Four nights in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe.
I’ve wanted to visit Mana Pools ever since learning of its existence.
Last year I got close, managing a last minute trip to Lower Zambezi National Park when I found a last minute deal to get me out of Lusaka. It only whet my appetite when I saw it from across the river. I was determined to make it my next major safari destination.
— 10 to 14 Sep 2025
1.
Leaving Harare and an introduction to Mana Pools.
Lloyd picks me up at 0550. Check in for my flight doesn’t begin until 0830 and I thought about leaving at 0730 so that I’d have a little time buffer. The front desk suggests I leave at 0600 due to traffic. I’m skeptical, but assume that they know better than I.
2.
Wild dogs, pizza, and canoeing on the Zambezi River.
I wake up at 04h30 to a crunching sound outside. I’m barely awake but curiosity gets the better of me. I force myself to get out of bed to investigate and in the dark I can just make out a shape approaching the tent. I struggle to make out what it is until it’s almost right in front of the deck. It’s a giant hippo.
3.
A walking safari and close encounters with elephants at Kanga Expeditions.
Today I’m to move camps to Kanga for the next few days, an “expedition” camp located further inland beside a watering hole. It’s away from the river, but I’m excited to explore another part of the park, to visit another camp. But this morning I’m still at Nyamatusu and I’ve booked a walking safari before I go.
4.
Elephant encounters and explorations along a dry river bed.
We begin our day driving back to the dry river bed where we left the lions the night before. Brian is curious to see if they’ve come back.
5.
A final few hours in Mana Pools & the flight back to Harare.
It’s a bittersweet morning as I pack my bags one last time and carry them to the lodge. Brian is waiting for me and we load them into the vehicle. I head to breakfast and eat a few things before meeting him again for our final drive of the trip.