Access & Location
Tembo Plains is situated in the Sapi Private Reserve, within Mana Pools National Park. It can be accessed via road transfer from the Sapi Airstrip, a short distance away.
Tembo Plains Camp
A luxury safari camp surrounded by riverine forest alongside the Zambezi River
Lounge and dining areas, interactive kitchen, wine cellar, spa, and curio shop
Four double or twin tents, and a two-bedroom suite for family use
Game drives, guided walks, canoeing, and boating
Our Yellow Zebra Opinion
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Premium price, premium offering
Tembo Plains is a luxury lodge located in the wildlife-rich Mana Pools in a private concession. The camp was designed with the Zimbabwean ruins in mind, so you have an interesting blend of stone and canvas walls. This is also the only Relais & Châteaux camp in Zimbabwe.
Activities
The camp provides classic safari activities, as follows:
Expertly guided game drives
Guided walks
Canoeing
Boating
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The Sapi Private Reserve comprises 118,000 hectares of savanna, woodlands, forests, and water sources. Among the wildlife you might see on vehicle safaris are lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, zebra, and wild dog. You have access to Mana Pools National Park too, which is famous for its elephant, buffalo, and hippo populations! Moreover, the park is home to all the big cats, as well as lots of herbivores and over 350 bird species. Drives are available during early morning and late afternoon.
Walking from Tembo is a wonderful opportunity to take a closer look at the plants, insects, and birds of Sapi. And the camp guide accompanying you on the trip will be happy to answer any questions.
Why not take to the waters of the reserve, to enjoy views of the aquatic wildlife? You’ll have a lot of fun spotting hippos, crocs, and waterbirds.
Heading out on a boat also involves sightings of Sapi’s water dwellers, in addition to elephants coming down to drink on the riverbanks.
* This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals will pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.
Make an EnquiryMake an EnquiryFacilities
Communal facilities at Tembo include lounge and dining areas, and an interactive 5-star kitchen.
There is a wine cellar, a spa, and a curio store, described as hidden discreetly behind weathered Zanzibari doors – this style acknowledges the explorers who once came to Mana Pools from Zanzibar. From the camp’s open areas, guests will enjoy amazing views over the Sapi Private Reserve, such as elephants drinking on the banks of the River Zambezi. The word Tembo means ‘elephant’, and it was chosen to honour Great Plains’ long and special relationships with the gentle giants.
Make an EnquiryAmenities
There are four double or twin tents and a two-bedroom family suite, so the maximum number of guests at camp is 12.
Images of a double tent reveal a sumptuous bedroom, its king-size bed surrounded by mosquito netting and flanked by bedside stands and lighting. Snug rugs provide some warmth on the otherwise wooden floors. To the right side of the bed/s, there’s a separate lounge, featuring sofas and a coffee table, while to the left you’ll find a smart washing area with separate toilet, twin washbasins set in a wooden unit, shower, and freestanding bathtub (this is homemade). There’s another shower outside the tent, on its wide veranda, which also offers a dining area, exercise bikes, and a swimming pool! The suite is made up of two tents, both with toilet, washbasins, shower, and bathtub en suite. There’s a shared lounge and dining area too, and a swimming pool on the private deck. The décor of all guest accommodation is inspired by the famous Zimbabwe Ruins, seen in the tents’ pack-stone walls. However, there’s a nod to the traditional safari aesthetic as well, in the use of canvas and timber.
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