Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem
Key Facts
Countries
Zimbabwe
Area
9 572 km²
Management Model
Integrated Co-management
The Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem protects one of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness landscapes. Centred on the Zambezi River, the ecosystem is renowned for its exceptional concentrations of elephant, buffalo, lion and endangered African wild dog, which move across vast floodplains, riverine forests and seasonal wetlands. It is one of the few places in Africa where visitors can experience wildlife on foot in a truly wild setting, creating an immersive wilderness experience recognised globally for its ecological and tourism value.
The Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem brings together Mana Pools National Park and the surrounding safari areas under a single long-term management vision.
In 2023, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and Peace Parks signed a 20-year integrated co-management agreement, establishing the Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust and creating a new model for managing the ecosystem as one connected landscape. Rather than managing individual protected areas in isolation, the partnership strengthens governance, protection, tourism and conservation across the entire ecosystem.
Centred on the Zambezi River and forming part of the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transfrontier Conservation Area, the ecosystem is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. It represents a new chapter in one of Zimbabwe’s greatest natural assets.
Focus Areas
Our focus areas below reflect some of the long-term work underway in the Greater Mana Pools Ecosystem.
Integrated Co-management
Building the Greater Mana Pools Conservation Trust and strengthening long-term governance.
Tourism Development
Enhancing visitor infrastructure and strengthening one of Zimbabwe’s most important tourism destinations.
Wildlife Protection
Strengthening law enforcement and protected area management across the wider ecosystem.
Community Partnership
Working with neighbouring communities to improve livelihoods and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
Sustainable Conservation Finance
Building resilient revenue streams to support the ecosystem long into the future.
Stories from Greater Mana Pools
Conservation at this scale cannot be done alone.
Long-term conservation depends on partners prepared to invest in the future of these landscapes through funding, expertise, technology and long-term commitment.