle is allowed to enter after 2pm since the Park itself closes at 6pm – night driving is not allowed inside the park.
There are private charter planes that you can book either from outside the country or within Zimbabwe.
WHERE TO STAY
Animals such as hyenas visit your campsite at night as most campsites are unfenced. Mana Pools gives you the best wildlife experience during the day and night. The Nyamepi Campsite is close to the National Parks offices and provides the most divine view of the river and comes at a bargain $50-$75 per person. If you are a group, you can choose to stay at the more remote camps, completely cut off from the rest of the world. It goes without saying that you should keep all your valuables locked away and do not leave food lying around as the monkeys will have a field day.
If you want something more luxurious, the Kanga Camp and Mana Pools Safari Lodge has some of the best accommodation and fantastic views of the animals. You will need $120-$350 to experience the wilderness and all it has to offer.
If you are into experiencing the ultimate safari, search no further because Mana Pools is what you have been looking for. Book your tour with Tiritose Sustainable Travel to experience nature and its entire splendour.
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