Chobe (Botswana) and Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Chobe | Mana Pools | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Botswana | Zimbabwe |
| Type | National park | National park |
| Approx. area | 11,700 km² | — |
| Best time | July to October | August to October |
| Suggested stay | 2–3 days | 3–5 days |
| Main gateway airport | Kasane Airport (BBK) | 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 | Chobe | Mana Pools |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| February | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| March | ★★★★★ rainy season | ★★★★★ rainy season |
| April | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ 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 Chobe if
- you are travelling in May, July and November to March
- you want boat safaris
- you hope to see cheetahs, giraffes, wildebeest, lechwe and sable antelope
Choose Mana Pools if
- you want walking safaris and canoeing
- you hope to see eland
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Chobe or Mana Pools?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see. Chobe is stronger in May, July and November to March.
When is the best time for each?
Chobe: July to October. Mana Pools: August to October.
Sources: Botswana Tourism - Chobe National Park · Botswana Tourism - Savuti and Linyanti · Climates to Travel (1991-2020 normals) - Kasane · ZimParks - Mana Pools National Park · UNESCO World Heritage Centre - Mana Pools, Sapi and Chewore · Climates to Travel (1991-2020 normals) - Kariba (Zambezi valley proxy)
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.