Mana Pools National Park

Amazing

Mana pools has always been a special place for me to visit, the scenery is unique and the wildlife is amazing . The rare beauty of mana pools is what makes me want to visit again.

Mana Magic

Mana Poolsis is one of the most interesting and wonderful reserves in Southern Africa. I have now been 3 times and each time has been magical in it own way. Mana Pools is not easy to get too, it is a 4 hour drive from Harare, if you have to take everything you need with you and unless you are staying in private camp the accommodation is basic, but adequate. However all these things add to the charm on Mana. It is also one of the few reserves you are able to walk around without a guide. This is an amazing experience, if you feel up to doing this and are careful. To me it is not only one of the best reservesit is my favourite place in the world!

Very scenic, diversity of wildlife in a fantastic setting, good guides

Magical Mana Pools

This great flood plain of the Zambezi is 2500 square kilometres , dotted with pools, islands and sandbanks. It is home to four of the Big Five ( didn't see any rhino)...it is an excellent area for anyone wanting to see big game. Elephant and buffalo herds are a plenty, and there is very good opportunity to see lion. It is home to endangered wild dogs - and their natural enemy, the hyena. And in the many small "pans" of receding water swarm hippos and Nile crocodiles. The area is filled with stretches of mahogany and acacia trees, interspersed with the odd and prehistoric looking baobab trees.
I made the trip in September - and it was hot (36 degrees Celsius), dusty and dry....but game drives and wildlife viewing was rewarding, with the ever dwindling water sources bringing together herbivores and the great predators. There are quite a few lodges and safari groups that do business in the area, and the camp that I stayed in was quite good, boasting twin occupancy tents with en suite facilities, and hot water. The food was fabulous! Home away from home! It pays to have a good guide who knows the local area, something I would whole heartedly recommend!
I am not a birder, but even in the dry summer season I was there, there was no shortage of fish eagles, herons, exquisite lilac breasted rollers, the odd looking hamerkop... I did see the odd martial eagle. Night time game drives are not permitted within the Mana conservation area.

The Garden of Eden is in Africa

I spent four nights at Mana Pools, in a tented camp overlooking the Zambezi River. During the day we had wild elephants roaming amongst the tents and down on the river flats. Sometimes they swam to mid-stream islands for better grazing. Impala, waterbuck and other smaller gazelles wandered in herds through the bush. At night you could hear the lions roar as they called to each other. Huge herds of buffalo emerged from the bush to drink at the water's edge. And of course the hippos wallowed in the river, or dragged themselves out to graze on the soft grass of the floodplain. All is as one, here in this Garden of Eden.

Sunsets over the river were each unique and beautiful, perfect for sundowners. Just outside the Park you could do night safaris: we saw a lion stalking a herd of buffalo, only to be chased off. One night we came across a male lion on the track. From a handful of metres away we watched as he lowered his chest to the ground and let out a series of roars that took our breath away.

During the heat of the day, in camp, you could sit and waste a lazy couple of hours watching the animals wander by the river on a scene that feels older than time. Everyone should go at least once to Mana Pools. And after you've been once you will want to go again.

An unforgettable experience!

I have visited Mana Pools about eight times when I was resident In Zimbabwe. This time we stayed with Goliath Safaris lead by the renowned guide Stretch Ferreira. Probably the best guide one can have at wonderful Mana Pools. Walking safaris are the best way to explore and to get a real feel of bush life and we came very close to elephants and lions.

Seemed fairly quiet re the wild animals even though we saw lion, hippos, kudu and elephant. There was an elusive leopard around but we didn't get to see her.

There is no place like it in any country

I think that Mana Pools is one of the most places in the world. There are plenty of elephants,hippos, and buffalo. I've seen wild dogs on both of my visits. I've also seen lions.and plenty of antelope. The canoe trip is really beautiful.

Excellent experience! Lots of animals.

- I would always recommend this park.
- I would not come again at the end of October. It was too hot!
- A park with a lot of things to do.