Great Plains, the tourism conservation organization founded by National Geographic filmmakers and explorers-in-residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert, has unveiled the “Young Explorers Programme” at Tembo Plains Camp, Zimbabwe. From child-friendly treatments at the Bush Spa to guided expeditions in search of wildlife big and small, children will be treated to a family holiday of a lifetime with Great Plains.
Suitable for families with children aged six and up, Tembo Plains Camp is tucked away into a thick riverine forest on the edge of the Zambezi River, in the private 128,000-hectare Sapi Private Reserve, east of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park.
A two-bedroom family unit has been designed and decorated by the Jouberts. “I really wanted to build something that was partly tented but paid architectural reference to the Zimbabwean ruins in stone. It is a playful design, which is ideal for families,” said Dereck. Sleeping two adults and two children in two tented bedrooms with a shared lounge, dining area and pool, provides luxurious accommodation for little adventurers to recharge their batteries after a day spent exploring the bush.
Activities on offer as part of Great Plains’ “Young Explorer Programme” include guided bush walks to find the smaller local creatures and learn all about plants, bugs and more while seeking out tracks and decoding the daily behavior and routines of wild animals. Active adventurers will adore the opportunity to canoe down the Zambezi spotting wildlife as they go, or indulge in a spot of bush cricket on the sandbanks of the river.
Back at camp, a world of entertainment awaits, from massages, manis and pedis at the Bush Spa, and traditional bracelet making to movie nights and cooking-in-the-bush lessons. Children can choose from specially tailored menus featuring a range of favorites, snacks, mocktails and other refreshments throughout the day.
The program aims to educate and inspire the next generation of “Conservation Ambassadors.” Upon arrival at camp, children will receive a Great Plains Young Explorers pack, comprising a safari cap, a neck buff, wild stickers, an activity book bursting with games, diary entries and more. The activity book is filled with exciting information and games, animal tracks, a safari journal and interesting facts about the southern hemisphere. Young guests are paired with a guide who will host, teach and care for them with their families throughout their stay.
For wildlife-loving families wishing to extend their Zimbabwe adventure, Great Plains’ Mpala Jena Camp offers the perfect pit stop for soaking up the iconic Victoria Falls. An intimate safari camp positioned along the tree-lined banks of the Zambezi River, Mpala Jena is set within the 138,000-acre Zambezi National Park, which has a healthy number of wildlife species, with higher concentrations of buffalo and elephants from June through to October. The Zambezi National Park has some of the highest lions per density of any other Zimbabwean park. There are guaranteed sightings of massive crocodiles and hippos which make their presence seen and heard throughout the day and night.
For more information, visit www.greatplainsconservation.com.
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