Welcome to  Impala Jena  Camp 

MPALA JENA OFFERS THE PERFECT VICTORIA FALLS ACCOMMODATION. MPALA JENA IS AN INTIMATE SAFARI CAMP POSITIONED ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL TREE-LADEN BANKS OF THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER.

The architect team of Craig Hayman and Hannah Charlton and interior designer Tracy Kelly have created a haven that epitomizes “Barefoot Luxury” at its best. Mpala Jena is located on the white sandy edges of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River and in the Zambezi National Park. The team sought to combine natural elements using thatched roofs in the main areas and flowing canvas luxury tents for the bedrooms. The sand floor in the bar area, and adjacent swimming pool, set the scene for guests to kick their shoes off and relax after their morning game drive or river cruise. The pool lounge makes you feel that you are right on the river. It is the ideal place to hang out with a book during the heat of the day. Mpala Jena is highly sought after for those wanting Victoria Falls accommodation.

‘Mpala Jena’ means “White Impala”. According to the local National Park rangers, in 1979, albino impala sightings were reported when the Zambezi National Park was separated from the Victoria Falls National Park and declared a National Park.

About Mpala Jena Camp

The area under conservation within the Zambezi National Park is 56,000 hectares (138,000 acres) and has a healthy and ever-increasing number of wildlife species, with higher concentrations of buffalo and elephants from June through to October. It has become an absolute gem of a reserve with some of the highest lions per square km concentrations than any other Zimbabwean park. The river is a magnet for wildlife and ensures consistent sightings of massive crocodiles and hippos who make their presence seen and heard throughout the day and night.

This area is perfect for bird watching throughout the year, but with a higher diversity of species from November through April.

Mpala Jena is by design sensitive to the environment of the Zambezi National Park. This is achieved by using canvas and local thatch in its construction and ensuring all the camp’s electricity needs come from its solar farm.

Guests who stay at Mpala Jena, which is the perfect Victoria Falls accommodation option, often continue their safari to Tembo Plains Camp and Tembo Plains Suite in our private Sapi Reserve or our camps in Botswana.

The lodge is located in a private concession within the wildlife-rich Zambezi National Park of Zimbabwe upstream from the famous Victoria Falls. Guests enjoy scenic views over the Zambezi River from the comfort of their tented camp.

Camp Features

Mpala Jena Camp can accommodate a maximum of 14 adult guests. Total Number of Bedrooms: Three double or twin configuration suites; Two 2-bedroomed Family Suites One guide room with a double/twin bed and en-suite bathroom. 

Room Types

Unit Types

Guest Tents

(3 ROOMS)

The three guest tented suites are located on the banks of the Zambezi River with views of the river frontage. Each suite has en-suite bathroom facilities, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. Decking in front of the tent leads to views of the calming and peaceful flowing waters of the Zambezi River.

Family Tents

(2 ROOMS)

The two family suites are located on the banks of the Zambezi River with views of the river frontage. Each family suite consists two bedrooms both of which have an en-suite bathroom facility, indoor shower, separate loo and double basins. Decking in front of the suites leads to views of the calming and peaceful flowing waters of the Zambezi River.

Accommodating Children and sharing accommodation

• Mpala Jena welcomes children that are six years and older;

• The two Mpala Jena Family suites can each cater for a maximum of four adults sharing or two adults and up to three children (aged 6 – 15), sharing in two separate bedrooms;

• Families with children 6-15 years could be accommodated in the same vehicle as other guests;

• Children must be a minimum of 16 years old to participate in walking activities;

• Children must be supervised as the camp

Mpala Jena Camp offers professionally guided wildlife viewing in open game drive vehicles, walks and morning or afternoon boat cruises (water level dependent / seasonally). The camp has custom-built Land cruisers, and the vehicles are fully stocked with reference books, drinks and snacks. In addition, guests should take the opportunity to enjoy an excursion into Victoria Falls town, including a visit to the thunderous and impressive mass of falling water of the actual Victoria Falls during their stay. A guided tour of the Falls can be arranged for guests.

Additional cost activities are available for those who wish to participate in the varied adrenalin and more relaxing activities that this tourist hub has become renowned for. A range of activities exists, including navigating one of the world’s most intense white-water rafting, partaking in the numerous high-wire activities located at the Gorge / Lookout Cafe, conducting a cultural village tour, a historical guided high tea tour, or simply enjoying wandering the streets of this bustling tourist town.

