One of Zimbabwe's prime wildlife viewing areas

Enjoy a canoe safari along the mighty Zambezi on a luxury Mana Pools safari, see the hippos, and watch elephants feeding from the trees.

Stretching along the Zambezi River in Northern Zimbabwe, the Mana Pools National Park is one of the country’s prime wildlife viewing areas and one of the best places to visit in Zimbabwe. The park takes its name from the four pools - Mana means four in the local Shona language, which are a magnet for wildlife, especially in the dry winter months.

Lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah and brown hyena are amongst the predators found in the park, whilst buffalo are found in strong numbers, as are elephant, some of whom have adapted to their environment to rise up on their hind legs to feed from the trees. There is a good variety of plains game in the park, whilst the ever-present water in the pools and in the Zambezi River makes this a great spot for birding. As with any area in Africa, the waterways are full of hippo and crocodile.

Mana is prime walking territory and remains the only park in Africa were visitors can go walking without a guide, although we always urge having a guide with you at all times when on foot. Game drives are also a great way to explore whilst those looking to enjoy the park from a different perspective can take canoe safaris along the mighty Zambezi – a wonderful way to enjoy the views back to the park and mountain escarpment.

Accommodation in Mana Pools is all tented camps, opening seasonally in the dry months between April and October each year when the wildlife returns from the escarpment where it shelters during the rain, with peak viewing enjoyed between July and October. The majority of the camps are found along the Zambezi River within the park, although there are some lovely ‘inland’ options as well. So why go on a tailor-made Mana Pools safari? Well, put simply, for many this is as good as a safari experience in Africa gets. Isolated, wonderfully scenic and rich in wildlife, this is quintessential Africa. Twin that with an incredible choice of places to stay and some of the best guides you will enjoy anywhere in Africa, a luxury Mana Pools holiday is a treat not to be missed.