Cool Dry Winter
High28°C
Rain0mm
Clear skies, chilly mornings. Ideal walking conditions. Wild dog denning season begins.
Island, Mutsango, and Rukomechi photographs: public domain (Babakathy), via Wikimedia Commons. Zambezi River: ccried, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Mana Pools National Park
Walk among elephants, paddle the Zambezi, and experience Africa's most immersive wilderness on foot.
- Region
- Lower Zambezi Valley, Mashonaland Central
- Getting there
- Charter flight from Harare (~1.5 hrs) or Victoria Falls (~2.5 hrs) to park airstrips
- Known for
- UNESCO World Heritage Wilderness
01Walking Safari Capital
Why travel to Mana Pools National Park
"To walk in Mana Pools is to enter the bush on its own terms — no engine noise, no barrier, just you and the ancient rhythm of the floodplain."
Mana Pools is Zimbabwe's crown jewel of wilderness — a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984 and one of the last places in Africa where you can walk freely among big game on foot. The park takes its name from the four large pools (old oxbow lakes of the Zambezi) that dot its floodplain, drawing extraordinary concentrations of wildlife during the dry season beneath a cathedral-like canopy of winter thorn (Faidherbia albida) trees.
What sets Mana apart is the walking. This is one of very few parks on the continent where foot safaris are the primary way to experience the bush — not a supplement to game drives, but the main event. Add Zambezi canoe safaris that drift you past drinking elephants and basking crocodiles, world-class photography of elephants standing on their hind legs to reach acacia seed pods, and a raw, unfenced wilderness that sits directly across the river from Zambia's Lower Zambezi, and you have arguably the most immersive safari experience in Southern Africa.
What sets Mana apart is the walking. This is one of very few parks on the continent where foot safaris are the primary way to experience the bush — not a supplement to game drives, but the main event. Add Zambezi canoe safaris that drift you past drinking elephants and basking crocodiles, world-class photography of elephants standing on their hind legs to reach acacia seed pods, and a raw, unfenced wilderness that sits directly across the river from Zambia's Lower Zambezi, and you have arguably the most immersive safari experience in Southern Africa.
Base camp
Our operations desk in Victoria Falls handles transfers, permits and border crossings into Mana Pools National Park.
Talk to the desk02When to go
The seasons of Mana Pools National Park
Average daytime highs and monthly rainfall, so you can match the season to what you want to see.
Hot Dry Spring
High40°C
Rain2mm
Peak game viewing as animals crowd remaining water. Extreme heat but extraordinary concentrations.
Wet Season (Camps Closed)
High32°C
Rain130mm
Heavy rains flood the valley. Most camps close. Roads become impassable. The pools refill.
Autumn Reopening
High27°C
Rain10mm
Lush green landscapes, cooling nights. Camps reopen. Lower visitor numbers.
03Highlights
Don't leave Mana Pools National Park without
The landmarks and experiences that define Mana Pools National Park.
04Accommodation
Camps & lodges in Mana Pools National Park
Properties we have stayed at and trust, chosen for their location, guiding and hosting.
Tented Camp
Zambezi Expeditions Camp
Zambezi Expeditions Camp is a seasonal canvas retreat that sits directly on the banks of the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park. Because it has only six classic Meru-style tents for a maximum of twelve guests, it suits travellers looking for an intimate and highly focused wildlife experience. You will not find permanent concrete structures here, as the camp is designed to leave a light footprint and runs mostly on solar power. Each twin-bedded tent features large mesh windows to let the river breeze and night sounds drift through. You also have a private en-suite bathroom equipped with a flush toilet and an outdoor bucket shower, which the staff will fill with hot water whenever you ask. The heart of the camp is the shared mess tent and the open-air fire circle positioned right on the riverbank. This gives you a fantastic spot to sit back and watch elephants wander among the shady albida trees or spot hippos navigating the river channels. When the midday heat peaks, you can cool off in the small plunge pool. The entire camp focuses on the river and the surrounding floodplains, and you will spend your days exploring alongside some of the most experienced guides in Africa. Mana Pools is celebrated for its walking safaris. While stepping out on foot might sound daunting if you are new to it, going out with a licensed professional guide is a very calm and steady way to see the bush. You can track wild dogs on foot, take a guided canoe trip to paddle past elephants, or simply relax on the riverbank while fishing for tigerfish. This is a raw and beautiful part of Zimbabwe, and we love how well the team looks after you at every turn.
Check availability05Good to know
Questions, answered
Planning a trip to Mana Pools National Park?
Tell us your dates and travel style. Our team in Victoria Falls will put together a route, camps and transfers that work for you.
A minimum of three nights (four to five preferred) to experience walking safaris, a canoe trip, and game drives without feeling rushed. The remoteness rewards those who linger.
Yes — Mana Pools guides are among the most experienced in Africa. Professional armed guides are mandatory, and the flat floodplain terrain offers excellent visibility. Walking here is more a meditative, ecological experience than an adrenaline activity.
July to October for peak wildlife concentration around water. September–October is the absolute prime window (huge elephant herds, predator action at Chitake Springs) but also the hottest. June–August is cooler and ideal for walking.
They share the same wildlife corridor and Zambezi frontage. Mana Pools (Zimbabwe side) is more walking-focused and has a rawer, less-developed feel. Lower Zambezi (Zambia) has slightly more developed camp infrastructure and easier access via Livingstone.
Yes — the most common routing is a charter flight from Victoria Falls or Harare to one of the park's airstrips. Allow a full travel day each way. A Falls–Hwange–Mana Pools combination is one of Zimbabwe's finest itineraries.
Mana Pools is one of the last unfenced, unmanaged wilderness areas in Africa. Conservation efforts focus on anti-poaching patrols and maintaining the park's wild, undeveloped character as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zambezi Thunder strictly partners with operators dedicated to community empowerment, low-impact carbon footprinting, and long-term wildlife protection.