Mana Pools National Park

wonderful - it was a dream

I enjoyed this stay so much - everything was perfect - I loved this stay and one day I'll return to see the Sambesi river again, the wildlife and the kanutrip, the bushwalk - everything ....great - the Service was excellent -

So much wild life and amazing birds. Canoed down the Zambezi for thee days - experience of a life time (actual my second time and can't wait to go again)

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.

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.

There is no place like it in any country

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.

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.

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

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!

Mana Magic!

Mana Pools is one Africa's most magical wilderness areas. It is a United Nations World Heritage Site for good reason. Here the Zambezi river gives life to an incredible diversity of flora and fauna, all of which rely on one another to maintain a healthy and diverse ecosystem. The tall Acacia albida trees that line the river provide much needed shade from the hot sun and their apple ring shaped pods, rich in protein, are highly sought after by elephants, who will even stand on their hind legs to reach them, a truly amazing site to behold! Wild dogs exist here in large packs, lions and leopards are abundant as are big herds of buffalo. The river is home to an incredible density of hippos that create a cacophony of sound, which lulls you to sleep at night a midst the haunting laugh of the spotted hyenas. Mana Pools is typically only accessible during the dry months of the year i.e. April to October. It is possible to get in by air, road and also on the river. Zimbabwean air charter companies have light aircraft that can access Mana Main, Dandawa or Chikwenya airstrips all within the vicinity of the national park. There is a dirt road into Mana Pools from the main Makuti-Chirundu tar road. Depending on whether this has been graded or not will determine how long this section takes. If it has not been graded for a while then the trip can take up to 4 hours due to severe corrugations. It is advisable to travel this road in a 4x4. There are only one or two companies that offer road transfers. Most people that drive in are self drivers. It is possible to canoe the river with a reputable canoeing company. Trips range from a few days up to nearly two weeks and this is determined by the stretch of river you run between Kariba dam wall and Kanyemba. A popular stretch is the 4 day, 3 night canoe trip from Chirundu to Mana Pools. Mana Pools is in a remote area of the country, which has meant that it has remained pristine, adding to its already renowned fame for excellent game viewing. A visit to this park is a must for any African wildlife lover.