​Best Time To Visit – Mana Pools NP

Philip Briggs
Expert
By Philip Briggs

Philip has traveled through Zimbabwe several times and is the author of more than 20 guidebooks to various African destinations.

Philip is the Zimbabwe expert for SafariBookings and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

Philip is our Zimbabwe expert and author of more than 20 guidebooks to Africa.

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The best time for wildlife viewing in Mana Pools National Park is during the Dry season, from June to October. Animals are easier to spot because the dry weather thins the bush and wildlife concentrates around the Zambezi River and the pools on its floodplains. Part of the park might get closed off for vehicles during part of the Wet season (from December to March).

Best Time June to October (Dry season)
High Season July to September (Mana Pools is seldom busy)
Low Season January to June (Many lodges close from January to March)
Best Weather April to September (Rains rarely fall)
Worst Weather October to February (Hot and humid once the rains start)

April to October –Dry Season – Winter

  • Wildlife is easier to spot since animals come to drink at the Zambezi River
  • Sunny days with no rain
  • Malaria risk is lessened since there are few mosquitoes
  • It is cooler (with the exception of October)
  • There is a lot of dust and drought
  • It is cold in the early mornings

Wildlife Photos

View Photos (20)
+18 Photos Want To Visit

November to April –Wet Season – Summer

  • Fresh, green scenery
  • Newborn animals are common
  • The arrival of the migratory birds makes birding superb
  • Wet, muddy roads can become treacherous or even impassable
  • The Dry season is better for wildlife viewing
  • It is damp with high humidity – the afternoons are hot
  • During January to March, many accommodations are closed

Wildlife Photos
+18 Photos

Best Time To Go by Major Park

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  • Hwange National Park
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD
  • Mana Pools National Park
    JanJ
    FebF
    MarM
    AprA
    MayM
    JunJ
    JulJ
    AugA
    SepS
    OctO
    NovN
    DecD

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