Astonishing Birdlife of Mana Pools National Park

You may have heard whisperings about which places offer the most spectacular wildlife experiences but we can tell you that it’s certainly difficult to beat Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is linked to the Zambezi River, which feeds a network of wildlife watering holes as well as nesting sites. So pack in your binoculars and telephoto lenses to get ready for the over 350 bird species flitting through Mana Pools.

Banks of the River

The southern carmine bee-eater is a colourful bird and one of three bee-eaters, including the white-fronted bee-eater, that are commonly found in the area. These small birds live in holes created in the sand of the river banks where they nest. You can see these little creatures up-close while canoeing or kayaking along the waters. If your camp happens to be on the river banks, you may even be lucky enough to glimpse an owl or two, particularly Pel’s fishing owl and the Verreaux’s eagle-owl (otherwise known as the giant eagle-owl).

One of the most popular birds to spot on the Zambezi is the African fish eagle that swoops down over the waters in search of fish, as its name suggests. The African skimmer, on the other hand, breeds on the exposed sand banks from April to December. Other birds to look out for include the spur-winged plover and the red-billed quelea.

If you’re lounging at camp there’s also a good chance of seeing the purple-banded sunbird, the white-bellied sunbird and (although on much rarer occasion in mid-summer) Shelley’s sunbird. These small birds are known for their glossy, almost metallic feathers that make them easy to spot, though their size makes them difficult to photograph.

The Woodlands

Another large predatory bird to look out for is the Ayres’s hawk-eagle which resides in the Nyamatusi Wilderness Area and boasts a wingspan between 55 and 65cm in length. Also in this region is the the Livingstone’s flycatcher that frequents the banks with cooler riverine temperatures but lives higher up in the trees.

Smaller birds living in the Mopane woodland include Arnot’s chat and the racket-tailed roller which sports a stunning baby-blue front. Some exquisite finds would be Lilian’s lovebird (flaunting bright green and orange plumage), the red-throated twinspot (showcasing a peculiar mix of red feathers and white-on-black polka dots) as well as the black-throated wattle-eye (with a red ‘eye-shadow’ effect to match its name).

Book your trip to Mana Pools National Park where you’ll discover a plethora of colourful and enchanting birds, completing a once-in-a-lifetime wilderness experience made for safari-lovers everywhere. It’s also a wonderful idea to bring a guidebook along for children to check off their sightings. Read a personal account of the park experience on our blog to find out more.