RATING

GPC Partner

TYPE

Safari Lodge

NO. ROOMS

5

CHECK-IN TIME

After 14h00

CHECK-OUT TIME

On or before 11h00

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Credit Card

LODGE SEASON & OPENING

Year Round

IDEAL LENGTH OF STAY

3-4 Nights

CHILD POLICY

 6 years and older

CAMP

Not Fenced

SPOKEN LANGUAGES

English

SPECIAL INTERESTS

Adventure, Birding, Gourmet, Leisure, Nature, Relaxation, Wildlife

Access Directions

Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport

• Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport and road transfer via Victoria Falls town followed by a road transfer conducted as a safari drive through the Zambezi National Park (an estimated 1 hour and 30 minutes); • Or a road transfer from the airport and town, followed by a boat transfer for the more adventurous (1 hour to 1 hour and 25 mins). Arrival from Kazungula Border Post

• Road transfer option conducted along the Kazungula road (1 hour) and then a safari drive through the Zambezi National Park (an estimated 45 minutes to 1 hour). Arrival at Livingstone Airport

• Arrival at Livingstone Airport and road transfer across the Zambia / Zimbabwe border followed by a road transfer conducted as a safari drive through the Zambezi National Park (an estimated 2 hours dependent on time spent at the border);

• Road transfer from the airport and across the border, followed by a boat transfer for the more adventurous (1 hour 40 mins dependent on time spent at the border).

CAMP CO-ORDINATES

17°50’11.29”S, 25°41’53.87”E

Possibility of Disabled access

The camp layout incorporates mobile ramp access to one suite and main area. 

The Zambezi National Park

The park is located upstream from Victoria Falls, on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe, separated from the Victoria Falls National Park in 1979 and is 56,000 hectares in its entirety. Most of the Park is within the eco-region of Zambezian and Mopani woodlands, whilst a small portion in the south is within the Zambezian Baikiaea Woodlands. The Park essentially has two main habitats – riverine and Chamabonda vlei.

The Park has a vast diversity of indigenous tree species. Its terrain varies between riverine woodland, dry riverbeds, rocky outcrops and spring-lines with a gradual escarpment leading towards the Kazungula road split. Soil types vary from alluvial and Kalahari sand, riverine sand and pockets of black cotton soil.

The Zambezi National Park is host to many larger mammals, including the African elephant, lion, Cape buffalo, hyena and the rare leopard sightings. Antelope and other grassland species include sable antelope, common eland, common zebra, southern giraffe, greater kudu, waterbuck, wildebeest and impala. An estimated 400 bird species can be viewed within the Zambezi National Park, including the Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmer, collared palm thrush, Lanner falcon, goliath heron, African finfoot, rock pratincole and long-toed lapwing as specialities.

Wildlife

A wide variety of animals – including giraffe, lion and leopard – have access to the park from surrounding areas. Elephant and buffalo are common on the banks of the Zambezi River. The river is teeming with hippo and crocodile while the park has a good number of resident antelopes, including waterbuck and bushbuck.

Wildlife Highlights

Wild dog occur in the park and the best time to see them is between May and August, which is their denning season. The majestic sable antelope can sometimes by spotted in the south of the park, as can eland. Chacma baboon can be found sitting in palm trees next to the river, and keep a look out for the colonies of banded mongoose which scurry around the undergrowth.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The middle and end of the Dry season (from July to October) is the best time for wildlife viewing in the park. Wildlife is easier to spot because vegetation is thinner and animals gather around the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls is at its best from May to September.

Birding

With more than 400 species recorded, this little park is of particular interest to birders. The riverine habitat is home to many specials, including the African finfoot, collared palm-thrush and Pel’s fishing-owl. African skimmers can be found on the sandbanks or skimming the water in the Wet season. Migratory birds are present from November to April.

Best Time for Bird Watching

Zambezi NP has good birdlife all year, but birding is best from November to April, when the European and north African migratory birds have arrived. This is a great time to see resident birds in their colorful breeding plumage, as it is also nesting season. Viewing wildlife is best during the Dry season, from June to October.

About the Special

Want to stay out and drive a little longer in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, float down the Zambezi River in the Sapi Reserve one last time, or follow the channels of Botswana’s waterways in search of big tuskers and lions?
Whatever your preference take advantage of our shoulder season rates, when staying a little longer with us in the peak season.

Terms and Conditions

Booking Terms and Conditions:
• Stay a minimum 6 night stay, regardless of camps, or where they are located, as long as they are in the same itinerary, during the period 15 - 31 October 2022, qualify for shoulder season rates;
• Free included inter-camp air transfers restrictions may apply to some camps;