Mana Pools National Park
Mana Pools National Park is located in Zimbabwe along the Zambezi River and the border of Zambia. The park covers an area of 2,612 square miles (6,766 sq km).
This broad plain area generates a series of lakes during the rainy season. As the waters begin to recede, the remaining pools become excellent game viewing locations as wildlife flocks to these natural watering holes. It is these remaining pools that draw the animals and create this spectacular game viewing setting.
The Mana Pools were combined with the Sapi Safari Area and Chewore Safari Area to create a single UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984. It is also classified as a wetland of international importance by Ramsar. The national park area is also contiguous with Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park. Unfortunately, it is not easy to travel between the two parks.
The remoteness of the Mana Pools helps travelers engage the true sense of a wilderness experience while also increasing the intrigue and adventure of discovering Africa.
Although there will be more than four pools at different times based on the rainfall, there are four pools that are recognized as permanent in the area. In a local language, the word "mana" means four. The four permanent watering holes or pools are where the park draws its name.
The banks of the river beds and the pools give way to lush forests of acacia, baobabs, ebonies, fig, and mahogany trees. The pools are also home to Zimbabwe's largest population of hippos and crocodiles. During the dry season, these are easily seen lining the banks of the pools sunning or grazing.
The dry season brings herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, eland, waterbuck, antelope, and other ungulates to the pools for drinking water. This means it is an excellent place to find the predator species of cheetah, hyena, leopard, lion, and wild dog waiting to pounce on vulnerable prey.
Although the rhino used to graze amongst the mana pools, poachers have led it to extinction for the area. The other four of the Big 5, (lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo, can all be found in the park boundaries.
Birdwatchers will also enjoy the incredible opportunities the Mana Pools provide with over 450 species of birds nesting or migrating through the park area.