7 Day Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls and Safari

Mpala Jena is a boutique safari camp positioned along the beautiful tree-laden banks of the Zambezi River. The camp epitomizes ‘barefoot luxury’ with playfully scalloped thatched roofs, soft sand floors and a beach bar overlooking the pool and river. A cool, calming colour palette compliments light natural textures and sets the scene for slow, in-the-moment living. Our tented guest suites, nestled in the shade of large Sausage and Jackalberry trees are generously appointed with a private deck and outdoor bath and shower.

The camp is located within the 56,000-hectare Zambezi National Park, home to an ever-increasing number of wildlife species that can be enjoyed on safari drives, boat cruises, walking trails or even while sipping cocktails from the swing chairs in camp.

Mpala Jena was created with a strong sustainability ethos and runs entirely off our solar plant and battery. Building materials and design elements were specified and sourced with a clear vision of minimizing embodied energy and transportation miles.

The camp is conveniently located 19 kilometres inside the Zambezi National Park, allowing easy access to Victoria Falls town by a 40-minute boat or road transfer. Mpala Jena also run guided tours of the Victoria Falls.

• Images
• Video
• Rooms
• Units
• Facilities
• Activities and Services

Mpala Jena Dining Room Credit: Great Plains Conservation

Mpala Jena Fire Pit on the banks of the Zambezi Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Fire Pit on the banks of the Zambezi

Aerial View of the Mpala Jena Concession & the Zambezi River Credit: Great Plains Conservation Aerial View of the Mpala Jena Concession & the Zambezi River

Boating on the Zambezi Credit: Great Plains Conservation Boating on the Zambezi

Elephant in Zambezi National Park Credit: Great Plains Conservation Elephant in Zambezi National Park

Mpala Jena Wildlife Drive Vehicle Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Wildlife Drive Vehicle

Mpala Jena Camp Staff Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Camp Staff

Waterbuck in Zambezi National Park Credit: Great Plains Conservation Waterbuck in Zambezi National Park

Mpala Jena Main Area Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Main Area

Mpala Jena Main Area Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Main Area

Mpala Jena Main Area Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Main Area

Mpala Jena Swimming Pool Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Swimming Pool

Mpala Jena Swimming Pool Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Swimming Pool overlooking the Zambezi River

Mpala Jena Fire Pit Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Fire Pit

Mpala Jena Outdoor dining on the banks of the Zambezi River Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Outdoor dining on the banks of the Zambezi River

Mpala Jena Dining Room Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena Dining Room overlooking the Zambezi River

Mpala Jena - refreshments during game drive Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena - refreshments during game drive

Mpala Jena - coffee stop during game drive Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena - coffee stop during game drive

Mpala Jena - refreshments during game drive Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena - refreshments during game drive

Mpala Jena - sundowners on the Zambezi River Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena - sundowners on the Zambezi River

Mpala Jena - located on the banks of the Zambezi River Credit: Great Plains Conservation Mpala Jena - located on the banks of the Zambezi River

Guest Suite

The three guest tented suites are located on the banks of the Zambezi River with views of the river frontage. Each suite has en-suite bathroom facilities, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. Decking in front of the tent leads to views of the calming and peaceful flowing waters of the Zambezi River.

Two bedroomed Family Suites

Family Suites are all under sand coloured, flowing canvas, with canopy ceilings and open (yet netted) views of the river frontage and are beautifully decorated by Tracy Kelly.

Each suite has a shaded, private veranda area and en-suite bathroom facilities, including an indoor shower, separate loo, and double basins. The highlight of the suites is the outdoor bathrooms with a beautiful bathtub and outdoor shower. Decking in front of the tent leads onto views of the Zambezi River’s calming and peaceful flowing waters.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool

Room Facilities

Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly

Available Services

Credit Card Facilities

Activities on Site

Bird Watching, Boating, Game Drives, Game Walks, Sailing, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours

Activities Nearby

Adrenaline Activities, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Game Viewing, General Sightseeing, Helicopter Rides, Helicopter Scenic Flights, River Cruises, Safaris, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided), Wildlife Tours

Wildlife Drives Dhow cruise Boating Guided Tour of Victoria Falls Catch-and-Release Fishing

Open vehicle safari drives in Zambezi National Park. The camp has custom built Land cruisers specially designed for photography. With just four to six guests each, the vehicles are fully stocked with reference books, drinks and snacks.

Mpala Jena’s wooden dhow, brought from the Zanzibar coast to Zimbabwe, is available for guests to enjoy when on a sunrise cruise or late afternoon sunset sail along the Zambezi River. The journey is a relaxed way of experiencing one of Africa's most iconic rivers whilst under sail. Guests head upriver from Mpala Jena, returning with the flow of the river as it flows toward the Victoria Falls in the distance. A wide selection of beverages and snacks are provided on the dhow, based on the guest's preference.

If need be, there is an external motor available. This experience is a seasonal offering, dependent on the waters of the Zambezi River. Life jackets are supplied.

Mpala Jena Camp has it's own 8-seater aluminum hulled motor boat perfect for sun-downer cruises.

During a two night stay, guests have the opportunity to enjoy a half-day guided excursion to the thunderous and impressive mass of falling water of the Victoria Falls.

This is a great activity for the whole family. Catch-and-release fishing is done from a boat with a captain, on the Zambezi River.

Deteema Springs Camp was opened in 2019, after the founders of Machaba Safaris saw an opportunity to create an intimate safari camp, in an incredible wildlife area, on a site which is hard to describe.

Deteema Springs Camp is located near the Deteema dam in north-western Hwange National Park. This area is famous for its large concentrations of animals, including elephant. Due to the existence of year-round water seeps, this area is ideal for walking and game drives, producing incredible wildlife sightings. Guests have the opportunity to travel on foot or in game vehicles to view this amazing area and also to view from the camp, Africa in its wildest form.

