Mana Pools National Park

In the remote north of Zimbabwe lies Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site set along the Zambezi River boasting an extraordinary concentration of wildlife that includes more than 100 mammal species and over 450 bird species.

Derived from the Shona word for ‘four’, Mana refers to the 4 isolated pools that were formed by and then cut off from the Zambezi River. Thanks to this constant water supply from the river and these watering holes, this 2200 km² park attracts a vast range of wildlife during the dry season.

The Park is home to multiple families of wild dogs, with several healthy packs spread across the park, as well as 4 members of the Big 5. Mana Pools elephants are possibly some of the most famous as there is a group of bull elephants known to stand up on their back legs to reach higher vegetation. This area is also home to the largest populations of Nile crocodiles and hippos in the country.

Thanks to its remote location, Mana Pools in Zimbabwe is a pristine safari area. The lack of human intervention makes for some of the best walking safaris in Southern Africa, as well as excellent canoe safaris and game drives.