Tembo meaning Elephant reflects more than just a place. It speaks to a long and unique relationship the owners Derek and Beverley Joubert have with these animals. Tembo Plains has four guest tents (and one 2 bedroom family tent), each with its own private indoor lounge area, outdoor swimming pool, exercise bike on the veranda and outdoor dining area, handmade bathtubs and indoor and outdoor showers, Wi-Fi and working area, Canon camera and lenses, plus Leica binoculars for guests to use whilst they are in Sapi.

The design of the camp is a mix of canvas and stone walls with a reference to the famous Zimbabwe Ruins. In the main area an interactive chef’s kitchen is the place to experience tasting menus and wine pairings. Tembo Plains is 100% solar-powered and no generator disturbs the natural soundscape of the bush, offering total peace and relaxation. Those who want to pamper themselves even more may want to visit the spa area or the souvenir shop.

In addition to the four guest tents, a private suite was added to complement the camp. Tembo Plains Suite can cater for a maximum of four adults and one child sharing. There is a central private lounge and dining area with the spacious bedrooms on either side offering en-suite bathroom facilities which include an impressive bathtub, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. Decking in front of the tent leads to a private plunge pool and campfire area with views of the calming and peaceful flowing waters of the Zambezi River.

The 120,000-hectare private Sapi Concession, along with the neighbouring Mana Pools National Park, now comprise over 337,000 hectares of prime protected wilderness. Collectively they form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site as well as the core of the Middle-Zambezi Biosphere Reserve.

Mana Pools National Park is situated in Zambezi Valley, North Zimbabwe, on the border with Zambia. The opposite side of the Zambezi is home to the mountains of the Great African Rift Valley and Lower Zambezi National Park. This section of the Zambezi is renowned for its four large lagoons: Main, Chine, Long and Chisambuk. ‘Mana' actually means ‘four' in the local Shona language.

Tembo Plains can be reached by flying to Harare in Zimbabwe before taking a 1.5-hour light aircraft flight to camp, or in a light aircraft from Victoria Falls (2 hrs).

Mana Pools is renowned for its dense concentration of elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile. The winter months are particularly busy, with small and great alike sipping the river water. Such predators as lion, hyena and wild dog are regularly sighted, even cheetah is possible. Leopards are normally only seen after dark.

Please note that rhino, wildebeest and giraffe are not present in the park.

Early morning and late afternoon game viewing in a open 4×4 wildlife-viewing vehicle, guided walks, canoeing and boating. Due to its location outside the park and within a private concession, the camp enjoys great freedom in terms of how to organize walking safaris and game drives.

SwissAfrican Travel Service
Dammstrasse 27
8702 Zollikon
Zurich, Switzerland


Telephone: +41 (0)44 451 40 51