Beneath the Trees of Mana Pools
Walk beneath ancient mahogany trees and across the open floodplains of Mana Pools, where elephants rise on their hind legs, the Zambezi flows quietly beyond the forest and every encounter feels completely untamed.
At A Glance
Collection | Signature Safari Collection |
Journey Type | One Destination Safari |
Destination | Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe |
Recommended Stay | 4–6 Nights |
Choose From | 4 Luxury Lodges |
Nearest Airport/Airstrip | Mana Pools Airstrip |
Wildlife Highlights | Elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and abundant birdlife |
Ideal For |
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Fully Customisable | Yes |
Why You'll Love This Safari
Beneath the Albida Trees
Mana Pools gets its name from the four permanent pools scattered across the floodplain, but it is the ancient woodland that gives the park much of its character. Albida and mahogany trees rise from the sandy earth, creating a landscape that feels both open and deeply secluded.
Elephants on Two Legs
Mana Pools is famous for its elephants, particularly those that stand on their hind legs to reach the nutritious pods and leaves of the trees. Watching an elephant balance beneath the canopy, often just metres away, is one of the valley's most distinctive encounters.
Walking in Wild Country
Mana Pools is one of Africa's great walking destinations. Without the vehicle between you and the landscape, you become more aware of tracks, birds, wind through the trees and the movements of animals around you.
The Zambezi Floodplain
The broad floodplain stretches between the woodland and the Zambezi, changing dramatically with the seasons. During the dry months, wildlife gathers around the remaining water, while the river and surrounding channels create a constantly shifting backdrop to the safari.
Safari From the Water
Canoeing along the Zambezi offers an entirely different perspective. Hippos surface beside the boat, elephants come to drink at the river's edge and wildlife can be watched from the quiet of the water without the sound of an engine.
A Wilderness That Feels Remote
Mana Pools has an unmistakable sense of space. There are long stretches where the landscape seems to belong entirely to the animals, with the Zambezi, floodplain and escarpment forming a vast wilderness that rewards slowing down and simply being there.
Lodges In Our Portfolio
Beneath the Trees of Mana Pools is built around four carefully selected camps, each offering a different way to experience this remote corner of Zimbabwe. From the intimate wilderness of Kanga Camp to the riverside setting of Nyamatusi Camp and the contemporary feel of Nyamatusi Mahogany, each brings its own character to the Mana Pools experience.
Kanga Camp
Set around Kanga Pan in a private concession deep within Mana Pools, Kanga Camp offers a wonderfully traditional interpretation of Zimbabwean safari. Six tents sit on raised wooden platforms overlooking the pan, where wildlife gathers as the dry season draws on. The camp's position away from the Zambezi gives it a different rhythm to the riverside camps, with the waterhole becoming the centre of the wildlife experience and an ideal setting for quiet, unhurried observation.
Best Suited For
Wildlife enthusiasts wanting animals close to camp
Photographers looking for a dedicated hide and waterhole viewing
Travellers who prefer traditional, intimate safari camps
Guests wanting a more remote and immersive Mana Pools experience
Experienced safari travellers who value wilderness over elaborate luxury
Lodge Atmosphere
Traditional • Intimate • Wild • Remote
Molori Mashuma
Set beside the wildlife-rich Mashuma Pan on an exclusive-use concession, Molori Mashuma brings a distinctly luxurious interpretation to the wilderness of Mana Pools. Just six tented suites overlook the pan, combining contemporary African design with generous private spaces and sweeping views. The setting allows guests to experience the rawness of Mana Pools while returning to a level of comfort and refinement that feels remarkably removed from the wild beyond.
Best Suited For
Luxury travellers seeking an exclusive Mana Pools experience
Couples and honeymooners
Travellers who value design and exceptional comfort
Guests wanting privacy and a small-scale camp
Wildlife enthusiasts who enjoy watching animals from camp
Lodge Atmosphere
Refined • Exclusive • Contemporary • Serene
Nyamatusi Camp
Nestled beneath mature mahogany and sausage trees on the banks of the Zambezi, Nyamatusi Camp offers one of Mana Pools' more luxurious riverside experiences. Six spacious suites look towards the river and Zambian escarpment, each with a private plunge pool and generous outdoor space. From camp, guests can move between walking, canoeing, boating and game drives, making the river and surrounding wilderness part of almost every day.
