Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools is a perfect mix of serenity and extreme excitement. On one hand, the never-ending scenes of flat plains which surround the winding Zambezi River successfully leaves one drooling at the beauty of the setting. There’s something special about being by this magical body of water. Gazing out past the river is one of the closest things to perfection that I’ve ever seen, and there’s no doubt that this picture would be extremely hard to beat. On the other hand, Mana Pools is home to some of the most exhilarating wildlife interactions. With the wide range of predators that reside in the park - there are many instances that might shock the audience. Some might not have realised that “survival of the fittest” is a true and, actually, a rather “low key” description of what happens in this wild arena. A lion kill in action isn’t a scene for the faint hearted. But, it is true that this all simply takes place in the name of survival. These sightings are deafening, intense and a more accurate description would be “savage”. After all, it is Africa, and it is the wild. It is incredible.

I had such a fab time here! Like some of the other reviewers, I included a canoe safari and was able to get so close to the wildlife. I had the misfortune of going near the end of the rainy season, and it was so hot and muggy the day I was canoeing. But, the small time I was there has made me want to return during the dry season. Bring a waterproof bag for your camera.

Mana Pools is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the southern bank of the Zambezi. Along this stretch the mighty river is surrounded by floodplains, islands, channels and sandbanks. The broad winding river and lush green trees and vegetation that line the bank are set against a backdrop of hazy mountains, creating magic scenery. The wildlife is abundant. Elephants are everywhere. Hippos, buffalo, zebras and hyenas are common. You might also see lions and leopards, and if you are lucky, cheetahs. Mana Pools is one of the few places in Africa where you have a good chance of seeing wild dogs. The best way to explore the park is by canoe. There is nothing quite like gliding down the river, watching herds of elephants and buffalo grazing on the floodplains. A variety of animals come down to the river to drink, and you are surrounded by prodigious bird life. Close encounters with hippos and crocodiles are sure to make your adrenalin rush. The open terrain and high density of varied wildlife is also ideal for walking safaris. Mana Pools is the only national park in Zimbabwe, and one of the few in Africa, that allows visitors to walk around unaccompanied. Zimbabwe National Parks has 5 self-catering lodges, a large communal campsite, and some private campsites inside the Park. Mana Pools is remote from any human settlement, and it is recommended to travel in a convoy of at least two vehicles in case something happens. You should take with you spare tires, plenty of food and water, and anything else you might need. If you want more comfort, there is a couple of excellent luxury lodges located just outside the park.

Foreign visitors rarely make it to Zimbabwe, put off by the country's misguided reputation. Zimbabwean people are some of the kindest and most welcoming in the world, and when they see a foreign face they're desperate to show that their reputation is undeserved. It's a very safe and beautiful country, marred by political news stories. At Mana Pools, I was the only tourist. Located beside the lower Zambezi River, the park blossoms into a broad expanse of lakes during the rainy season. From a viewing deck I spent six hours watching the continual flow of elephants coming to access a water hole. Lone males were chased of by large herds, who respected each other's power and waited for this turn. Elephants interacted amusingly, some desperate for status but one always controlling who could access the water. Hippos and crocodiles were regularly spotted on game drives. The former always hidden apart from a telltale snout, the latter always playing dead in the sun. Buffalo were also migrating in large numbers. They're strange creatures, shabby haired beasts who seem to define the word nomadic. But Mana Pools' star attraction is the solitude. There are no other people, just animal life going about its business. Don't come expecting to get awe inspiring photos. Put your camera away and watch another world slowly reveal itself.

Mana would have to be, in my humble opinion, one of the most underrated game parks in Africa. For game viewing, this is hand down as good as anything you’ll find in Kenya and Tanzania, yet the fact that it’s a pain in the butt to reach and not nearly as ‘organized’ means your feeling of being completely out in the wilderness is multiplies ten-fold. Took our group of overland tourists here so we were completely self-sufficient for two days and bush camped (sorry, can’t review any camps). We did not see a single tourist-filled 4WD the entire time we were in there, only hordes of hippos, zebras, hyenas, wild dogs and an unbelievable amount of crocodiles in the Zambezi. The elephants were some of the largest we’d ever seen in Africa, so perhaps they also appreciate the tranquility here. The scenery here is absolutely breathtaking and the fact it is not as visited as Hwange makes it infinitely more attractive...to us tour guides anyway! Seriously, park yourself up by the riverside, enjoy the mountainous backdrop and just be patient, this is one animal kingdom where the animals will all, at some stage, find you instead.