EPICURE LOOKBOOK

The world of glamping just got more alluring with the opening of Chikwenya, Wilderness Safaris’ newest luxurious lodge in Zimbabwe. By Priyanka Elhence

Chikwenya

Situated in a private concession in Zimbabwe’s majestic 1.7 million hectare Mana Pools National Park is the new Chikwenya Camp. Located at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi rivers right on the border with Zambia, the elegant camp is located on the eastern boundary of the park, overlooking an open albida floodplain and Chikwenya Island approximately 352 metres above sea level.

The campsite has been built to take advantage of the jaw-dropping views of the Zambezi River and the Rift Valley escarpment in the distance while offering guests exclusive access to the lower reaches of the natural reserve. Each of the six luxurious canvas tents is connected by wooden walkways, and erected on low wooden decks and pine walkways linking them to the raised main area stretching along the Sapi River frontage. Imagine sunken seating on each deck, gauze doors that open across the front, the option of an outdoor shower and the cooling breeze coming off the river. The lounge, dining and bar areas offer more enclaves for relaxation, and a pool, deck and fireplace complete the number of alternative spaces to enjoy the passing wildlife and sunset.

“From the moment I arrived at the Chikwenya site three years ago, I was inspired by the raw beauty of the camp’s exquisite setting overlooking the Zambezi River. With this in mind, we made sure that the new camp features numerous relaxation areas to take advantage of these spectacular views,” reveals Tanja Beyers, interior designer and owner of Profurn Contracts, the interior design and architecture firm behind Chikwenya. “The area is exceptionally photogenic, in what we believe to be one of the most productive and beautiful concessions in Zimbabwe, with a large concentration of elephants and buffalo. The emphasis on relaxation encourages guests to completely immerse themselves in the concession’s exquisite offerings.”

The perfect backdrop

Chikwenya joins the Mana Pools National Park to play an important role in protecting one of the great wildlife spectacles on the continent and preserving a feel of real wilderness. From the sparkling pool and its comfortable loungers on the deck to the dining area under the deep shade of the Natal mahogany trees, Beyers has created an environment that captures the essence of the natural surrounds where guests can enjoy the sights across both the Sapi river mouth and the Zambezi. Surrounded by a dense forest of albida and Natal mahogany trees, the camp enjoys the deep shade in the heat of the day basking in the shadow of the trees, while the albidas shed their protein-rich pods during the dry season, providing vital sustenance for many species, and particularly for elephants.

The varied habitat, from verdant riverine forests to floodplain grasslands, attracts a wide range of wildlife in considerable numbers, including the buffalo, elephant, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, hippo, lion, wild dog, leopard and occasionally the nyala. Species such as black-throated wattle-eye, red-necked falcon, eastern nicator, Narina trogon and Livingstone flycatcher make this a birder’s paradise. All safari activities at Chikwenya are led by highly skilled guides and include interpretive day and night game drives, guided nature walks, boating and catch-and-release fishing, as well as canoeing.

Untamed beauty at its best

Beyers created a stunning safari camp to accentuate the essence of its natural bush surrounds. “There is an understated elegance to the interiors of the camp that are enhanced by the neutral palette and earthy hues of the landscape,” adds Beyers. “We kept all of the design elements as authentic to the surroundings as possible, making it comfortable without overdressing it.”

The interiors are fresh and minimal, with textures such as sisal rugs and low-slung African mahogany furnishings revealed in oatmeal hues. Locally handcrafted bedside lamps are adorned with

decorative beadwork. Exquisite beaded chandeliers for the main lounge and cantilevered vanity units are made from abandoned trees to add a sense of history. Handcrafted timber daybeds with turned legs, canvas and mesh screens provide the structure of the tents, which open onto private decks with sunken seating that in turn look out onto the floodplains. Inside the rooms, a sleeping area with a four-poster king-size bed and a sofa lead to an openplan bathroom with a stand-alone tub and an indoor and outdoor shower. In line with the resort’s eco-ethos, there are no hairdryers, in-room fridges or air conditioning and heating, but the uncovered mesh screen is more than enough to keep the tent cool.

Thirty-four families have since benefitted from the income generated by producing 15,000 individually hand-rolled clay beads and 7,000 discs for the resort, including beautiful pieces of local artwork. Each piece of reclaimed timber used for the vanity slabs was hand selected and gently shaped to preserve the natural lines and retain an element of authenticity. Hand-batiked guest gowns were also designed and hand-printed by a local textile artist, while two local women were contracted to crochet the beadwork used to create the decorative accents on the bedside lights

Ensuring the successful delivery of building materials to the site was a challenge. “As the camp is set in an extremely remote wilderness area, it was tricky getting the building and furnishing supplies into the camp, and the goods had to be extremely wellwrapped to ensure they arrived in one piece. The gravel road is full of corrugations that can cause severe damage if the goods are not strapped down correctly. The planning needed to be done months in advance to ensure that materials arrived on site as and when required,” adds Beyers.

Naturally, Chikwenya’s culinary offerings are inspired by the luxurious bush setting the resort is located in. Breakfast and brunch are served under the huge mahogany trees overlooking the Zambezi, making for the perfect spot to watch elephants, elands and baboons. Tea time is somewhat of a ritual here, and Chikwenya offers a range of delectable treats, such as Amarula chocolate cake, bobotie spring rolls and Chikwenya’s signature spiced iced tea with lingering hints of cardamom and cinnamon, which are served at the pool lounge. Guests can opt for an al fresco dinner under the stars and enjoy local dishes like corn and chilli soup with a fresh-from-the-fire flatbread and meats served straight from the braai or African barbeque before rounding off the evening with Amarula coffee around the camp fire. The campfire, with its oversized plantation chairs, is the ideal location to relax under the starry sky canopy while sharing highlights of the day’s wilderness adventures and listening to the sounds of the nocturnal animals.

As Beyers puts it, “Chikwenya is one of those places that grabs a piece of you and never let you go.” It’s not hard to understand why.