Lower Zambezi (Zambia) and Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Lower Zambezi | Mana Pools | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Zambia | Zimbabwe |
| Type | National park | National park |
| Approx. area | 4,092 km² | — |
| Best time | August to October | August to October |
| Suggested stay | 3–4 days | 3–5 days |
| Main gateway airport | Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) | Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (Harare) (HRE) |
| Big Five | Not all five | Not all five |
| Malaria | Malaria area: see a travel doctor | Malaria area: see a travel doctor |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Lower Zambezi | Mana Pools |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| February | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| March | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| April | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ some rain |
| May | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| June | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| July | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| August | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| September | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| October | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| November | ★★★★★ some rain | ★★★★★ some rain |
| December | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
How to choose
Choose Lower Zambezi if
- you want boat safaris and night drives
Choose Mana Pools if
- you want camping
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Lower Zambezi or Mana Pools?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see.
When is the best time for each?
Lower Zambezi: August to October. Mana Pools: August to October.
Sources: Zambia Tourism - Lower Zambezi National Park · Climates to Travel (1991-2020 normals) - Kariba (Zambezi valley proxy) · ZimParks - Mana Pools National Park · UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Mana Pools, Sapi and Chewore
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.