Mana Pools

Mana Pools
Photo in the Public Domain.

Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas are renowned for their wildlife gatherings during the dry season.

The three conservation areas are situated in the Zambezi Valley, along the Middle and Lower Zambezi river. Mana Pools is centered around four large permanent pools. The river and the sandbanks that are formed by erosion and deposition form a refuge for species such as elephants, buffalo, lions, wild dogs, Nile crocodiles and hippos.

Community Perspective: uncrowded, “an utterly wild place, sleeping outside with the sound of roaring lions, whooping hyenas and grunting hippos”.

1 Locations 2 Reviews 8 Ratings 14 Connections 21 Visitors

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Community Reviews

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ryan erasmus

newzealand - 28-Aug-06 -

I am a zimbabwean living overseas now, we as a family used to go to mana alot, it is the most amazing place i have ever been and i have travelled the world extensively,There is such a spirit about mana ancient in time i feel so primal when i am there i recomend mana pools to anyone who loves nature, wildlife and fishing . i hope mana stays free of poaching and it is managed honestly. i would love to organise events here in newzealand to raise money for the preservation of the park

Matt Adams

UK -

I went to Mana Pools in December with my brother, who lives in Zimbabwe. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, and the experience was enhanced by seeing the rare & elusive painted hunting dogs, and also lions, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, hyenas and other species of animals and birds too numerous to mention. The experience of living for five days in such an utterly wild place, sleeping outside with the sound of roaring lions, whooping hyenas and grunting hippos to lull me to sleep, and spending the days surrounded by such stunning scenery, is one I will never forget.

Difficult to get a place in a lodge unless you know a Zimbabwe resident (& even then not easy), but there are campsites open in the dry season, and it's well worth visiting if you can find a way.

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Site Info

Full Name
Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas
Unesco ID
302
Country
Zimbabwe
Inscribed
1984
Type
Natural
Criteria
7 9 10
Categories
Wildlife habitat - Fauna
Link
By ID

Site History

1984 Inscribed

Site Links

Unesco Website
Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas
Official Website

Mana Pools National Park

In the News

World heritage site in Zimbabwe targeted for oil exploration (2023.05.10)

Severe drought killing elephants, other wildlife in Mana Pools (2019.11.08)

German tourist trampled to death by elephant in Mana Pools (2018.09.27)

Father and son on anti-poaching patrol killed by ranger in Zimbabwe (2016.03.15)

Controversial construction of luxury campsite at Mana Pools (2012.11.16)

Locations

The site has 1 locations

Mana Pools

Connections

The site has

Damaged
Poaching: rhino since inscription eradicated due to poaching; poaching remains a problem for rhino re-introduction as well as for other species such as elephant
Ecology
Crocodiles: "A healthy population of the threatened Nile crocodile is also present" (AB ev)
Elephants: African elephant
Strepsirrhini: Mohol bushbaby
High-Biodiversity Wilderness Area: Miombo-Mopane Woodlands and Savannas
Lions: Estimate of of 67 adult and sub-adult lions (2008-2011)
Geography
On National Border: On Zambia border
Zambezi basin: Located on the banks of the Zambezi River. The Mana Pools are former channels of the Zambezi River (OUV)
Timeline
Late Pleistocene: From that same late Pleistocene era, pollen records prove an increase of mangrove and coastal vegetation, implying an extension of coastal wetlands during flooding of the broad, low-gradient Zambezi inner shelf area. (EOEarth)
Trivia
Total Solar Eclipse since Inscription: 21 June, 2001
Visiting conditions
Foreigner prices: Foreigners pay 20 USD per day plus 10 USD per vehicle, 'regionals' 15/10 USD and locals 8/5 USD.
WHS on Other Lists
World Biosphere Reserves: 2010 - "Middle Zambezi, Zimbabwe, stretching over some 40,000 square kilometers in the Zambezi valley, features unique riverine and terrestrial ecosystems, including a large human-made reservoir, Lake Kariba. The Mana Pools National Park, part of the core area, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site."
Ramsar Wetlands: As 'Mana Pools National Park' (2013)
World Heritage Process
First inscriptions: Zimbabwe 1984

Visitors

Community Members have visited.