Mana means ‘four’, and it refers to the four large permanent pools formed by the meanderings
of the middle Zambezi. These 2 500 square kilometres of river frontage,
islands, sandbanks and pools, flanked by forests of mahogany, wild
figs, ebonies and baobabs, is one of the least developed national
parks in southern Africa. It is a scenically spectacular national
park with great cliffs overhanging the river and the Zambian escarpment
acting as a backdrop.
It was saved from a hydro-electric scheme in the early eighties which
would have seen the flooding of what is now a World Heritage site.
It has the country’s biggest concentration of hippo and crocodiles
and in the dry season, large populations of elephant and buffalo.
Sadly, what was once the densest population of endangered black rhino
in the world is being denuded by poaching despite manned ground patrols.
The park is only open to cars during the dry season months of May
to October. Rainy season access is by boat or foot.
Tours and lodges should be booked in advance and if you are camping, take
sufficient fuel, food and water with you. This really
is as wild a place as you will find in Zimbabwe.
|
 |
