Mpala Jena
We often recommend Mpala Jena as the safari base for a Victoria Falls journey, allowing guests to enjoy both wildlife and the river without the need to change camps. Its flexibility, setting and pace make it particularly well suited to families and first-time safari travellers.
Its location makes Mpala Jena one of the most seamless ways to combine safari, river life and Victoria Falls without moving between properties.
Five kilometres upstream are the secluded Mpala Jena Private Villas, offering even greater privacy within the same landscape.
Characterful weathered decking forms walkways and viewing platforms for five spacious luxury tented suites - three large canvas suites and two two-bedroomed family suites, all with views over the river.
For those seeking additional space and exclusivity, Mpala Jena’s two upstream villas each feature three suites, making them ideal for families or groups of friends. With steep thatched roofs and cool, domed interiors, each villa comes with a private pool, dedicated guide, butler service and exclusive safari vehicle – creating a fully personalised Zambezi experience.
- Drift along the Zambezi River on a traditional wooden dhow, or take a faster boat for scenic transfers, river safaris, or a journey upstream towards Victoria Falls.
- Explore Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world, with time to wander the town, try bungee jumping, or take on the thrill of white-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge.
- Seek out wildlife on early morning and night drives in Zambezi National Park, home to one of the highest densities of lions per unit area in Zimbabwe.
- Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing in the Zambezi, with tiger fishing at its best between June and December.
- Take time for birdwatching, with over 400 species recorded in the area, including Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmer, goliath heron, African finfoot, rock pratincole and long-toed lapwing.
Why We Include Mpala Jena in Our Journeys
We often use Mpala Jena as the anchor for a Victoria Falls stay, particularly for families or those looking for variety without frequent travel, before adding contrast elsewhere in Southern Africa if time allows.
“Mpala Jena is wonderfully adaptable. The river setting, wildlife density and relaxed pace make it ideal for families, first-time safari travellers or anyone wanting variety without feeling over-scheduled. It’s also one of the most seamless ways to combine Victoria Falls with a safari experience.”
Why Plan Your Safari with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want your safari to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that collaborate with local communities and address location-specific needs from education to anti-poaching. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Great places to Combine with Mpala Jena
Mpala Jena is easy to weave into a wider journey, whether you’re travelling within Zimbabwe or combining destinations across Southern Africa.Mpala Jena is easy to weave into a wider journey, whether you’re travelling within Zimbabwe or combining destinations across Southern Africa.
Set on a secluded stretch of the Zambezi River within Zambezi National Park, Mpala Jena Private Villas offer an exclusive safari experience with complete privacy, personalised guiding, and easy access to both wildlife-rich landscapes and Victoria Falls.
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"After listening to my requirements for 30 mins Ross put together the most unbelievable tour of Zimbabwe for my wife and me. He had listened and didn’t attempt to fit us around a trip, he tailored everything to fit around us."
From mysterious baobab groves, to the arid sands of Hwange, the balancing rocks of Matobo, and the awesome Zambezi River as it rages over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is a country that serves up all that could be hoped for in an African holiday destination.
There are few other safari destinations that offer the sheer diversity of landscapes that Zimbabwe does. The cascading waters of Victoria Falls and forested banks of the Zambezi River contrast with the arid open plains of Hwange and the rugged mountain terrain of Matusadona. Together, they create a completely unique safari experience.
Discover Zimbabwe on a tailor-made luxury holiday following the route of the Grand Tour.
Zimbabwe has been part of the story of Journeysmiths from the very beginning, and it remains one of our favourite places. It’s a country that guarantees an amazing safari experience that can be enjoyed in luxurious comfort.