To the north, near the Indian Ocean, is where you’ll find Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. The Zambezi River passes through it. One of the world’s greatest natural wonders, the park stretches over a total area of around 2196 km2 and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also includes five other safari areas (Charara, Hurungwe, Sapi, Chewore, and Dande) and Lower Zambezi National Park (Zambia).
One of the few true wilderness regions, Mana Pools is secluded and hard to reach. Mana, which translates to “four” in the native language of Shona, is the name given to the area’s four pools (the others being Green Pool, Chisasiko, Chine, and Long Pool). The latter is the biggest of the four, spanning over six kilometers and home to a sizable permanent population of hippos, crocodiles, and a wide variety of aquatic birds.
Animals like lions, elephants, buffalo, and leopards, as well as painted dogs, antelope, and around 380 different kinds of birds, call this park home.
Mature riverine woods of natal mahogany, rain tree, and apple ring acacia thrive on the alluvial soils of the floodplain, while mopane, dense jesse bush, and towering baobab trees fill the ground farther from the Zambezi River.
A 4×4 vehicle is required to travel this road from the Chirundu highway. About 391 kilometers separate Mana Pools and Harare.
From Harare, the Makuti can be reached in about 295 kilometers along the major Harare-Chirundu route. The Marongora Parks Administration Offices are located beyond Makuti. Make a U-turn at the Marongora Parks Offices on the left. Permission to access Mana Pools is required.
From Marongora, go south toward Chirundu along the escarpment; pass the Tsetse Fly Control Point; and turn right into the gravel road leading to Mana Pools. You should take care of this route since it is currently quite bumpy.
The first of two security booms (Chimutsi Gate) can be found at the fork in the road leading to the gravel parking lot. The Marongora admission permission you obtained must be shown. Turn left at the second boom gate (Nyakasikana Gate) and follow the road until you reach the Nyamepi Tourist Office, which is located in the town of Nyamepi. Find your way to the Nyamepi Tourist Office by following the signage.
The park’s Mana Pools airstrip is accessible through private charter flights from any airport in Zimbabwe.
Wearing light, loose-fitting clothes, a hat, and sunscreen are all good ideas during the warmer months.
In the fall and winter, you should dress warmly, particularly at night. Avoid wearing red, yellow, bright green, etc., and stick to earth tones instead.
Mana Pools National Park is an unspoiled wilderness teaming with wonderful species, so it’s important to bring along a few necessities. You can’t really appreciate the park’s wildlife and flowers without a pair of binoculars and a camera. If you plan on exploring the area on foot, bring a sturdy pair of hiking boots or walking shoes. Prepare for your encounters with remarkable species by having a book or app on hand that may help you identify them.
Bring along enough food and water to last the duration of your trip, as well as a comprehensive first-aid package in case of emergencies. Malaria medicine and insect repellent are necessities in this area due to the prevalence of the disease. Finally, pack nets for mosquitoes to protect yourself from the park’s buzzing nighttime residents and have a good night’s sleep. These things are required for a successful trip to Mana Pools National Park.
Read also: 10 Best Things To Do In Zimbabwe .