Deteema Springs is a tented camp with 8 luxury tents, 7 luxury double/twin tents and 1 luxury family tent. Children above 6 years of age are accepted.

• Images
• Video
• Rooms
• Facilities
• Activities and Services
• Restaurants

Aerial View of Camp Aerial View of Camp

Aerial view of the camp Credit: DeteemaSpringsCamp Aerial view of the camp

Aerial view of the camp Credit: DeteemaSpringsCamp Aerial view of the camp

Deteema at dusk Deteema at dusk

Walkways to main areas Walkways to main areas

Tent Deck Credit: DeteemaSpringsCamp Tent Deck

Tent bedroom Tent bedroom

Family tent Bedroom Family tent Bedroom

Pool area Pool area

View of an elephant and the camp View of an elephant and the camp

Balcony overlooking the seep Balcony overlooking the seep

View from your tent View from your tent

Sundowners and snack Sundowners and snack

Walking safari Walking safari

Game Drive Game Drive

Camp Fire Credit: Scott Ramsay Camp Fire Stories

Luxury Tented Suite Family Unit

The tents are smaller than the traditional Machaba style tent, fitting in with the surroundings of one of the most iconic parts of Hwange National Park. The tents are comfortable with all the facilities of a luxury camp, including hot and cold running water, flush toilet and decks.

The tents are smaller than the traditional Machaba style tent, fitting in with the surroundings of one of the most iconic parts of Hwange National Park. The tents are comfortable with all the facilities of a luxury camp, including hot and cold running water, flush toilet and decks.

Property Facilities

24-hour Security, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Disability Services, Eco Friendly, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Library, Mobile Connectivity, Pool, Private Vehicle (Available)

Room Facilities

Balcony / Deck, Bath, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Disabled Rooms, Dressing Gowns, En-Suite, Fan, Internet Access (Complimentary), Laundry Service (Complimentary), Lounge Area, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah, Wheelchair Friendly

Available Services

Airport Shuttle (Available), Credit Card Facilities

Activities on Site

Bird Watching, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Gourmet Picnic, High Tea, Night Drives, Safaris, Walks (Guided)

Activities Nearby

Adrenaline Activities, Bird Watching, Catch-and-release Fishing, Cultural Tours, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Helicopter Scenic Flights, Historical Tours, Mountain Biking, Natural History Tours, Scenic Flights, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Wildlife Tours

Morning and Evening Game Drives Walking Safaris Birding

This area is famous for its large concentrations of animals, including elephant. Due to the existence of year round water seeps, this area is ideal for game drives, producing incredible wildlife sightings.

Guide dependent walking safaris

Walking safaris are also conducted generally in the morning with armed guides. The walks are leisurely and time is taken to observe the smaller things in the bush that one normally misses when driving. Walking is weather dependent, or dependent on the condition of the terrain.

With over 420 species recorded Hwange National Park is a birding hotspot. The park is well known for its huge variety of raptors, grassland birds are well represented as well. From November to April yearly the park is flooded with migratory birds from Europe and northern Africa.

Dining Area

Our dining area tent is located with perfect views of passing elephant or grazing antelope infront of the camp. Guests can either dine individually or with the other guests - which we like to encourage as guests can share stories of their day in the bush.

The 118,000-hectare private Sapi Concession was awarded to Great Plains Conservation to manage and look after in 2016 and was immediately converted to operating as a private photographic reserve. This amazing wildlife sanctuary, along with the neighbouring Mana Pools National Park, comprise over 337,000 hectares of prime protected wilderness. Collectively they form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the core of the Middle-Zambezi Biosphere Reserve. Sapi Explorers Camp, perfectly located along the Zambezi River, offers a base to explore the Sapi Reserve, Mana Pools and the Zambezi River. With only 5 Explorers-style tents (one of which is a 2 bedroom family-unit) each with en-suite bucket shower and flush toilet, Sapi Explorers Camp offers the perfect combination of comfort, adventure and discovery. The focus of your stay is exploring one of Africa’s remote wilderness areas on foot and on wildlife-viewing drives as well as canoeing and boating on the Zambezi River. Guests have the opportunity to experience up-close encounters with elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, wild dog, buffalo, eland, zebra and other ungulate species. Explore the Zambezi River by canoe and boat, watch as wildlife congregates along the river to drink and marvel at the setting of the African sun.

• Images
• Rooms
• Facilities

Guided Bush Walks in Sapi Credit: Great Plains Conservation Guided Bush Walks in Sapi

Boating and Fishing on the Zambezi Credit: Great Plains Conservation Boating and Fishing on the Zambezi

Sapi Explorers Camp Guest Tent Credit: Great Plains Conservation Sapi Explorers Camp Guest Tent

Sunrise at Sapi Explorers Camp Credit: Great Plains Conservation Sunrise at Sapi Explorers Camp

Sapi Explorers Camp Mess Tent Credit: Great Plains Conservation Sapi Explorers Camp Mess Tent

Canoeing on the Zambezi Credit: Great Plains Conservation Canoeing on the Zambezi

Tented Accommodation 2 Bedroomed Family Tent

4 Explorers-style tents, each with en-suite bathroom facilities including bucket shower and flush toilet.

1 two-bedroom family tent. Two bedrooms, each en-suite including bucket shower and flush toilet with a connecting lounge between the two.

Property Facilities

Bar, Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Complimentary)

Room Facilities

Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Laundry Service (Complimentary), Mosquito Nets, Pure Cotton Linen, Safe, Shower

Activities on Site

Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Game Drives, Game Viewing, Game Walks, Night Drives, Practice Green, Safaris, Walks (Guided)