Canoe Safaris at Mana Pools National Park

We recommend canoeing in Mana Pools between May and September. The heat really sets in around October, with temperatures reaching over 100.4°F. Most of the camps we feature offer canoeing excursions as an optional activity, in addition to other river pursuits such as fishing, birding, and motorised boating excursions.

It is thrilling to spend a morning, an afternoon, or a full day out on the water. You can check out not only the features of the four main pools and their surrounds but also the mighty Zambezi River, rushing along the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Unless the river breeze is blowing directly towards your canoe, the going is generally not too tricky. There may be strong currents, but the guides will do their utmost to guarantee no one runs into difficulties. With two people per canoe, you can join forces during the rougher stretches and take turns with the more leisurely paddling. When you’re drifting downstream, you can both relax, enjoy a drink, and look out for wildlife!

Unfortunately, this activity is unsuitable for children. Paddling a fibreglass canoe is not difficult, but it is occasionally tiring even for an adult with a reasonable level of fitness. And a canoe trail frequently involves close encounters with wild animals, some of whom are unpredictable to the extent that there’s an element of risk. Any youngsters who like the sound of the experience are encouraged to put it on their wish list for when they are a bit older, then be sure to contact Yellow Zebra!

There really is a lot to see here, such as hippos wallowing in the shallows or grazing on the grassy banks – or one might emerge suddenly beside your boat, opening her mouth in a very wide yawn. You might spot several crocodiles crawling down the riverside and entering the water. And elephants are frequently seen here, quenching their thirst, bathing, and crossing in an orderly line. As for the birding, this is first rate! Among the highlights are rufous-bellied heron, spur-winged goose, long-toed plover, southern carmine bee-eater, and the majestic Pel’s fishing owl.

The trails we recommend for our travelers are undertaken in the company of an experienced and knowledgeable guide, armed to ensure your safety at all times. Ideally, this guide has both a license for canoe safari and a license for professional guiding, but sometimes two guides will be with you to cover the skillset. The advantage of being accompanied by a guide who holds a license for professional guiding is that you can stop off during your journey and enjoy a walking safari.

This adds a lot of value to the trip, as many land animals in Mana Pools become accessible – lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, buffalo, zebra, eland, impala, monkey, baboon. There are elephant in the forests too, including some big bulls that are very much at peace with the guides in the park! If you have time for a stroll, it’s highly recommended.

If this experience appeals, just get in touch with a member of the team here – we will be happy to help arrange a very exciting excursion for you!