Tembo Plains Camp

The camp opened in 2021 in riverine forest on the Zambezi. Sapi Reserve was established by Great Plains in 2016 as a private photographic reserve, and the company is restoring about 128,000 hectares along the river. There are four suites, each with an indoor lounge, outdoor dining area, private pool, handmade bathtub and indoor and outdoor showers. Interiors are by Great Plains co-founder Beverly Joubert.

Activities include day and night game drives, guided walks and tracking, boating and canoeing on the Zambezi, sometimes with lunch on a sandbank, and fishing. Painted dogs, lion, leopard, buffalo and elephant are all seen here. Stays of three nights or more include one wildlife outing into Mana Pools National Park, so plan at least three nights.

Tembo Plains suits travelers who want a very private camp, couples and families, and those who care about where their money goes in conservation terms. There is a program for children aged six and up. It is priced at the very top end for Zimbabwe, and because it is in the reserve rather than the park, time inside Mana Pools itself is limited unless you pair it with a park camp.