Mana Pools National Park Luxury Safaris

Unlike many safari destinations in Southern Africa, Mana Pools is not open year-round. Most camps and lodges operate between mid-April and mid-November, with the majority of visitors travelling during the dry season from May to October.

The park becomes increasingly difficult to access during the summer rains, when roads can become impassable and many seasonal camps close. While wildlife remains in the area throughout the year, tourism infrastructure is largely focused around the dry season months.

For most travellers, we recommend visiting between June and October, when wildlife concentrations along the Zambezi River are at their highest and the full range of walking, canoeing and safari activities are available.

Mana Pools is at its best during the dry season from June to October, when wildlife concentrates around the Zambezi River, oxbow lakes and remaining water sources. As the season progresses, elephant, buffalo, hippo and predator sightings become increasingly consistent.

• September and October are particularly rewarding for wildlife viewing, with large numbers of animals gathering along the river and excellent opportunities for photography, walking safaris and canoe excursions.
• Earlier months such as June and July offer cooler temperatures and beautiful winterthorn forests, while August to October delivers the classic Mana Pools experience most travellers envision.

Mana Pools is widely regarded as one of Africa’s premier walking safari destinations, offering a level of immersion and wilderness that few parks can match.

• A Rich Walking Safari Heritage
  Zimbabwe has a long history of professional guiding, with Mana Pools playing an important role in the development of modern walking safaris.
• Exceptional Guide Training
  Zimbabwe’s professional guides are considered among the best in Africa, with rigorous qualifications and a strong focus on wildlife behaviour, tracking and safety.
• Relaxed Wildlife Behaviour
  Decades of responsible guiding have resulted in wildlife that is often more accustomed to people moving through the landscape on foot, creating extraordinary viewing opportunities.
• Non-Motorised Wilderness Areas
  Large sections of Mana Pools are designated non-motorised zones, where walking and canoeing take priority over vehicles, creating a quieter and more immersive safari experience.

Mana Pools is best known for its elephants, wild dogs and exceptional predator viewing along the Zambezi River. The park is particularly famous for its elephant bulls, some of which have become known for standing on their hind legs to reach the seed pods of ancient ana trees.

Visitors can also encounter lion, leopard, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and a wide variety of plains game. The combination of river, floodplain and woodland habitats supports a remarkable diversity of wildlife, particularly during the dry season when animals gather near permanent water.

We generally recommend a minimum of three nights in Mana Pools, although four to five nights is ideal if your schedule allows.

Unlike destinations focused purely on game drives, Mana Pools offers a range of activities including walking safaris, canoeing, wildlife photography and river-based experiences. Additional time allows you to experience the park in different ways and appreciate the slower rhythm that makes Mana Pools so special.

At Ubuntu Travel, we often recommend splitting your stay between different areas of the park, such as a riverfront camp and a more remote inland camp. This allows you to experience different landscapes, wildlife concentrations and activities, helping you appreciate the full diversity of Mana Pools rather than viewing it from a single location.