Sapi Reserve - Zimbabwe

Great Plains have acquired the a supremely stunning plot within the Sapi reserve of Zimbabwe. The 118,000 hectares of private land had originally been used as a hunting concession. Following the huge success of the rehabilitation of the Selinda Reserve in northern Botswana, where Great Plains worked tirelessly to improve and encourage the number of wildlife within the land, which goes hand in hand with guests having the most superb experience with regards to wildlife viewing. Great Plains have embarked on the same process within the Sapi Reserve in Zimbabwe.

Closing the hunting was the initial starting point and once that was done, they embarked on a ‘light footprint’. This helps secure the area from poaching but works towards encouraging wildlife back into the reserve. Walking routes were developed as well as road tracks, a knowledge of the nearby water sources inland needed to be learnt as well as prime drinking spots along the banks of the Zambezi River. Elephant and buffalo herds were beginning to trust this part of the land as well as the continuous movement of human kind within their environment.

One of the two stunning Great Plains Camps within Sapi reserve is Sapi Explorers Camp. Lying on the banks of the Zambezi River with just five canvas styled safari tents, all with en-suite bucket showers and full working flushing loos. This camp allows guests to hark back to a time of days gone by, and step into the old African explorers’ shoes – a perfect combination of both adventure and discovery, with just a hint of romance.

The second is Sapi Springs Camp which hides within the interior of the Sapi Reserve and overlooks the Sapi River. This small and unique camp offers guests the opportunity to have the best of both worlds – as in, have the wonderful choice of either sleeping safe within the confines of an enclosed room, or take the adventure up onto the deck above and enjoy a sleep out under an African canopy of stars listening to the night time chorus begin while you fall asleep – we know what we would rather do! (under the stars all the way, if it wasn’t clear!)

The main area of this camp is beneath the shade of a strangler fig tree out in the open. It oozes both adventure and relaxation this camp. You can relax underneath the shade of these fig trees watching out for Lillian’s lovebirds, sand grouse and a huge array of other stunning birds that reside around the camp and within this Sapi Reserve.

Both camps offer morning and afternoon game drives to explore and enjoy the beauty of Zimbabwe. There are also guided walks available too, so you can get that bit closer to the local flora and fauna and find out which plants the old tribes people used to use for common ailments – you never know when this information may be incredibly useful – perhaps a pub quiz…! This stunning reserve has so much to offer and being totally private lets you have the freedom to explore at your own will, to totally immerse yourself in safari and return with wonderful memories and who knows, you may in fact return to make more…