Unguided walks banned at Zim's Mana Pools due to tourists' bad behaviour

Cape Town - The Zimbabwe Park and National Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) has announced that unguided walking in the Mana Pools National Park, in the lower part of Zimbabwe's Zambezi river region, is no longer allowed. 

The ban comes after a number of incidents involving reckless behaviour from tourists and unauthorized personnel forced ZimParks authorities to act. These included unlicensed tour operators, commercial photography in the park, unauthorized off-road driving and the chasing and crowding of the wildlife, according to ETNW reports.

ZimParks said the ban will take immediate effect and the public will now no longer be able to walk without an accompanying guide. Walking within the immediate surroundings of exclusive camps, picnic sites, viewing areas and short distances from a vehicle and fishing sites on the river would still be allowed.

In February, Traveller24 reported that the Mana Pools National Park had undergone a noticeable deterioration caused by increasing abuse of the unique park due to unsanctioned and uncontrolled human activities. These included visitors urinating on the river banks and leaving toilet paper behind, according to Facebook posts the Zambezi Society's page.

READ: Bad tourist behaviour spoiling pristine Zim park

While the Zambezi Society says the culprits causing the issues appear to be in the minority, it admits the incidents have grown along with the park’s popularity. 

The Zambezi society says it wants to reach a compromise with ZimParks regarding free walking in the park, an activity named as a visitor favourite in a number of TripAdvisor reviews, praising the "up-close and personal" wild life experience it allows.

The Zambezi Society's has suggested a specific Code of Conduct aimed at ensuring responsible, un-escorted walking in the park in the hopes that the ban of unguided walks in the Mana Pools National Park can be overturned. 

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