Travel advisory · ZimbabweSome governments advise against travel to parts of Zimbabwe.The warnings cover only these areas: Marange diamond mining area.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Marange diamond mining area · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, France
Also named by one government: Northern border with Mozambique (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against travel | Jul 15, 2026 | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Jun 27, 2023 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No travel warning; normal precautions | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Mana Pools National Park
Guided walks and canoe trips on the Zambezi let you see elephants, hippos and dry-season wildlife around floodplain pools in northern Zimbabwe.
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Mana Pools sits on the south bank of the Zambezi River in northern Zimbabwe, facing Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park across the water. Its floodplain pools, riverside elephant herds and mix of open grassland and mopane woodland draw wildlife to the water. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walking and canoe safaris with a licensed guide are a core part of a visit. Lions, leopards, hippos, crocodiles and many bird species live in the park. Ana trees (Faidherbia albida) along the riverbanks lose their leaves in the rains and leaf out in the dry season. The trip suits travelers who want a quiet, outdoor safari with few stops. The dry season, June to October, is the usual choice, when animals gather near the river and pools. Three to four nights suits a first visit.
Mana Pools National Park in five
- Book a licensed guide for every walkWalks in Mana Pools must be led by a licensed, armed guide. Ask the operator who the guide is, how many walkers are in the group and what the walk includes before you pay.Tours and tickets
- Carry small US dollar notesCamp fees, tips and small purchases are easier to settle in US dollars, and small notes are easier to spend. Ask your camp which payments it accepts before you arrive.Money and costs
- Set up offline maps before you leaveMobile signal fades along the Zambezi and inside the park. Download offline maps and keep a printed copy of your booking and permit details.Phones and eSIM
- Drive a 4x4 or fly inRoads into the park are sandy and rough, and they can become impassable in the rains. Check road conditions with your operator before you set out, or fly in to a park airstrip to skip the drive.Getting around
- Ask a travel clinic about malariaThe Zambezi Valley is a malaria area. Ask a travel clinic which prevention suits you, and use a mosquito net and repellent in camp.
Need to know
- Currency
- US dollar (USD) and Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG, ZWG)
- Entry
- Visa or e-visa needed by most passports; check your nationality first
- Emergency
- Ask your camp or operator for local police and ambulance contacts before you travel
- Tipping
- Tips for guides and camp staff are customary; ask whether service is included
- Time
- UTC+2, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy, roads poor
- FebruaryRainy, green
- MarchRains ending
- AprilGreen, cooling
- MayDry, cooling
- JuneCool, dry
- JulyCool, dry
- AugustDry, game gathers
- SeptemberHot, dry
- OctoberHot, dry
- NovemberFirst rains
- DecemberRainy season
Right now in Mana Pools National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
23
- Feels like
- 20°
- Humidity
- 30%
- Wind
- 10 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Mana Pools National Park
11:56 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today39°24°0%Monday: Clear. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue39°24°0%Tuesday: Clear. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed39°26°0%Wednesday: Clear. High 39°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu39°27°0%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 39°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri40°27°2%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 40°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat41°26°12%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 41°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sun41°25°26%Sunday: Drizzle. High 41°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 26%.
Updated 11:47 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Mana Pools National Park
Rules for Mana Pools National Park, checked
- Walk only with a licensed, armed guide; walking alone in the park is not allowed.
- Keep your distance from elephants, hippos and buffalo, and follow your guide's instructions at all times.
- Taking wildlife products, plants or other protected material out of Zimbabwe is illegal.
- Check drone and camera-permit rules with Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority before you fly or film commercially.
- Check Zimbabwe visa and entry requirements for your nationality with the Department of Immigration before you travel.
Plan around Mana Pools National Park
Country overview, entry basics and where the park sits
Read the guideGetting aroundRoutes to the park by 4x4, air and road transfer
Read the guideMoney and costsWhat to carry, what to pay in cash and what to budget
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa and e-visa rules before you book flights
Read the guideWhere to stayCamps and lodges in and around the park
Read the guideTours and ticketsGuided walks, safaris and what each one includes
Read the guideMana Pools National Park FAQ
Can you walk in Mana Pools without a guide?
No. Walking in the park has to be done with a licensed, armed guide. Book the walk through your camp or a licensed operator, and ask who the guide is before you pay.
When is the best time to visit Mana Pools?
The dry season, June to October, is the usual choice. Days are dry, and animals gather along the river as the water drops. Roads can be poor in the rains, roughly December to February.
Do you need a 4x4 to get to Mana Pools?
Self-drive visitors need a high-clearance 4x4 for the sandy tracks. If you do not want to drive, fly in to a park airstrip or book a transfer through your camp.
How many days do you need in Mana Pools?
Three to four nights gives you time for game drives, a guided walk and a canoe trip on the Zambezi if your camp offers one. Add a day at each end for the journey in and out.
Can you camp in Mana Pools?
Yes, in designated camps and campsites. Camps set their own rules for wildlife, fires and walking, so ask before you arrive.