1

Mana from Vic Falls is quite an expedition and I think that you will have to go via Harare.

The Mana NP HQ is quite a way outside the NP - about 50 miles from the public campsite. I doubt if there is public transport into the NP although you may be able to get a lift but you will have to take EVERYTHING - tents, food etc etc.

Once at the campsite I'm not sure that there are NP game drives - most visitors are either self-drive or with a group.

What about the other side of the Zambezi - Lower Zambezi NP in Zambia ? It's easy to get to Lusaka from Livingstone and then there's public transport towards Chirundu. Many lodges will meet you off the bus.

2

John in Brum is quite right - it will be a mission to get across from Vic Falls to Mana Pools.

I know of no way of getting to Mana Pools other than with one's own or a rented vehicle - and I would not recommend doing it in a vehicle other than a sturdy 4x2 or preferably a 4x4. The only other possibility is to do it through a safari company (either a land safari or a canoe safari). The HQ and booking office being so far away from the park itself does not help either.

As John says, getting to Chirundu is possible through Zambia. But then you have to get to the office (about 50km) and then backtrack (10km) to the turnoff to the park. Then another long trip (about 40km) on very rough gravel roads to the park.

The alternative route along the southern side of Lake Kariba that may be possible from Vic Falls to Cross-roads (south of Hwange on the A8) then north-east to Mlibizi where there might be a ferry across to Kariba (a 22 hour trip if I remember correctly). You would have to check when and if Kariba Ferries are operating the ferry. From Kariba you should be able to find some form of transport to Makuti on the A1. There you turn north for some 10km to Morongora, where you will find the Mana Pools Offices. Then another 10km or so to the turnoff to the park and then another 40km or so (that is a guess) to the reception at the park.
Of course, instead of taking the ferry to Kariba you might be able to continue by bus to Karoi and then turn north on the N1.

I can see you getting to Morongoro by hook or by crook, but I don't see how you can get to the park itself. And once in the park you will be stuck in the camp unless you can pal up with other campers - off course you would have to have your own camping equipment, tent, food, water etc.

I honestly do not think it is practical proposition. If you do manage to get there please respond on this thread to tell us how you did it.

3

Thanks for the info. Now I know that transpport from Victoria Falls to Mana id difficult not easy and long way. So I try to get the car with driver (?) Two ways from Harare to the Park and come back. Who know how much is it will be? Charter is about 1 800 $ one way; is not possible to us ( 2 persons). So rent a car with driver.(?). And second.: what about Goliath camp and acitivities? Is not easy to visit Mana Pool but I think it s the park no like in Kenia, Namibia, Uganda. True? The best for everybody. Grazyna

4

http://www.goliathsafaris.com/index.html

Goliath Safaris seems to be an excellent idea. Why not contact them and find out whether they can accommodate you and whether they can advise on how to get there or from where they would pick you up at, say, Kariba or Chirundu.
My wife and I have camped at Mana Pools on three occasions and to us it is like no other park (although we have not been to East Africa). We both feel as though it must be very similar to the Garden of Eden of biblical times. But we chose not to camp in the main camp, but to camp in one of the four private camps sites further up the river (Mucheni 1, 2, 3 and 4), where our nearest neighbours were more than 500 meters away. Unfenced, with only a brick table and fire-place and a long-drop toilet some distance from the camp-site, on the banks of the river, it was absolute heaven.
To rent a car with driver would be very expensive as that would not just be for the transfer to Mana Pools and back, but the driver would also have to stay with you for the duration of your visit.

5

I have recently been looking at organising a trip to Goliath (via a UK agent) and eventually gave up due to the cost of transfers. Goliath offer no assistance with pick ups or transfers- most of their guests fly in. The best the agent could organise was a road transfer from Lusaka to Chirundu (through a Zambian company) and then a boat transfer into the park (through Wilderness safaris). All the transfers were coming to about $1000.

I've given up and am going back to South Luangwa instead.

6

SG : Perhaps it's time to change your name to "luangwagirl" ? Good job you're not a blonde - I think that tag is copyrighted !

7

luangwabrunette perhaps?

8

hi, thanks for everybody,
I think get the transport: car+ driver 4x4 from Harare to Mana Pools and come back after 2 days for 600 $ the car all included. Transport is just to Goliath camp. Its much but... What You think about it? Maybe sonmebody want to go with us for this price ( we are two) it will be about 8 june.
Grazyna

9

Have you taken into account the cost of staying at Goliath Camp and the cost of their tailor-made safaris?

10

hi,
it only for transport - 600 $ two ways, the price for staing and sarfaris Goliath give...see interent or write them. Wow, it money!.... But I hope it will be wonderfull! So if somebody will do safaris with Goliath we can take a car together about 8 june from Harare - come back to Harare 10 or 11 june.
Grazyna

11

Hi, I am also trying to find a cheap way into Mana in July. Did you have any luck? I will be staying with Goliath (I have done so many times) and this is the first year they have not offered transfers from Harare. That said - Goliath is incredible, as is Mana and you will not regret it.

12

Try emailing Makuti Lodge. Ask if they know of a solution to this problem. You can always get mass transportation of sorts to the lodge from Lusaka, Harare or Kariba. Next, I would try Zambezi Breezers near Chirundu Zambia. If no joy there, try Tiger Safaris, which has a lodge 2kms from Chirundu Zimbabwe. Maybe they will do a transfer to Mana Pools in one of their boats. Or....Try River Horse Safaris. They do transfers out of Lusaka in Mini Buses.

African Bush Camps has scheduled flights from Kariba to Mana Pools.

13

OR Contact a couple Zimbabwe based travel agents. Ask them if they have affordable transfers to Mana Pools and book your safari with them.
Nyati Travel and Tours
Zambezi Guided Tours
Premier Travel
Off2Africa
http://www.gokariba.com/

Hersov Tours is a Road Transfer Company that is based in Kariba. They offer road transfers from Harare and Lusaka. Mana Pools??? www.mydestination.com/zimbabwe/services/138298/hersov-tours