Zimbabwe Safari Update: Mana Pools access routes currently impassable

last update 14 April 2026 

Access to Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe remains severely restricted following extensive flood damage across the Zambezi Valley. The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has not yet confirmed a reopening date, with most main access routes still impassable due to damaged roads and infrastructure. While a handful of safari operators continue to run limited fly-in or boat-transfer access to select camps, self-drive travel into Mana Pools is currently not feasible. Travellers are advised to postpone near-term visits and plan for the mid- to late-2026 dry season, when conditions are expected to stabilise and access is more likely to be restored. 

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Travellers planning a visit to Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe should reconsider their itineraries for the coming weeks, as severe weather has significantly impacted access to the park.

According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), heavy rains across the Zambezi Valley have caused extensive infrastructure damage. Key access routes into Mana Pools are currently impassable, with major disruptions including:

• Structural damage to the Rukomechi Bridge
• Washed-out sections of the access road beyond the Runese River
• Severe deterioration of multiple primary park entry roads

What this means for travellers

If you have a confirmed booking for March or April 2026, immediate action is recommended:

• Contact ZimParks or your lodge operator to reschedule your trip
• Request credit notes or alternative travel dates, where available
• Monitor updates closely, as repair timelines remain uncertain

Self-drive travellers, particularly those considering spontaneous or “walk-in” visits, are strongly advised to postpone travel plans until conditions improve and access is safely restored.

Traveller Insight

Mana Pools National Park is one of Africa’s most sought-after wilderness destinations, especially during the dry season (June–October). While the current disruption is significant, it is also seasonal and weather-driven, meaning access is likely to be restored ahead of peak safari months.

If your schedule is flexible, consider shifting your visit to mid-2026 onward for optimal wildlife viewing and improved road conditions.

 

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Zimbabwe: Peace Parks Foundation & ZimParks sign 20-Year agreement to co-manage the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem!

The Peace Parks Foundation and the Zimbabwe Parks and the Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) have signed a Co-Management Agreement for the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem in Zimbabwe. This 20-year agreement aims to unlock meaningful and critically needed cooperation to protect unique ecosystems, enable community development, and cultivate a robust, sustainable wildlife economy within Mana Pools and surrounds. It also represents a policy-level agreement, in addition to planning and implementation that will ultimately result in healthy people living in a healthy landscape.
As part of the agreement, the Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust for management, capacity building and business development will be established. A dedicated Board of Trustees will take the lead in managing the natural resources within the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem. This brings a diverse approach, allowing the area to be managed in a business-like manner that attracts investment, creates employment, drives development and, ultimately, sustainability.

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The Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem occupies 9,636 km² of the total 18,515 km² Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area. Mana Pools National Park covers approximately 2,196 km² and is one of the world’s greatest natural splendours. Together with five safari areas and the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia it forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area was formally established in May 2023 through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe: Elephant numbers in the Zambezi Valley drop by 75%!

According to the latest findings of the Africa-wide Great Elephant Census, which surveyed all major elephant populations in Africa in 2014, Zimbabwe's elephants in the Zambezi Valley have declined dramatically. There has been a 75% decline in the numbers of elephants in the Zambezi Valley south of Lake Kariba (Sebungwe area) since 2001 and a a 40% decline in elephant numbers in the Middle Zambezi Valley, near Mana Pools. The numbers of elephants in the Sebungwe area decreased from 14,000 (2001) to 3,500 (2014) while elephant numbers in the Middle Zambezi Valley, including Mana Pools, decreased from 18,000 (2001) to 11,500 (2014).

A recent census in Mozambique revealed that the country has lost around 50% of its elephants between 2009 (20,000) and 2014 (10,300), while Tanzania even lost 60% in the same period from 109,051 in 2009 to 43,330 in 2014.

Zimbabwe: ZIMParks introduced approved tariffs for 2013

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, ZIMParks, has issued its approved tariffs for 2013. Private visitors and tour operators’ clients for Mana Pools National Park, Gonarezhou National Park and the Rainforest area of the Victoria Falls & Zambezi National Park will now have to pay a daily conservation fee. Visitors to all other parks have to pay a single day entry fee to cover up to 5 days (instead of 7) and the daily overnight fee. Persons not resident in Zimbabwe are required to pay in foreign currency. All charges include 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) and 2% tourism levy for locals where applicable and 2% tourism levy for non-residents clients. For more info on the (new) tariffs, download this pdf by ZIMParks.

ZIMParks to introduce a "Carry In-Carry Out" policy in Mana Pools National Park

update (29 March 2012): The Carry In Carry Out project has been officially launched in the Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. From now on, all visitors to the park will be given a rubbish bag and be required to bring out their rubbish.

Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, ZIMParks, has adpoted the environmentally conscious "Carry In-Carry Out" policy for Mana Pools National Park.
The "Carry In-Carry Out" initiative, which has been on trial in the park since March 2011, requires visitors of the Mana Pools National Park to take their all their litter, such as bottles, cans and plastics, with them when they leave the park. All visitors to Mana Pools are therefore receiving a complimentary refuse bag when they are checking it.
ZIMParks is planning to introduce the "Carry In-Carry Out" policy in other national parks before the end of 2012.

Mana Pools National Park: Anthrax outbreak kills at least 165 animals

Due to an anthrax outbreak over the past few weeks in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park in the lower Zambezi Valley more than 165 animals have died. According to the RSOE EDIS Emergency and Disaster Information Service, the death of elephants, hippos, buffaloes and kudus was confirmed by ZimParks public relations manager Ms Caroline Washaya-Moyo.
The most affected areas in the Mana Pools National Park are Chikwenya and Sapi, which are located on the shoreline as well as islands near Mana Pools.

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Lab testing of samples from the dead game confirmed in the meanwhile that 88 hippos definitely died of anthrax and experts are suspecting that the death of further 45 Buffaloes, 30 elephants and two Kudus was most likely also caused by the desease.
The situation is now under control. The areas are sealed off and the carcasses of the dead animals are getting burned to prevent any further spread.

Zimbabwe: Mana Pools National Park hit by flooding

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority officials are asking all visitors to check with their central reservations office before travelling to Mana Pools National Park in Northern Zimbabwe as they are experiencing flooding in the Park due to persistent heavy rains and the opening of the flood gates on the Kariba Dam wall.

For further information please contact their customer services team on:

• Toll free line 0800 3222 344
• 0772 130 074, 0772 130 079, 04-706077/8, 707625-9 (it seems that all # are not working)
• http://www.zimparks.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=25 (contacts on ZimParks.com website)
• E-mail: reservations@zimparks.co.zw or pr@zimparks.co.zw

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