Mana Pools National Park

Overview

Mana Pools National Park is a renowned World Heritage Site and one of Zimbabwe's most remote and least developed safari parks. 

Located in the Mashonaland West Province and nestled between the glorious Zambezi River to the North and the Zambezi Escarpment to the South, it encompasses 848 square miles (2,196 km²) of untouched nature to explore. 

Its diverse landscape ranges from refreshing rivers, islands, sandbanks, and pools to lush acacia forests, wild figs, mahogany, baobabs, and vast, open floodplains. This creates incredible scenery while ensuring a diverse habitat for various animals. 

"Mana" comes from the Shona word for "four," referring to the park's four large pools: Main/Mana, Chine, Chisambuk, and Long. These are remnants of an ancient oxbow lake carved out by the mighty Zambezi River, which is why the park earned its UNESCO World Heritage Site status. 

When Unesco inscribed the area in 1984, it was one of the most important refuges for black rhinos in Africa, housing around 500 animals. 

Poaching reduced these to just ten remaining rhinos in 1994, and they were removed for safekeeping to an intensive protection zone within Matusadona National Park.

This park is unique because only a small area is covered by a road network. Thus, 70% of the region can be traversed by foot or canoe only, offering a more intimate and immersive wildlife experience. 

Walking is the best way to get the most out of the park's safari experience. It immerses you in the surroundings, engages all your senses, and discovers secret spots accessible by foot while venturing off the beaten track for more up-close wildlife encounters. 

Two more exciting and unparalleled options are Traveling Mana's waterways on a river cruise or canoe. These options enable you to cover the park's entire length, savoring the moment on the pristine Zambezi River. 

This thrilling and breathtaking experience will transport you between Mana Pools and Lower Zambezi. You will paddle on the river, teeming with crocodiles and hippos bobbing on the surface and viewing the abundance of wildlife quenching their thirst at the banks of the river.