Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park, in northern Zimbabwe, is one of the largest game reserves in Africa.

Located in the Zambezi River Valley, south of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools National Park is a 2000 square kilometer park with four large pools (“Mana” is the Shona word for “four”) that were once tributaries of the river.

Animals of all kinds come to the park to quench their thirst in this water-rich environment.

Mana Pools National Park is home to one of the world’s largest elephant populations, as well as to monkeys, baboons, rhinos, hippos, lions, cheetahs, hyenas, Nile crocodiles, kudu, impala, zebra and other native African creatures.

The park contains around 400 species of bird, such as the banded snake eagle, the Nyasa lovebird, and Livingstone’s flycatcher, and a wide variety of plant life, including Faidherbia albida, wild fig, ebony and baobab trees.

Among the many types of fish in Mana Pools national park, there are tigerfish, lungfish and Cornish jack.

Visitors to the park can go fishing in the Zambezi.

During the dry season, wildlife in the park is most abundant, as animals migrate here to escape drought. The dry season lasts from June to October.

Long Pool is the largest pool.

When the river systems dry up, animals congregate around Chitake Springs.

Visitors may have the opportunity to assist in a lion tracking research project.

During the rainy season, from November to February, there is no access to the park by car. Visitors must travel on foot or by boat. Canoe and canoe/walking tours are available.

Until 1994, Mana Pools National Park was a refuge for the black rhino. Because of poaching, these had to be moved to other reserves.

To the south of the park is a steep escarpment.

Mana Pools National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.