
What are the Great Zimbabwe Ruins?
Why was this once-mighty citadel abandoned?
Of all the magnificent sights in Zimbabwe, Mana Pools was the first to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s easy to see why. Named after the four wildlife-magnet oxbow lakes that sprawl across it, the park is a network of mini waterways and hippo-strewn sandbanks, with startlingly green grasslands and groves of mahogany trees sheltering a spectacular amount of game, including wild dog, buffalo and lion. And of course there’s the Zambezi – the mighty river that runs through the park, attracting elephant in their droves and canoeists looking for an epic water-based safari. Prefer to be on land? You’ll be in safe hands with some of the best walking guides on the continent.
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Anyone toying with the idea of a Zimbabwe safari will likely have heard of Mana Pools, so named for its four oxbow lakes that draw furry and feathered creatures from across the park. On game drives in the morning or late afternoon, you’ll spy everything from herds of buffalo and shy sable to African painted dog and cheetah. This wildly-beautiful scene also plays host to a portion of the mighty Zambezi River, where you can travel at eye-level with herds of elephant and big cats, hippos and crocodiles on a boat ride between tiny islands. Try a canoe trip if you’re feeling brave; the truly adventurous can even turn it into a multi-day excursion! Away from the river, the landscape is ideal for walking safaris and you’ll learn to follow tracks, decipher calls and even watch fully-grown elephant standing on their hind legs to reach the juiciest leaves.
As well as traditional game drives and superb walking safaris, Mana Pools is hard to beat for water-based game viewing. Make time for an afternoon canoe safari on the Zambezi and watch in awe as the elephant cross mere metres away – they're an entrancing sight!
Enlist the services of guide extraordinaire John Stevens, and discover the wildest corners of Mana Pools. A combination of mobile camping and walking, complemented by John’s 50 years of experience, makes for a safari experience that’s hard to beat.
Accommodation in Mana Pools is of the rustic, bush-camp variety. The camps are totally charming and a real highlight if they’re your cup of tea, but remember – there are no aircon units or minibars in sight.
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