Yesterday, I encountered the following post on Zimbabwe National Parks & Game Reserves Facebook page. Until recently, the Sapi Safari Area, located in Zimbabwe's Lower Zambezi Valley, was a hunting concession. I Googled Great Plains Conservation and discovered that Dereck and Beverly Joubert are co-founders. Having visited the Mana Pools, Sapi, and Chewore areas, I was somewhat surprised that the Jouberts would establish a photographic safari operation in this area. Thoughts? Feedback? Additional information?

***
Zimbabwe National Parks & Game Reserves - Facebook Page

NEW CAMPS IN ZAMBEZI VALLEY

In 2017, Mana Pools will welcome two new operators – Robin Pope Safaris and Great Plains Conservation, which will take on the Sapi Concession.

Robin Pope Safaris will set up a new semi-permanent camp, John’s Camp, in Mana Pools – named after renowned African safari guide, John Stevens. The 10 beds all have views across a flood plain towards the Zambezi River, and will open from April 14 until November 30.

Great Plains Conservation will set up a camp in the Sapi Concession, on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools, by the end of the year.

“As sustainable and conservation focused operators, the entry of Great Plains Conservation and Robin Pope Safaris can only mean a positive impact on the Zambezi Valley as a whole,” says Shelley Cox, Great Plains Ambassador Zimbabwe.
***
***
Wikipedia - Great Plains Conservation

Great Plains Conservation is a South Africa-based conservation organization that manages several wildlife reserves in Kenya and Botswana. The group currently operates six reserves, which include luxury lodges and tent camps. It works together with local governments and community groups to promote low-density, environmentally conscious tourism, supplying economic incentives for the protection of wildlife.

Great Plains Conservation was founded in 2006 by a group of conservationists and filmmakers. Its CEO is Dereck Joubert.
***
***
Daily Southern African Tourism Update (February 3, 2017)

Great Plains has big plans for Zimbabwe

Great Plains Conservation has taken over the lease of Sapi concession, a former hunting concession on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools.

The 118 000-hectare area will be put under conservation with a camp set up by the end of the year. By the time the camp opens, there should have been about two new cycles of wildlife births that won’t know the scourge of hunting, says Hilton Walker, Sales and Marketing Director at Great Plains Conservation. “We also have our eye on an existing property in Victoria Falls National Park.”
***

Watch this space as he attacks hunting in Zimbabwe

Glad I hunted Sapi during the going out of business sale last July!

That magical place is now a photo safari area that will fail in now time.

Chikweyna had this gorgeous lodge that had gone to hell I went to see. They gutter all the wires for salvage recently. They couldn't make a posh resort work and neither will the next. The costs and logistics are too great and it requires too many customers.

Sapi, Chikweyna and Chewore were best served by limited access hunt and fish camps.