Zimbabwe’s Most Beautiful Park
Mana Pools National Park
The Mana Pools National Park is a natural tourist attraction located in Zimbabwe along the picturesque Zambezi River. The park is famous for its beautiful natural scenery.
This is especially true during the dry season. When the floodwaters recede they reveal vast open grasslands and pools of water. This picturesque backdrop provides an ideal setting for capturing stunning wildlife photographs.
UNESCO designated Mana Pools National Park as a World Heritage Site in 1984. It has many habitats including woodlands, riverine forests, and open grasslands where ancient baobab trees dot the landscape. This diverse flora supports a plethora of fauna, making it a haven for wildlife.
The park derives its name “Mana” from the Shona language, meaning the number four, referencing the four main pools found in the area. These pools are named Green, Chine, Long, and Chisasiko. They add to the park’s allure and provide water for its abundant wildlife.
What Is Mana Pools National Park Known For?
Mana Pools is one of Africa’s few national parks that allows walking safaris. This one-of-a-kind experience allows tourists to walk through the park with experienced guides. Walking safaris offer a more intimate wildlife experience, allowing guests to appreciate the beauty of the bush up close.
The wildlife is diverse and abundant. Elephants, buffalos, hippos, and crocodiles are plentiful. So are lions, leopards, zebras, and antelopes. Many bird species also call the park home.
Visitors may see all these species in their natural environment, making it a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts.
Mana Pools National Park Wildlife
The park is home to a diverse range of animal species, large and small. The following are some of the significant wildlife species found in Mana Pools.
African Wild Dog
Mana Pools National Park is home to colonies of African wild dogs, often known as painted wolves. These highly sociable and endangered canines travel in packs. African wild dogs have a striking appearance. Their vibrant coat of black, brown, white, and yellow, giving them a painted or mottled look. Each individual has a unique coat pattern that makes them distinctly identifiable.
Elephants
These majestic mammals can be seen roaming around the park and swimming in the river. Visitors may see herds of elephants browsing small shrubs as well as feeding on trees using their trunks to pluck leaves off tall branches. Elephants stand on their back legs to reach the best leaves. Elephants are extremely social animals with family structures led by matriarchs.
Hippo
Hippos are typically semi-aquatic, spending most of their time submerged in water. Generally, they feed at night on dry land. They are very large animals with barrel-shaped bodies, short legs, and a big skull. A large mouth reveals massive tusks and powerful incisor teeth. Hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa and are kept at a distance for one’s safety.
Buffalo
The African buffalo are strong animals with a bulky body and have a dark brown or black coat. Buffalo are famous for their huge, curving horns that they use to defend themselves and spar with rivals. These robust herbivores can be found in a variety of habitats across the park, including grasslands, and woodlands. Buffalo is one of the famous African Big 5 and are found in large herds in the national park.
Lions
Of all the cats, lions are the most gregarious. They are the only cats to live in family groups called “prides,” made up of two to three unrelated adult males and four to twelve related adult females with their cubs. Lions use ambush and stalking tactics when hunting. Every member of the pride participates in the kill; males consume first, then females, and finally cuss. Males defend the females and cubs against hyenas and other lions.
Birds
Mana Pools is home to a variety of bird species. It includes African fish eagles and saddle-billed storks. Also skimmers, jacanas, and pied kingfishers, malachite kingfishers, lilac-breasted rollers, and various herons, egrets, and raptors. Mana Pools is on the African-Eurasian flyway. It attracts many migrating species from breeding sites in the northern hemisphere to wintering areas in Africa.
Things To Do at Mana Pools
Safari Walks
Experience the wilderness on foot by participating in walking safaris. Knowledgeable guides lead the safaris. Walking safaris offer a unique and intimate perspective allowing one to observe wildlife up close. Learn about the smaller details of the ecosystem and appreciate the sights and sounds of the park.
Safari Photography
Capture magnificent shots of animals in their habitats. You’ll also see beautiful sunrises and sunsets along with the park’s unique plants and animals. Taking pictures at different times of the day capturing the golden hazes on the landscape during dusk and dawn as well as skylines with clustering of various birds.
Game Drive
Go on exhilarating game drives in open safari vehicles and be able to see and photograph the numerous animals in Mana Pools. Trained guides will lead you around the park boosting your chances of seeing elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, and other species.
Bird Watching
Mana Pools National Park is well-known for its rich bird population, making it a birdwatcher’s heaven. Grab your binoculars and explore the park’s ecosystems. See a variety of bird species, such as African fish eagles, herons, storks, and kingfishers.
Fishing
If you enjoy fishing, Mana Pools offers catch-and-release fishing in the Zambezi River. Challenge your friends. Test your skills while targeting species such as tiger fish and bream while surrounded by the park’s natural beauty, scenery, and serenity.