Great Plains Adds Private Villas to Mpala Jena Camp Near Victoria Falls
The new riverfront villas cater to families and long-stay travelers, blending Mediterranean-inspired design with safari living near Victoria Falls.
Photos: Courtesy of Mpala Jena
Great Plains has unveiled the first of two new three-bedroom private villas at Mpala Jena, its Zimbabwean property on the banks of the Zambezi River. A second villa is set to debut in November 2025, completing the expansion of the camp into the private-residence space.
Positioned around three miles upstream from the main lodge, the new villas are designed for multi-generational groups and long-stay travelers seeking exclusivity without losing access to the region’s marquee experiences. Each unit accommodates up to six adults across three riverfront suites and includes a dedicated guide, private butler, and access to both a safari vehicle and a motorboat. This model responds to an emerging preference among affluent safari travelers for independent spaces and tailor-made itineraries that can flex to family rhythms.
Design has been a central component of the launch. Owners Kevin and Shannon Lang collaborated with architect Julia Rotherford and interior designer Tracy Kelly to merge Mediterranean architectural references—steep thatched roofs, arches, and shaded courtyards—with African craft elements. The result is a hybrid of Puglia-inspired lightness and safari rusticity: open-air lounges, muted earth tones, and natural textures punctuated by terracotta accents. Each villa overlooks either a private waterhole or tributary, in areas where zebra and impala routinely gather.
Beyond design, the villas expand the competitive positioning of Great Plains in Victoria Falls, where the market has seen steady growth in private-use products from both independent operators and global luxury brands. With nightly rates starting at $6,370, Mpala Jena Private Villas are priced in line with high-end regional offerings, though the inclusion of guided activities and transfers may tilt the value proposition. Notably, the villas feature the use of a historic dhow for river cruises, when water levels permit.
For Great Plains, the expansion strengthens its Zimbabwe footprint and reinforces the organization’s model of linking conservation-driven tourism with high-yield, small-scale accommodations. In the Victoria Falls market, which continues to attract international players, Mpala Jena’s new villas add another layer of exclusivity to a destination already synonymous with marquee safari and adventure experiences.
