National Parks of Zimbabwe

Mana Pools

Achieved NP status 1975. Situated below Lake Kariba: 2200km2 with 70km of Zambezi frontage. The meandering Zambezi forms rich alluvial flood plains and terraces. Inland pools, open grasslands and mixed woodlands cover the valley floor. Unique ecosystem of sweet grasses, jesse scrub and open woodlands. Supports huge numbers of game - giraffe, wildebeest and hartebeest excepted for no known reason. 12,000 elephant, 8000 buffalo and numerous hippo and crocodile. 380 different water and woodland birds. African skimmers and Carmine bee-eaters breed here; Fish eagles common.

Visitor numbers are restricted; Mana only opens during dry season (April - November). Game drives, unaccompanied walks, fishing and, most popularly, canoeing are available. About 12 operators offer up to 5-day trips down the river. NP camping sites and a few chalets on the riverbank and inland. Two private luxury lodges with alfresco bathtubs and riverside bars.

Matobo

43,200ha of cultural and natural importance. A candidate for World Heritage status. King Mzilikazi and Cecil Rhodes are among those buried here.

The similarity between the smooth granite, whaleback boulders (dwalas) and the shaven domes of his warriors led Mzilikazi to the name amatobo - 'the bald ones'. Balancing rock towers, formed by erosion, contain innumerable smooth-walled caves. Below lie densely wooded valleys, numerous streams and grassy marshlands. Intense botanical variety: many trees and shrubs (some endemic), lichens, aloes, wild herbs and flowers and more than 100 grass species.

Over 175 bird, 88 mammal, 39 snake and 16 fish species. Africa's highest concentration of Black eagles (and probably of leopard). Good scenic drives and excellent hiking and horse-riding among the hills. Stone Age rock paintings of incredible diversity and animation. Fully equipped lodges, chalets, camping sites and a guesthouse. Private lodges around the boundary offer tours.

Matusadona

A 1407km2 lakeshore park, 20km from Kariba town. Best reached by boat. Cut by the rugged Zambezi escarpment. Bounded by the verdant valleys of the Ume and Sanyati Rivers, both partly flooded by Lake Kariba's waters. Plateau covered by open, mixed woodlands, jesse bush and plains with swards of torpedo (panicum) grass.

About 300 animal species, including Big Five, crocodile, hippo and cheetah. 240 different birds (many Fish eagles); at least 20 species of angling fish.

3-4 day backpacking, guided game-viewing hikes; boat trips up the fjord-like Sanyati Gorge. Private safari lodges and three exclusive camps. Rustic overnight huts and camp sites. A CAMPFIRE project offers traditional Shona fare.