Mpala Jena Camp

The three standard Guest Tents are positioned along the banks of the Zambezi River, with charming views of the water and surrounding wilderness. Each tent offers a choice of double or twin bed configurations. The sand-coloured canvas blends in with the natural surroundings, and each suite has a shaded verandah area for sitting out and enjoying the picturesque views. The guest tents all have private en-suite bathrooms, consisting of a flush toilet, double basins and an indoor shower, with an additional outdoor shower and bathtub. Soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion are all provided.

The Family Tents enjoy a riverside location, with views of the Zambezi’s frontage and sweeping landscape. Each family tent features two bedrooms which both have en-suite bathrooms with indoor showers, double basins and a separate toilet. The tent leads out to an outdoor decking area where families can sit together and enjoy some quality time against the backdrop of the Zambezi River and local wildlife.

Guests can look forward to three delicious meals each day, which can be eaten either indoors or outside where guests can admire the stunning landscape and riverside views. Start the day with a light breakfast selection from the continental buffet before getting out on your first activity of the day. Your choice of tea, coffee or a fruit smoothie will be brought to your suite before breakfast is served in the main area. Lunch is also served as a buffet, allowing guests to pick and choose their favourite options, or try a bit of everything. Dinner consists of a four-course meal with vegetarian options available. Finish the day off with an indulgent dessert and an evening drink under the stars.

Venture out on an exciting game drive and explore Zambezi National Park from the comfort of a specialised safari vehicle. The camp’s knowledgeable guides will be able to teach you interesting facts about the incredible animals of Zimbabwe, as well as showing you the best spots for viewing game. Look out for elephants, zebras, waterbuck, buffalo, lions, impala and hippos, as you traverse the sweeping grassland and floodplains and roam the African wilderness.

Enjoy a relaxing trip along the Zambezi River and watch the silhouettes of elephants wander across the horizon as the sun dips behind the rolling hills. Guests can admire the many plants and trees that fill the riverbanks and look out for passing wildlife as creatures gather for a drink at the river’s edge. Mpala Jena Camp has an 8-seater aluminium-hulled motorboat which is ideal for sun-downer cruises at the end of an exciting day. Sit back and watch the landscape transform, before the glimmering stars begin to emerge and Zimbabwe’s nocturnal creatures begin to stir.

Take a day trip to one of the seven natural wonders of the world and enjoy the breathtaking scenery that Victoria Falls has to offer. Guests can stand in the footsteps of David Livingstone, the first European explorer to discover the falls, and watch the cascading water as it gushes over basaltic rocks.

Visit the rainforest that lies beneath the largest waterfall in the world, and view the incredible species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and insects that thrive in the humid conditions. Guests can also walk along the viewing bridge and enjoy incredible views of the face of the waterfall as froth and foam churn below and rainbow hues linger in the air.

Mpala Jena Camp is part of Great Plains Conservation, which seeks to ‘preserve, rescue and recover’ communities, wildlife and landscapes in Africa. One of the ways they are doing this is through the Great Plains Student Conservation Camp by educating teachers and students in local communities and in Great Plains camps about environmental conservation and why this is important. Having a commitment to responsible travel means that Great Plains Conservation not only protects the communities and land they operate within, but also green technology is integrated into all their lodges. The Conservation Grows program began in 2019 and ‘aims to restore indigenous trees to landscapes across Kenya, Botswana, and Zimbabwe.’

Great Plains Conservation understands that employing people from local communities not only benefits the employee but also their wider family members. Having a job and an income reduces their need to rely on the land for survival so increases the protection of this land. A relatively new initiative is ‘Women Wildlife Monitors’ which aims to employ and empower local women. Great Plains Conservation have also donated solar lanterns to community members and students so their homes can have a safe and sustainable light resource. Every Great Plains Camp has a shop where local beadwork and other products can be sold, to help support local craft groups.

Great Plains Conservation run Student Conservation Camps in order to teach students about the importance of local ecosystems and how they can be protected. The camps feature multi-day programs that take place throughout the year, consisting of classroom instruction, field studies, and mentorship. Students can learn about the local landscape and wildlife from conservation experts and safari guides, giving them positive role models who can reinforce the importance of living harmoniously with wildlife and working to protect the fragile ecosystems that these animals depend on. Students can participate in sports and games which allows both students and mentors to form lasting bonds.

Great Plains Conservation contributes to the Rhinos Without Borders project and aims to translocate ‘100 rhinos from poaching hot zones in South Africa to safe havens in Botswana.’ Guests staying at Great Plains Camps are automatically helping to support this initiative through the Conservation and Community Levy, which is added to each stay and contributes directly to these projects. So far, Rhinos Without Borders has successfully relocated 87 rhinos, who have birthed 35 calves.

‘Rhinos Without Borders uses aircraft to fly the animals in as short a time as possible and release them directly into the wild. The results show this to be the least stressful on the animals, offering the relocation operations the greatest chance of success. During the relocation process, Rhinos Without Borders included and trained local vets and gave them the opportunity to gain experience in rhino capture and care. Additionally, Rhinos Without Borders now redart and refit telemetry regularly; including local veterinarians in the process to build capacity.’

Land For Lions is a project that aims to protect lion habitats and populations so that lion prides are more likely to survive. Land For Lions works alongside local communities and other conservation stakeholders in order to improve habitat conditions for lions across Africa.

‘Great Plains Conservation has also joined the Lionscape Coalition, an effort to join ecotourism companies together to support lion conservation solutions. The ambition, via the Lion Recovery Fund, is to double the number of lions by 2025.’

The Sapi Restoration Initiative aims to repair the Sapi Concession that borders Mana Pools National Park. When Great Plains Conservation received the area in 2016, they ‘immediately put a stop to all hunting in the area’, and are continuing to protect this crucial conservation area by working with teams of experts to develop ‘basic infrastructure, roads and communications systems, a strategic wildlife management plan that includes wildlife monitoring, anti-poaching and species reintroduction as well as a comprehensive flora and fauna survey.’

This will mean that wildlife and their habitats will be better protected and the animals that wander from Mana Pools National Park will still be safe. Ecotourism provides a nonlethal human presence, which helps to show animals that we are not a threat, as well as deter poachers. Tourism within this area has also created new jobs and employment opportunities for local people.