National park · Zimbabwe
Mana Pools National Park
Enter Mana Pools for a day: pay the entry fee (≈US$30), drive 15 km (9.3 mi) north of the Harare‑Lusaka highway, and choose the 2‑hour Hippo Walk trail; for longer stays, book a guided canoe trip (≈US$120) in the dry season and stay at a nearby lodge.Enter Mana Pools for a day: pay the entry fee (≈US$30), drive 9.3 mi (15 km) north of the Harare‑Lusaka highway, and choose the 2‑hour Hippo Walk trail; for longer stays, book a guided canoe trip (≈US$120) in the dry season and stay at a nearby lodge.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,190 km² (846 sq mi)846 sq mi (2,190 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
May–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 9Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Zimbabwe ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Zimbabwean government sources; if you will cross to Zambia, ask about the KAZA UniVisa and whether it is available to you.
- Zimbabwe ↗Do not photograph government buildings, police, the military or border posts.
- Zimbabwe ↗Bring enough US dollars in small, clean notes; do not rely on ATMs or foreign cards outside Victoria Falls, Harare and lodges.
- Lake Kariba-Lower Zambezi ↗Zimbabwe national park entry fees are paid in US dollars at the gate; carry cash and check the current rate for Matusadona and Mana Pools.
- Lake Kariba-Lower Zambezi ↗Houseboat quotes often exclude fuel and park fees; confirm what the daily rate covers before you pay a deposit.
At a glance
- Country
- Zimbabwe
- Area
- 2,190 km² (846 sq mi)846 sq mi (2,190 km²)
- Approximately 2,190 km² of floodplain, woodland and river (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- May–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mana Pools National Park protects the Zambezi river floodplain and surrounding savannah, offering walking boardwalks, canoe trips and night drives to see large herds of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and buffalo in a remote, low‑traffic setting.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2013Part of the “Mana Pools” World Heritage site.
Size and age
2,190 km² (846 sq mi)846 sq mi (2,190 km²) · national park since 1990
Approximately 2,190 km² of floodplain, woodland and river (check).
Why go
- Walk along the Zambezi floodplain to see hippos, crocodiles and large herds.
- Canoe on the Zambezi for close wildlife encounters.
- Night drives in a remote, low‑traffic park.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, occasional rain.
- FebWarm, short showers.
- MarStart of rainy season.
- AprRain increases, roads muddy.
- MayDry, good wildlife viewing.
- JunDry, cooler nights.
- JulDry, excellent game.
- AugDry, high wildlife activity.
- SepDry, good water levels.
- OctEnd of dry season, some rain.
- NovWarm, occasional showers.
- DecWarm, short rains.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephant herdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Hippos and crocodiles (river)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| African buffaloMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Leopard (rare sightings)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Harare
Drive north on the Harare‑Lusaka highway (A1), then turn east toward Kariba; 15 km (9.3 mi) after the highway turnoff is the park gate.Drive north on the Harare‑Lusaka highway (A1), then turn east toward Kariba; 9.3 mi (15 km) after the highway turnoff is the park gate.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Kariba town
Take the paved road east for 30 km (19 mi) to the park gate.Take the paved road east for 19 mi (30 km) to the park gate.
45 min
Open the page →
From Chirundu border post (Zambia)
Cross the bridge, then follow the A1 south to the turnoff east toward the park.
2–3 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hippo Walk area | Boardwalk and viewing platform along the Zambezi floodplain. | Open with entry ticket; no guide required. |
| Canoe corridor | Designated stretch of the Zambezi for guided canoe trips. | Permit required; guided only. |
| Backcountry camps | Remote campsites for self‑drive or guided walks. | Permit required; limited facilities. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main gate and key sites derived from park maps.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person, day visit) | US$30 | person | 2026 estimate, check official rates. |
| Guided canoe trip (full day) | US$120–150 | person | Includes boat, guide, and park fee; check operator. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Canoe permit permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$30
- US$120–150
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Mana Pools before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Required for canoe trips and backcountry walks.
- Camping
- Only in designated campsites with a permit.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves only.
- Wildlife interaction
- Keep distance; no feeding or approaching animals.
- Drone use
- Not allowed without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Mana Pools Camp
Basic tented camp with river views; includes meals and guided activities.
Near the park
Kariba town lodges
Various hotels and guesthouses 30 km (19 mi) from the park gate.Various hotels and guesthouses 19 mi (30 km) from the park gate.
Safety
Hippo attacks on river banks high
Heat and dehydration medium
Remote backcountry medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boardwalks are level and suitable for limited mobility; however, canoe trips require moderate fitness.
Visiting lightly
- Choose operators with a park‑permit and no‑motor‑boat policy.
- Support community‑run camps that employ local staff.
- Do not litter; pack out all waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mana Pools National Park?
Entry is about US$30 per adult for a day visit; guided canoe trips cost roughly US$120–150 per person. Prices are 2026 estimates, check official rates.
What are the best hikes in Mana Pools National Park?
The Hippo Walk (2 h, easy) and the Backcountry River Trail (4–6 h, moderate, guide required) are the most popular. Both are best in the dry season (May–Oct).
When is the best time to visit Mana Pools National Park?
The dry months May to October offer good wildlife viewing and safe river conditions; July–August are peak for game, while November–April bring rain and higher river levels.
Do I need a guide for a day visit?
A guide is not required for the Hippo Walk, but all canoe trips and backcountry walks must be done with a licensed guide.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated sites with a permit; self‑catering is limited, so most visitors stay at nearby lodges or camps.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Mana Pools National Park
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