Many guests will choose to arrive at this brand new location - which is powered by some 700 solar panels – via the helipad. It’s no doubt a grand way to make an entrance, but after the sounds of the chopper have faded, sustainable living will take centre stage. That’s because this camp has been built with the environment in mind.

Much of the food and water you’ll taste during your stay will have been sourced locally. And 80% of the lodge team members who serve and look after you will be drawn from local villages. With such credentials, it’s easy to see how Bupenyu can promise to offer each guest an experience that’s as authentically Zimbabwean as it is eco-friendly.

Another of the lodge’s draws is its proximity to Victoria Falls, easily the biggest tourist attraction in the area. It’s just 28km from camp to what is one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

Bupenyu is local word for ‘life’ and you can certainly make the most of yours and enjoy the finer things in life when you book a stay here. Designed by local architects and built into the cliffside on cantilevers, the lodge really feels part of the natural surroundings rather than an add-on.

Whoever picked this spot on the edge of Batoka Gorge overlooking the Zambezi River knew what they were about, as the view from this luxury boutique lodge can justifiably be filed under breathtaking.

Brand new facilities

Being a brand new safari location has its advantages, not least the number of modern amenities that can be incorporated into the design without adversely impacting the environment.

Bupenyu boasts Wi-Fi coverage throughout, while dining here will entail tucking into fresh, locally sourced ingredients – some picked from as close to the kitchen as The Orchard, the lodge’s very own garden. What’s grown here will bring colour to the meals you eat in the restaurant or boma. You can also arrange to dine in private in your suite, or opt for a meal in the bird hide.

The on-site gym, 1km running track and spa treatment pods will help you keep in shape and stay relaxed, with the contents of the wine cellar also available to help you kick back at the end of another day of taking it easy.

Where you’ll sleep

Standard Rooms: There’s unlikely to be anything standard about the rooms at this luxurious location, but that’s the name the hosts of the Lodge are choosing for their accommodation. Fair play. There are 11 suites that fall into this category, each offering over 50 square metres of private space. Sit back and relax on the private deck or take a plunge in the aptly named plunge pool. There is a kingsize bed and the ensuite bathroom gives you a choice of tub or shower. Whatever you choose, you’re sure to look forward to slipping into the twin bathrobes and slippers provided.

The Luxury Villa: The villa offers up to four guests over 130 square metres of open plan space, its design inspired by all things Africa. The private deck is a biggie by any estimations, and it’s dominated by the infinity pool. Inside, there’s a combination of living room, bar, kitchen and dining area all sharing an open plan, air conditioned space. It’s ideal for a quartet of friends or small family to experience all that Bupenyu has to offer.