Mana Pools

Mana Pools National Park lies in the northern part of Zimbabwe, and on the southern side of the Zambezi river. After Victoria Falls, the mighty Zambezi flows from Lake Kariba through a huge rift in the earth’s crust: the Lower Zambezi Valley, marking the border with Zambia.

A small park of just 2,190km², Mana Pools National Park is part of a larger Parks and Wildlife Estate – from the Kariba Dam in the west, to the Mozambique border in the east – the wildlife moves freely in this area and northwards into Zambia.

Over the millennia, the Zambezi has created islands, channels and sandbanks in the valley, and as it changes its course northwards small ox-bow lakes have formed. The name “Mana” means four in the local Shona language, as a reference to the four pools situated in the park. The park is home to a wide range of mammals, including hippo, crocodile, elephant plus a wide variety of aquatic birds. Activities include good fishing, caneoing, game drives, plus it's one of Africa's best areas for walking safaris.

Mana Pools National Park has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984; before Victoria Falls, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the Khami Ruins, and Matobo Hills National Park.