Best Suited For
Luxury safari travellers
Couples and honeymooners
Wildlife enthusiasts wanting varied safari activities
Guests who enjoy combining adventure with high levels of comfort
Travellers wanting a beautiful riverside setting
Lodge Atmosphere
Luxurious • Riverside • Contemporary • Immersive
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Set beneath ancient mahogany trees along the Zambezi River, Nyamatusi Mahogany is designed around the idea of experiencing Mana Pools together as a family. With just four suites, including two dedicated family suites, the camp retains an intimate feel while offering a wide range of child-friendly activities and safari experiences. Days can move between game drives, canoeing, boating and time simply watching the river and wildlife from camp.
Best Suited For
Families with children of different ages
Multi-generational families
Families wanting a genuinely luxurious safari
Travellers looking for an intimate private-camp feel
Guests wanting a broad range of activities beyond game drives
Lodge Atmosphere
Family-Friendly • Intimate • Riverside • Relaxed
Sample Itinerary
Recommended Stay: 4 Nights | 5 Days
We believe four nights gives you enough time to experience Mana Pools at its natural pace. Days can move between walking, game drives and time on the Zambezi, with enough space in between to simply watch the wildlife around camp.
Day 1: Arrival
Fly into Mana Pools Airstrip and meet your safari guide.
Transfer through the park towards camp, with your first wildlife encounters along the way.
Settle in before heading out for your first afternoon activity.
Inclusions: Air transfer, lunch, afternoon game drive, sundowners, dinner.
Days 2-4
Set out early on foot or by vehicle while the landscape is cool and wildlife is active.
Return to camp for breakfast and time to rest during the heat of the day.
Spend the afternoon exploring the floodplain, woodland or Zambezi by vehicle, on foot or by canoe.
Enjoy a slower evening around camp as the sounds of the wilderness continue around you.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast, lunch, afternoon game drive, selected walking and canoeing activities, sundowners, dinner.
Day 5: Departure
Enjoy a final morning safari activity before breakfast.
Transfer to Mana Pools Airstrip for your onward flight.
Inclusions: Morning drive with coffee and snacks, breakfast and/or lunch, air transfer.
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The All Out Safaris Perspective
Mana Pools is a place that asks you to leave the vehicle behind.
Walking beneath the trees, you begin to notice the smaller things: tracks crossing the sand, elephants feeding overhead and the sudden silence that falls when something moves nearby. Then there is the Zambezi. From the river, the landscape opens completely, with elephants gathering along the banks and hippos surfacing in the current.
For us, Mana Pools is about immersion. You are not simply watching the wilderness from a distance. You are moving through it, beneath it and alongside it.
Questions about this safari
What wildlife can I expect to see?
Mana Pools is known for elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, hippo and crocodile, alongside a wide variety of antelope and birdlife. Wildlife concentrations are particularly strong during the dry season.
Is Mana Pools good for walking safaris?
Yes. Walking is one of the defining experiences of Mana Pools and is a major reason we recommend it for travellers who want to experience the bush beyond traditional game drives.
Can I go canoeing in Mana Pools?
Yes. Canoeing on the Zambezi is one of the most distinctive ways to experience the area, although activities depend on water levels, conditions and the camp you choose.
When is the best time to visit?
The dry season is particularly rewarding for wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around remaining water sources. The greener months bring a different landscape, excellent birding and a quieter atmosphere. We can help you choose the timing around the experience you want.
Which Mana Pools lodge should I choose?
That depends on your travel style, budget and priorities. Kanga Camp suits couples and experienced safari travellers wanting an intimate, traditional wilderness experience. Nyamatusi Camp is ideal for couples and families looking for a refined camp with excellent access to both land and water activities. Nyamatusi Mahogany works particularly well for families or private groups wanting exclusive use and greater flexibility, while Molori Mashuma suits travellers looking for a secluded and private safari experience. If you're unsure which is right for you, we'll recommend the option that best matches your travel style and preferences.
Is Mana Pools suitable for families?
Yes, although minimum ages and activity restrictions vary between camps. We recommend choosing the camp around your children's ages and previous safari experience.
Can I combine Mana Pools with Victoria Falls?
Yes. Mana Pools works particularly well as part of a wider Zimbabwe journey, allowing you to combine the remote wilderness of the Zambezi Valley with Victoria Falls.
Can I combine Mana Pools with Zambia?
Yes. Mana Pools can be combined with destinations such as Lower Zambezi or South Luangwa for a broader Zambezi Valley safari, followed by Victoria Falls if desired.
How do I book this safari?
Simply complete the enquiry form below. We'll then hop on a consultation call to discuss and prepare a personalised safari proposal with recommended accommodation, itinerary options and pricing for you to review.
Similar Safaris
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