Mana Pools & Lower Zambezi Map

Mana Pools & Lower Zambezi

The Mana Pools National Park and Lower Zambezi National Park share the same eco-system and are only divided by the mighty Zambezi River. These parks have some of the most spectacular river scenery and game-viewing. The opportunity to get close to game coming to the Zambezi to drink, is superb.

MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK, ZIMBABWE

The Mana Pools National Park is one of Zimbabwe's World Heritage Sites and is situated in the north of the Country, with the Zambezi River forming its northern boundary. This area forms part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, which extends eastward from Kariba to Kanyemba and southwards to the summit of the steep Zambezi Escarpment. The Middle Zambezi Valley is one of the few remaining places on earth where the black rhino can still be found. The accessible water and abundance of vegetation attracts high concentrations of animals.

There is a growing number of safari operators offering professionally guided canoe trails, affording the visitor a close up view of an abundance of wildlife along the banks of the Zambezi River.

Getting there
Mana Pools is a truly remote park. Situated in the extreme north of Zimbabwe on the Zambezi River, Mana is far from any major town or human settlement. Drive along the main Harare/ Chirundu tarred road and at the bottom of the Zambezi Escarpment, branch off the tarred road onto a dirt road that will take you 70 kilometres into unspoiled bush to Nyamepi Camp. There are a number of game-viewing roads that run along the Zambezi River and further inland from which you can view the wide variety of wildlife. Visitors can get a free entry permit to enter the Nyamautsi wilderness area and Kanga Pan where vehicle entry is limited to 2 per day.

LOWER ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK, ZAMBIA

The Lower Zambezi National Park covers an area of 4092 square kilometers, but most of the game is concentrated along the valley floor. There is an escarpment along the northern end which acts as a physical barrier to most of the parks animal species. Enormous herds of elephant, some up to 100 strong, are often seen at the rivers edge. ?Island hopping? buffalo and waterbuck are common. The park also hosts good populations of lion and leopard. Hyena are often seen wondering around the camps.

Getting there
You can drive into the National Park, but it is very underdeveloped and not really structured for vehicle visitors yet. The existing lodges and canoeing operators provide the best access to the park. They all offer pick-ups from either Lusaka or Chirundu (where there is a small motel) or Kariba in Zimbabwe.

The Chongwe River demarcates the western boundary of the park and can be accessed from Chirundu along a rough road (4x4 recommended), crossing the Kafue River by pontoon just beyond Gwabi Lodge.

Probably the easiest way to get to the park is to fly to the airstrips in the park.

Featured Lower Zambezi National Park safari lodge maps
Chiawa Camp map: Resting on the banks of the Zambezi under a lush grove of mahogany and acacia trees. Game-viewing in the pristine Lower Zambezi National Park is superb with game close to the camp
Chongwe River Camp map: The Chongwe River is the boundary of the Lower Zambezi National Park, a four thousand square kilometre pristine sanctuary, teeming with game
Msaku Camp map: One of the 1st camps on the Zambezi River, it affords guests unique perspectives of both the Zambezi River and the spectacular Zambezi escarpment
Mvuu Lodge map: Mvuu Lodge is nestled in a lush riverine forest, in a protected game management area and situated on the banks of the Lower Zambezi River
Sausage Tree Camp map: This exclusive safari camp, featured on the BBC's Holiday 10 Best programme, specializes in affording you our guests the very best game viewing, with traditional safari style

Featured Mana Pools National Park safari lodge maps
Ruckomechi Camp Map, Mana Pools: Ruckomechi Camp in on the edge of the Mana Pools National Park and overlooks the Zambezi River.