Welcome to Mpala Jena and the Mpala Jena Private Villas

Mpala Jena offers exclusive Victoria Falls luxury accommodation and safari experiences along the scenic, tree-lined banks of the Zambezi River within Zambezi National Park.

The team of architects, including Craig Hayman, Hannah Charlton, and interior designer Tracy Kelly, crafted a retreat that exemplifies “Barefoot Luxury” at its best.

Their goal was to blend natural elements with thatched roofs in the main areas of the camp and flowing canvas luxury tents for the bedrooms. The villa merges indoor and outdoor living spaces, built under thatch and stone, seamlessly integrating into its natural environment.

– Dereck Joubert

Welcome to Mpala Jena

Mpala Jena is the epitome of Victoria Falls luxury accommodation and is an intimate safari camp positioned along the beautiful tree-laden banks of the Zambezi River.

Mpala Jena is situated on the white sandy banks of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River and within the Zambezi National Park. 

The architect team of Craig Hayman and Hannah Charlton, along with interior designer Tracy Kelly, created a haven that epitomises “Barefoot Luxury” at its finest. 

The team aimed to incorporate natural elements by using thatched roofs in the camp’s main areas and flowing canvas luxury tents for the bedrooms. The villa is a blend of indoor and outdoor living spaces built under thatch and stone that seamlessly merge into its natural surroundings.  

– Dereck Joubert

The Camp

Mpala Jena is an intimate safari camp situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, within Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park, and upstream from Victoria Falls. With just six suites, the camp offers a relaxed riverside base from which to explore both the Zambezi and the surrounding landscape.

Mpala Jena was built around the things that make the Zambezi so special. The river flows past the camp, sandy banks lead down to the water and ancient trees provide shade throughout the property. The camp’s main area combines flowing spaces beneath thatch with a lounge, dining area, bar and swimming pool overlooking the river.

The design, by architects Craig Hayman and Hannah Charlton, with interiors by Tracy Kelly, was created to feel connected to its setting. Natural materials, canvas and thatch reflect the landscape, while the open design allows the river and surrounding bush to remain part of everyday life.

Guests can spend time on the Zambezi River by boat, explore the Zambezi National Park on safari drives and guided walks, visit Victoria Falls or simply enjoy the views and wildlife from camp.

Elephants and buffalo are frequently seen in the area, particularly during the drier months from June to October. Lions, leopards, hyenas and a wide variety of antelope also occur within the park, while the river and surrounding habitats provide excellent birdwatching opportunities.

Mpala Jena combines particularly well with Tembo Plains Camp in Zimbabwe’s Sapi Reserve, allowing guests to experience two very different landscapes connected by the Zambezi River.

Mpala Jena Safari Suite

Mpala Jena has four large double or twin Suites and two 2-bedroom Family Suites.
Each suite is positioned along the river beneath sand-coloured flowing canvas, with a canopy ceiling and views towards the Zambezi. Private shaded verandas provide space to sit and watch the river and the wildlife moving along its banks.

All Suites are air-conditioned and have en suite bathrooms with double vanity basins, an indoor shower, and a separate toilet. Outdoor bathrooms include a bathtub and shower, allowing guests to enjoy the open surroundings while maintaining complete privacy.

The two Family Suites each offer two bedrooms, making them ideal for families travelling together.

Rates

Mpala Jena
From $1,020 per person per night (sharing)

The above rates are in US$. The Mpala Jena rates are based on a per person per night sharing basis. Single guest, child rates, private safari drive hire and guide rates are available on request.
The nightly rates include accommodation, wildlife viewing activities in the Zambezi National Park (wildlife drives, guided walks and boating on the Zambezi), all meals, a scheduled half-day tour of Victoria Falls (subject to a minimum 2-night stay), the Zambezi National Park gate and/or boat transfers to/from Mpala Jena and the Kalambezi jetty, daily laundry, local alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Great Plains Conservation does not own or manage Mpala Jena and the Mpala Jena Private Villas. This is a preferred 3rd party property in Victoria Falls, where we hold an exclusive Sales, Marketing and Central Reservations arrangement. Mpala Jena employed staff care for all guests staying at this property.

Safari Experiences

Mpala Jena offers a different way to experience a safari in Zimbabwe, with activities taking place both on land and on the Zambezi River.

Explore the Zambezi National Park on open safari drives with experienced guides, where the park’s varied habitats support an impressive diversity of birdlife and wildlife.

Guided walks offer the opportunity to explore the landscape at a slower pace and discover the smaller details of the bush.

The Zambezi itself is central to the experience at Mpala Jena. Guests can head out on flat-bottomed motorised boats with an expert river guide to explore the waterways and observe wildlife from a different perspective. Water activities are dependent on seasonal water levels.

Catch-and-release fishing is available, with tiger fishing generally at its best between June and December.

A visit to Victoria Falls can be arranged during a stay. Guests can travel into town and experience one of the world’s great natural landmarks, while a range of additional activities are also available in and around Victoria Falls at an additional cost, including helicopter transfers and scenic flights over the Falls.

- Explore our other Great Plains Camps

View the majestic Victoria Falls with your guide

Dine under the stars alongside the Zambezi River and listen to the chorus of nearby hippos

Ready To Explore?

Begin Your Journey

Lasting Impact

Zambezi Parks Support Foundation

Mpala Jena, along with other stakeholders in the Zambezi National Park, has played a key role in establishing the Zambezi Parks Support Foundation (ZPSF). This foundation has made significant strides in conservation and anti-poaching since 2023. The ZPSF operates in the Zambezi National Park and partners with the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, focusing on several key initiatives.

These initiatives include Scout Deployment, where 13 scouts patrol critical areas of the park to prevent poaching, monitor wildlife, and maintain the ecosystem’s integrity; Vehicle and Logistics Support supporting the foundation’s operations; Anti-Poaching Infrastructure, which provides for the upgrading anti-poaching bases and improved infrastructure in the Park, and to various other initiatives that directly Support the National Park. Additionally, Mpala Jena donated a riverboat to assist with river patrols, further enhancing ZPSF’s ability to protect the park’s waterways and wildlife.

These initiatives demonstrate the strong commitment of Mpala Jena to conservation and anti-poaching efforts, aiming to protect the wildlife and ecosystem of Zambezi National Park.