The Zambezi River’s variety of spectacular scenery includes the impressive Victoria Falls, while downriver Mana Pools National Park and its private concessions are simply renowned for superb wildlife viewing and famous for authentic experiences and walking and canoeing safaris.
In the north of Zimbabwe, on the south bank of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools National Park is simply a beautiful park with stunning views of the Zambian escarpment across the mighty Zambezi and behind which the sun sets. All our trips to Mana Pools are fly-in safari’s as the terrain in this area is rugged and the area quite isolated giving a real feel of remoteness. Mana Pools can only be visited in the dry season; between April and November as the sticky black-cotton soil in the area means access is almost impossible in the rainy season.
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 wild dogs or lioness’ hunting around waterholes.
The landscape is dotted with acacia, ebony and mahogany trees, whose shade gives a stunning light and becomes vital to the parks’ huge elephant population in the dry season, as well as a sprinkling of vibrant plant life.
Mana means four – after the four large pools in the park, which consists of national park areas and private concessions. The activities do vary between camps and area; for example, motorised boats and fishing are not possible from the national park; while the camps in private areas can take you to test your skills against the ferocious tiger fish inhabiting the Zambezi while watching (or being watched by!) the resident hippos, ellies and crocs!
The real draw in this area is the ability to go on walking safaris with the Continent’s best trained guides; Zimbabwean Pro guide's undergo what is arguably Africa’s toughest, most rigorous guiding regime to receive their coveted guiding status. In Zimbabwe, there is also a separate canoeing guide status for guides offering canoeing safaris, and certain camps will offer canoeing on the Zambezi...eye to eye with the crocs or the hippos...!
If you’re dreaming of Africa, your journey has already begun!
