Great Plains Announces Mpala Jena Private Villas, Opening at Zimbabwe’s Mpala Jena Camp, in August 2025
Two New Three-Bedroom Exclusive Use Villas to Open at the Victoria Falls Camp
May 2025…// Great Plains, the iconic African eco-tourism organisation founded by National Geographic filmmaker-explorers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, is delighted to unveil the upcoming launch of two new exclusive-use villas at Mpala Jena, the camp it operates near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Mpala Jena Private Villas will open in August 2025, five kilometers upstream from the main property, providing two exclusive-use villas sleeping up to six adults – or four adults and three children – in three luxurious suites.
Designed by owners Kevin and Shannon Lang in collaboration with architect Julia Rotherford and award-winning interior designer Tracy Kelly, the villas maintain the charm of the original Mpala Jena camp, which has established itself as a sought-after destination experience with a prime location on the Zambezi River’s edge and offers countless wildlife viewing and activities both on and off the water.
The two new three-bedroom villas will offer a step up in both luxury and privacy, providing the ultimate accommodation option for families or small groups. Each Villa will comprise a private main area, swimming pool, three luxurious riverfront suites, a private butler and guide services. The Private Villas, each located in an area that is a favourite drinking spot for zebras and impala in the afternoons, offer guests commanding views over the Zambezi and overlook either a private waterhole or tributary leading down to the Zambezi.
Taking inspiration from the world-renowned Puglia style of architecture and interiors, the Villas feature steep thatch roofs, smooth arches and open spaces designed to stay cool in summer yet warm and cosy through the winter. Interior designer Tracy Kelly has opted for a light and airy scheme that combines an earthy and soothing colour palette with textures and natural materials.
Commenting on the project, Tracy Kelly said: ‘Our vision for the Mpala Jena Private Villas project was to create something that is rustic and authentic, yet simple and functional. Clean lines, natural materials, and a neutral palette inspired by local stone evoke a feeling of peace, with accents in muted greens and terracotta that draw from traditional African crafts, adding warmth and character. Natural fibres, textured rugs, and subtle patterns enhance the space, while a seamless indoor-outdoor flow and relaxed outdoor seating complete a design that fuses Mediterranean elegance with the spirit of safari living.”
Dereck Joubert, CEO of Great Plains adds, “We are delighted to add these new villas to our portfolio because they fit into our strategy of offering ‘homes’ for longer stays, extended families, in each of our locations. This new addition is in response to so many of our guests asking for this type of product, and as usual, to be working with Kevin and Shannon on a new and exciting project.”
Endless activities await at Mpala Jena Private Villas, which will offer guests their own private open safari-drive vehicle and motorised boat at no additional cost, with activities tailored to each group’s individual needs. When water levels allow, guests can enjoy access to a historic dhow that originated in Zanzibar for fantastic sunset or sunrise cruises on the river. Each two-night stay will also include return Victoria Falls International Airport transfers or Victoria Falls Town Road and Boat transfers. A guided half-day tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls with their guide is also included.
Each suite in the two Villas is designed to feel wonderfully secluded, complete with every luxury a guest could wish for during their waterside retreat. They offer private river pavilions – a serene spot on the river’s banks, slightly elevated above the white sand. These tranquil settings are intentionally designed for guests to unwind, read a book, and watch the world go by while feeling totally relaxed and at peace.
Mpala Jena, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Offering the perfect Victoria Falls accommodation, Mpala Jena is an intimate safari camp positioned along the beautiful tree-lined banks of the mighty Zambezi River. A haven that epitomises barefoot luxury in its most refined form, the architecture team of Craig Hayman and Hannah Charlton, with the assistance of interior designer Tracy Kelly, combined the elements of the pristine location by using thatched roofs in the main areas and flowing canvas luxury tents for the bedrooms.
The true showpiece of Mpala Jena is the sand-floored bar and decked pool area, which provides a sumptuous setting for guests to kick their shoes off and relax after their morning safari drive or river cruise. The sun loungers are positioned in such a way that one feels they are floating right on the river, a truly majestic sight to behold.
Mpala Jena’s new wooden dhow, brought from the Zanzibar coast to Zimbabwe, is a firm favourite with guests, allowing them 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.
This experience is a seasonal offering, dependent on the waters of the Zambezi River. Tours of Victoria Falls can also be arranged so guests can experience the thunderous and impressive mass of falling water of the waterfalls. Additional activities include safari drives, catch-and-release fishing, and boating along the Zambezi – perfect for sunset sundowners.
Great Plains’ Tembo Plains Camp, Sapi Reserve, Zimbabwe
For the perfect twin-centre stay, guests can add Great Plains’ Tembo Plains Camp to their Zimbabwean itinerary. The ideal companion property to Mpala Jena Private Villas and Mpala Jena, guests can experience the magic of Victoria Falls, followed by a bucket list safari in the Sapi Reserve – the ultimate Zimbabwe duo!
Tembo Plains Camp is tucked away into a thick riverine forest on the edge of the Zambezi River, in the private 290,000-acre (118,000-
Painted dogs (wild dogs), lions and leopards are common around Tembo Plains, whilst buffalo are regularly seen up and down and sometimes swimming the Zambezi River itself, as are the elephants (or Tembo) from whom the camp takes its name – a live webcam gives one a snapshot of what can be seen.
Elephant experiences at Tembo Plains
Guests also have access to a professional camera and set of lenses, along with a high-quality pair of binoculars. Activities available include guided walks, boating and canoeing, safari drives, catch-and-release fishing on the Zambezi, and the Great Plains Young Explorers Programme for younger guests.
The beautiful two-bedroomed Zanji Suite at Tembo Plains comprises two rooms flanking a shared lounge, dining area and pool. The Zanji Suite is ideal for two couples or families travelling together and those guests looking for the ultimate private safari.
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