Mana Pools Tourism Services

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$1,628 pp (USD)

2 travelers   on   Start date
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Breakdown of Costs
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Start Date
Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 11.
Travelers

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Day 1

Drive to Mana Pools National Park

Drive to Mana Pools National Park

Early Start (06:00am) at Sunbird Guest House with 4x4 handover. Costa will demonstrate the operation of the vehicle and associated equipment and run you through the paperwork (please allow approx. 1hr 30 Mins- please don't rush him as this is vital for your safety and comfort).

Once the handover is completed, we'll set you off on the road to Mana Pools! Follow the GPS directions up the Great North Road. Brim your fuel tanks at Karoi and Makuit then proceed to Marongora Zimparks check-in, and present entry permits which we have prepared for you. You will need to pay a small Zimparks vehicle entry fees (USD3 per day). Descend the Zambezi Escarpment and turn onto the Mana dust road (you will now learn what corrugations are!). Proceed approx. 70km through the bush to Mana Reception.

Set up your campsite. You are responsible for all camp chores from cooking to cleaning and keeping your food safely stowed in the vehicle away from Monkeys & elephants (no fresh fruit allowed).

Main Destination:
Mana Pools National Park
Best Time To Visit June to October (Best wildlife viewing)
High Season July to September
Best Weather April to September (Rains rarely fall)

Wildlife in Mana Pools NP

ElephantAbundant
LionCommon
BuffaloCommon
ZebraCommon
HippoCommon
HyenaCommon
Show more
LeopardOccasional
Wild DogOccasional
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mana Pools NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

Day 2

Explore Mana Pools

Explore Mana Pools

Wake up on your first day at Mana to a cacophony of birdsong and animal sounds, hippo grunts, lion roars, and hyena howls. You are in paradise. We suggest you book a Zimparks ranger at reception to take you on guided walks along the Mana floodplain every morning and evening because walking is what sets Mana apart from other African parks. Don't waste the opportunity and freedom of being allowed to walk at Mana by driving randomly along Mana's rather limited road network. Get out there in the bush with an armed Zimparks ranger and walk—you will be immersed in the bugs and birds and live a totally different experience to the standard African game drive. This is real, wild Africa.

Main Destination:
Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mana Pools NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

Day 3

Explore Mana Pools

Explore Mana Pools

Get into your Mana routine. Book morning and afternoon walks with Zimparks rangers. Relax during the heat of the day and see more animals walk through your campsite than you saw on your walk. You are now starting to become used to the Mana lifestyle.

Main Destination:
Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Mana Pools NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

Day 4-5

Drive to Chitake Spring

Drive to Chitake Spring

Break camp after breakfast, and fill the roof-mounted water tank on the vehicle and solar showers with water at the reception. Today we are going to Chitake Springs. Drive approximately 60km inland from the river to set up camp at Chitake camping site. Here the Chitake River rises out of the sand and flows on the surface for up to 1km before sinking back into the earth. This is the only source of water for miles around in mid-dry season and animals flock to Chitake to drink and hunt. You will camp amongst them. You will definitely see a lion at Chitake, set up your chairs under the shade of the fig tree and let the animals come to you.

Main Destination:
Chitake Springs (Mana Pools NP)
Accommodation:
Budget camping
  • In or near Chitake Springs (Mana Pools NP)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

Day 6

Drive to Harare

Drive to Harare

After breakfast and a morning walk, reluctantly break camp. Depart before 10:00 am and drive slowly back towards the tar road. Remember to re-inflate tires to 2.5 bar at the last boom gate at the tar road. Checkout at Marongora. Refuel at Chinhoyi and return the vehicle to Sunbird Guest House in the daylight (for traffic and road safety reasons it is unwise to travel after nightfall). Hand back the 4x4 and complete vehicle return paperwork with Costa. You are welcome to stay the night at Sunbird Guest House.

Main Destination:
Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation:
No accommodation (End of tour)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.

Interested in This Tour?

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  • Requests are sent directly to the tour operator
  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Your request will be sent directly to the operator

If preferred, you can contact the operator directly

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Mana Pools Tourism Services, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Mana Pools Tourism Services.