Five explorer-style tents on the banks of the Zambezi River, deep inside the 118,000-hectare Sapi Private Reserve — a landscape so remote its satellite view shows no roads at all.
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Overview
A Camp for True Explorers
Sapi Explorers Camp sits in one of the wildest, most remote corners of Africa — a private reserve so undeveloped that satellite imagery shows no roads or structures at all.
Awarded to Great Plains Conservation in 2016, the 118,000-hectare Sapi Reserve borders Mana Pools National Park to the west, together forming over 337,000 hectares of protected wilderness within a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Middle-Zambezi Biosphere Reserve. Sapi Explorers Camp channels the spirit of Africa's early expeditions — five tents with proper beds and en-suite bucket showers, a single open-sided mess tent, and dinners taken under the stars around a campfire. Days are spent on foot, by vehicle, and on the Zambezi itself, tracking elephant, lion, leopard and wild dog through terrain few other travellers ever see.
5
Explorer-Style Tents
118,000ha
Sapi Private Reserve
337,000ha
Combined with Mana Pools
10
Maximum Guests
Tents
Explorer Tents, Zambezi Views
Four Explorers-style tents and one two-bedroom family tent, each with proper beds, heavy rugs, canvas-backed chairs and an en-suite bathroom.
Tent — Riverbank Setting
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Traditional safari styleTents are decorated with heavy rugs and canvas-backed chairs, evoking the classic explorer camps of old Africa.
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En-suite bucket showerEach tent has its own bathroom with a bucket shower, hot water and a flushing toilet.
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Two-bedroom family tentA dedicated family tent connects two en-suite bedrooms via a shared lounge, ideal for travelling families.
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Zambezi River frontageThe camp faces the Zambezi directly, with hippo, elephant and crocodile regularly visible from the tents.
Experiences
On Foot, By Vehicle, On the River
The focus at Sapi is exploring one of Africa’s last true wildernesses — on foot, by specially designed vehicle, and by canoe and boat on the Zambezi.
Signature
Day & Night Game Drives
Traverse the diverse terrain of the Sapi Reserve, discovering the legendary Mtawatawa Pan and its congregating wildlife.
On Foot
Guided Walking Safaris
Explore the reserve on foot with expert guides, encountering elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo up close.
On the Water
Canoeing & Boating
Paddle or motor the Zambezi River, watching wildlife gather along the banks to drink.
Bonus
Mana Pools Excursion
Guests staying three nights or more receive one included excursion into neighbouring Mana Pools National Park.
Birding
Bird Watching
Prime birding country, with resident and migrant species especially active in the early morning and late afternoon.
Family
Young Explorers Programme
A complimentary bush-craft syllabus teaches children animal tracking and calls, ending with a Young Explorer certificate.
Dining
Dinner Under the Stars
The open-sided mess tent houses a comfortable lounge and indoor dining area, though dinner is often taken outside around a campfire beneath the Zambezi sky.
01The mess tent, indoor dining
02A campfire dinner, under the stars
03Sundowners, in the bush
04Coffee stops, on morning drives
05In-tent dining, on request
Dinner — By the Campfire
Location
Bordering Mana Pools
Sapi Explorers Camp sits within the private Sapi Reserve on the banks of the Zambezi River, bordering Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe.
The Sapi Reserve is one of just two camps within its 118,000 hectares, ensuring genuine isolation and exclusivity.
Sapi and Mana Pools together form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Middle-Zambezi Biosphere Reserve.
The camp is entirely unfenced — hippo, elephant and crocodile sightings from camp itself are common.
A Conservation and Community Levy is added to every stay, supporting the Great Plains Foundation’s work in the region.
Fly
Light aircraft from Harare or Victoria Falls land at the reserve’s own private airstrip.
Transfer
Guests are met at the airstrip and transferred the short distance to camp by vehicle.
Arrive
Return road transfers between the airstrip and camp are included in the nightly rate.
Bonus Night
Stay 4, Pay 3
Book three nights at Sapi Explorers Camp and receive a fourth free on selected 2026 dates.