Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is one of Zimbabwe's most remote parks and it requires some time and effort to get there. The park is in a beautiful area in the north of Zimbabwe. Together with the Sapi Safari Area and Chewore Safari Area, it was added to the UNESCO list of world heritage sites in 1984.

The Mana Pools National Park is one of the few parks in Africa where walking is allowed, though not recommended.

The word 'Mana' means four and refers to the 4 pools near the park's headquarters. The 4 pools are Chine, Chisambik, Main and Long. The Long Pool is probably the best place to see wildlife. Animals such as antelope, elephant and zebra, come to drink there at dusk and you will most likely be able to see the crocodiles and hippos that live in the pool. Other animals that roam the area include lions, hyenas and more than 350 bird species.

The park covers an area in the floodplain of the Zambezi River, which turns into a broad expanse of lakes after the rainy season. The lakes then slowly dry up, leaving only the 4 forementioned ones.

You can reach the park by car or by canoe along the Zambezi River. Mana Pools National Park is open during the dry season from 1 May to 31 October only. There are several lodges and campsites throughout the park. Mana Pools National Park is about 250 km northwest of Harare.

The park is contiguous with Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park on the other side of the Zambezi River. The larger UNESCO area is contiguous with the Urungwe Safari Area, the Dande Safari Area and the Doma Safari Area.

Hotels in Mana Pools National Park

Images

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