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Mana Pools on Foot
Private Tour 4 days

Mana Pools on Foot

Walking days in Africa's last great wilderness

Duration4 Days
Region1
Max guests8
Activity levelChallenging
Priced per personFrom $2,400per person
Best monthsApril to October (cooler, dry conditions)

Overview

One of the few places you can walk freely in big game country. Led by a top walking guide through riverine forests where elephants stand on hind legs for acacia pods and wild dogs hunt the floodplains.

On-Foot Big Five Encounters
Expert Walking Guide
Riverside Camp Under Stars
Dawn And Dusk Game Walks

Why book direct with ZimTravellers?

Owner-plannedYou deal with Josh, directly
Generations deepFive generations in Zimbabwe
Private by defaultYour guide, your vehicle
A direct lineMessages answered by Josh himself

Itinerary

Day by day.

One of the few places you can walk freely in big game country. Led by a top walking guide through riverine forests where elephants stand on hind legs for acacia pods and wild dogs. The journey begins and ends in Harare.

MANA POOLS
Day 1

Arrival & Orientation Walk

Guests sitting with a guide beneath a tree, watching elephants on foot in Mana Pools

Arrive at Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned as Africa's most pristine wilderness. Meet your walking guide and settle into camp on the Zambezi's banks. An afternoon orientation walk introduces the landscape: floodplain, pools, and the tracks and signs that reveal the movements of elephants, lions, and other wildlife.

CAMPING IN MANA POOLS

Day 2

Full Day Predator Tracking

Wild elephant Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe UNESCO World Heritage

Spend an entire day on foot tracking predators through Mana Pools' wilderness. Your guide reads the landscape for signs of lions, leopards, and painted dogs. Movement is slow and mindful, every track and bush scrutinised. Lunch is eaten under ancient albida trees, the shade and silence deepening your connection to this wild place.

CAMPING IN MANA POOLS

Day 3

Morning Walk & Afternoon Canoe

canoe safari elephant Mana Pools Zambezi River Zimbabwe paddling adventure

An early morning walk captures the light and the wildlife activity of dawn. Return to camp and board a canoe for an afternoon paddling the Zambezi channels, where elephants wade and hippos surface, offering a different perspective on Mana Pools' ecosystem.

CAMPING IN MANA POOLS

Day 4

Sunrise Walk & Departure

Wild elephant Mana Pools National Park Zimbabwe UNESCO World Heritage

Your final morning brings a sunrise walk capturing the mist and the light breaking over the floodplain. Pack camp and depart knowing you've walked one of Africa's greatest remaining wilderness areas on foot—the most intimate way to know the bush.

Guests sitting with a guide beneath a tree, watching elephants on foot in Mana Pools
Guests sitting with a guide beneath a tree, watching elephants on foot in Mana Pools
Mana Pools: Elephant, trunk raised
Mana PoolsElephant, trunk raised
Mana Pools: Elephant reaching into the winterthorn
Mana PoolsElephant reaching into the winterthorn
Mana Pools: Couple canoeing
Mana PoolsCouple canoeing
Where you will stay

Hand-picked, night by night.

Mana Pools destination setting; accommodation to be confirmedMana Pools · ZimbabweCamping in Mana PoolsDetails in your proposalDestination photograph. Camp confirmed in your proposal.

Things to know

Cancellation policy

30% charge (deposit) — 90+ days out.

50% charge — 61–90 days.

75% charge — 31–60 days.

A 30% deposit commits guides, permits and remote capacity.

Booking basics

Requested and confirmed within one working day.

Prices per person, based on two travelling together.

Private (max 8 guests).

Participation & safety

Age, fitness and equipment requirements form part of the booking.

The operator may cancel for weather or safety — new date or refund.

Physical level: Challenging.

Remote and specialist journey cancellation
  • A 30% non-refundable deposit is required because specialist guides, equipment and remote operating capacity are committed when your booking is confirmed.
  • If we receive your written cancellation more than 90 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 30% of the total booking price.
  • For cancellations received 61-90 days before departure, the charge is 50%.
  • For cancellations received 31-60 days before departure, the charge is 75%.
  • For cancellations received 30 days or fewer before departure, or if you fail to join the journey, the charge is 100%.
  • Any permit, flight, private camp or specialist service carrying stricter terms will be identified before payment and will apply to that component.
Participation requirements
  • The age, weight, fitness, mobility, health, clothing and equipment requirements shown on this page form part of the booking conditions.
  • A traveller who cannot participate because they do not meet a clearly disclosed requirement is not entitled to a refund.
  • Please disclose any relevant medical, mobility or accessibility requirement before booking so that we can confirm whether the experience is suitable.
Weather and safety
  • The final decision to operate rests with the licensed operator responsible for the activity.
  • If the operator cancels before the activity begins because conditions are unsafe or unsuitable, you may choose an available replacement date or receive a refund for the cancelled activity.
  • A route, departure time or activity sequence may be adjusted for safety without creating an automatic right to cancel, provided that the essential experience remains substantially the same.
  • If you choose not to participate while the operator confirms that the activity can operate safely, the normal customer-cancellation policy applies.
How booking works
  • Send your dates and party size — we confirm availability within one working day, usually sooner.
  • Nothing is charged until your booking is confirmed.
Deadlines are measured in calendar days, Central Africa Time, from the scheduled start of the first affected service. Cancellation must be submitted in writing. Full booking terms: zimtravellers.com/terms-of-service · Policy version 2026-07-11.v1

What’s included

Josh’s noteBucket List Experiences — Trips to the country's signature places — rare wildlife, deep silence, and the journeys travellers come back to remember.

Included

  • All accommodation as specified in the itinerary
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Professional armed walking guide and backup guide
  • National park entry fees
  • All transfers as described in the itinerary
  • All walking safaris and game drives as described
  • Mineral water during activities
  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance
  • Direct WhatsApp line to Josh — before, during and after the tour

Not included

  • International and domestic flights
  • Visa fees
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Personal expenses, souvenirs, and gratuities
  • Premium drinks and alcohol
  • Items of a personal nature

Practical

Best timeApril to October (cooler, dry conditions)
PaceChallenging
StartsHarare
EndsHarare
Group sizePrivate (max 8 guests)

4 DaysPriced per person from $2,400

WhatsApp Josh Send an enquiry