When it came time for us to choose a name for our new travel business, we wanted it to evoke the same sense of awe and adventure in our future travel-buddies as we have experienced when touring some of the world’s most beautiful places. Top of the list was Mana Pools National Park.
This UNESCO World Heritage site, situated in the lower Zambezi River region of northern Zimbabwe, leaves us breathless each and every time we visit. The nature reserve is a haven for wildlife and is home to four of the famous “Big Five” - elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard. Sadly we will not see rhino in this park as the last remaining Black Rhinos were translocated out in the 1990s to protect them against rampant poaching. Pronounced "Marna" and meaning "four" in the local Shona language, the park gets its name from the four large permanent pools in the area, and between them and the mighty Zambezi River, attracts many species of antelope, their predators, and a myriad of birdlife.
But it is not just the animals that draw us back to Mana, it is the uniqueness of the viewing experience that makes this such a “must-do” on any safari. Unlike most nature reserves around the world that require you to stay in your vehicles, at Mana you can walk through the towering Acacia Albida forests, with or without a Guide. Denise & I both grew up in the bush and have learned to respect nature and our place as observers. We have learned that if you sit quietly, the animals will come to you - there is no need to chase after them.
If you are lucky, you will see one of the large elephant bulls that have adapted to the aridness of the region, by standing on their hind legs to reach the highest leaves and seed pods. King of these beasts is undoubtedly Boswell, an icon of Mana.
This photo from our 2017 safari captured Boswell’s majestic pose as the sun set on the hills of the Zambian escarpment.
There are several accommodation options at Mana Pools, from camping to 6-star glamping in one of the private concessions within the park. Each has its own character and we have enjoyed them all. The photos below capture the simplicity of camping with the basics and the rough and ready but comfortable national park lodges that we have stayed at in the past. These lodges are secured to keep out the pesky monkeys, (not thieves!), and the elephants give you a feeling of how close the animals get to you. It is no wonder that we chose this beautiful part of the world to name our company after.
The bird in our logo depicts the gorgeous Grey Crowned Crane which is not commonly found in the Mana Pools area. We rather associate this beautiful creature with the Hwange National Park on the Western side of Zimbabwe, but more on that interestingly named park, as well as some of the 6-star glamping and luxury lodges on offer on another day.