Hwange vs. Mana Pools – Zimbabwe’s top two safari destinations

Zimbabwe has plenty of nature reserves and national parks to choose from, each boasting an array of diverse and beautiful landscapes. If you’re after the very best safari experiences in Zimbabwe, two corners of the country offer world-class safari game viewing – Hwange and Mana Pools national parks. These parks are true pioneers of ecosystem and wildlife protection, and the quality of guiding in both is high, as the pro-level guides are legendary.

Hwange, is in the far west of the country, on the border with Botswana. It’s the country’s oldest park and stakes its claim as Zimbabwe’s finest safari area, home to vast herds of elephant and sensational year-round game viewing. Mana Pools is, and I don’t use this word lightly, iconic. Few parts of Africa are as wild and distinctive – so alive with monstrously big trees, huge elephant herds, thunderous rivers, and mountain backdrops. The light against all these wonders is a photographer’s dream, and the sense of adventure is palpable when you’re on the ground here!

Below, I outline the main differences between the two parks, hopefully helping anyone who can’t choose between them. I’ll also share insight on the benefits of combining both in one safari trip.

Hwange offers the best game viewing in Zimbabwe. The mix of top guiding and multiple elephant sightings usually wins most people over! The park is kept wonderfully hydrated by an ingenious underground network of pumps, which feed various watering holes. Many of the lodges are located next to (or close by) one of these water sources, which are a magnet for wildlife.

With many local settlements surrounding the park boundaries, Hwange is also an excellent place to visit and learn about how communities live alongside wildlife. Imvelo’s and Wilderness’ camps have forged excellent relationships with villages, and you can have really authentic cultural experiences here. Another advantage of Hwange is that it’s within easy travel distance of Victoria Falls, so you can enjoy a couple of nights at the Falls before or after your Hwange safari. Air links between neighbouring safari countries, including Botswana, are also very efficient.

Mana Pools is a park that any adventurous safari-goer simply has to visit. It’s up there with the Okavango Delta in terms of all its awe-inspiring natural beauty. You’re on the banks of the Zambezi River, which sustains nutrient-rich, alluvial soil floodplains, riverine forests, sandy islands, and albida forests. Scenically, it’s spectacular, with the mountain escarpment on the Zambian side forming a superb backdrop. While Hwange is known for its sheer numbers of elephants, Mana Pools is famous for its up-close encounters with them.

Walking safaris in Mana Pools are some of the finest on the continent. The guides have a level of knowledge of the area that’s encyclopaedic, and the wildlife is outstanding. This is also a great location for potentially seeing wild dog and an array of birdlife. Boating safaris on the Zambezi River also add a lovely dimension to your safari. If you like a spot of fishing, the huge tiger fish here are epic! Mana Pools is truly remote, which adds to its charm. Photographers will be drawn here for the famous and magical ‘blue haze’, which is a spectral, blue-tinted light that filters through the dense canopies of the albida trees.

Why visit? Hwange boasts exceptional guides, large numbers of elephant, lion, cheetah, sable, and roan, bush walks, photographic hides, the Elephant Express railway, and easy access to Victoria Falls.

What does it do best? Elephant sightings, great value, convenient location, no need for flights (although I do recommend them), and insights into neighbouring community life.

Top lodges in or near Hwange:

• Davisons Camp
• Hwange Bush Camp 
• Little Makalolo
• Camp Hwange
• Somalisa

If you’re going to choose between the two parks, an important consideration is travel access and budget. For the most part, you’ll need a light aircraft flight to visit Mana Pools, whereas Hwange is conveniently located near Victoria Falls and Bulawayo (where spending some time at Matobo Hills works really well). This means that Hwange can easily be incorporated into a ‘road transfer only’ safari, which is quite rare in the region. Having said that, I am a fan of flying as I believe it’s a big part of the visual experience and also maximises your time in the bush.

The time of year you travel may impact your choice of park. Our safari specialists will be able to advise on the best wildlife location for your travel dates. Hwange is a year-round safari destination, with its many watering holes offering superb ‘green season’ wildlife viewing. The ‘dry season’ is the best time of year for Hwange, however, as wildlife gathers in even larger numbers around these waterholes.

Mana Pools is much more seasonal, and most camps are closed from November/December to March/April. The rest of the year offers fantastic game viewing, with July to September being the best months. It does become increasingly hot heading into October, though.

I hope this has helped anyone who’s struggling to decide whether to visit Mana Pools or Hwange. My recommendation is, of course, to visit both! The contrasts between the two, both in activities and topography, make for an exceptional and well-rounded trip, giving you the optimum game-viewing experience. If you’d like to discuss a safari to Zimbabwe, don’t hesitate to contact Yellow Zebra here.