Zimbabwe’s Sapi Reserve

Sapi Private Reserve, Zimbabwe

INTRO

Once a hunting concession, Zimbabwe's Sapi Reserve has been masterfully transformed by Great Plains Conservation into an extraordinary conservation sanctuary. Spanning 120,000 pristine hectares and home to the exquisite Tembo Plains camp, Sapi offers an unparalleled level of exclusive privacy. We invite you to discover our experience of this groundbreaking initiative—Project Rewild—and a camp that perfectly captures the untamed spirit of the Zambezi Valley.

Sapi Reserve

Bordering the legendary Mana Pools National Park, Sapi’s towering mopane forests and ancient leadwood trees rise from rich red earth. Here, wildlife encounters with majestic lions, graceful antelope, and gentle elephants feel utterly authentic as they slowly learn to trust again.

Since acquiring the reserve in 2016, Great Plains has worked to restore both landscape and wildlife. Through the visionary Project Rewild, more than 100 elephants have been relocated into Sapi's embrace, and a pack of wild dogs was recently introduced—a symbol of new beginnings.

The ancient forest gives the landscape its structure, while the mighty river adds hypnotic movement. The sound of hippos, a whispered breeze, the light dancing on water—these details linger. This is a place for slow, mindful safaris, where patience is rewarded and the wild's secrets reveal themselves.

Tembo Plains

Set within the reserve, Tembo Plains is one of Great Plains' most exquisitely designed sanctuaries. Passing through hand-carved Zanzibar doors, a serene calm washes over you. The atmosphere is one of sustainable indulgence, shaped by a team whose kindness feels innate.

The suites are spacious yet open, inviting the river within. Each boasts a private terrace and plunge pool—exclusive sanctuaries to watch the valley transform. The design harmoniously combines natural textures and sculptural forms, with every detail crafted to keep the river intimately close.

Days follow a luxurious rhythm shaped by the wilderness. Mornings might begin with coffee by the fire and breakfast aboard a boat, followed by fishing along the riverbanks. Afternoons invite a blissful siesta to the sounds of baboons and hippos, while evenings unfold with sundowners in the bush and a candlelit dinner beneath the stars.

Tembo Plains is a sublime combination of thoughtful design, authentic energy, and a breathtaking natural setting—the kind of transformative travel that defines luxury with purpose at William Ford.

Tembo Plains Camp, Sapi Reserve, Zimbabwe