Newmark Hotels & Reserves is proud to unveil its most anticipated masterpiece yet: Bupenyu Lodge, a soul-stirring sanctuary perched high above Zimbabwe’s legendary Batoka Gorge. Opening its doors to guests on 1 December 2025, Bupenyu is not just a destination — it is an awakening.
Reservations are officially open. This is your invitation to step into one of Africa’s most majestic landscapes — to rediscover stillness, wonder, and the wild magic of life itself.
Where Earth, Sky, and Spirit Converge
Just 28 kilometres from the thunderous wonder of Victoria Falls, Bupenyu Lodge rests serenely above Rapid No. 22 on the Zambezi River. Here, amid ancient stone and eternal sky, luxury doesn’t intrude — it harmonizes. The very name Bupenyu, meaning “life” in the local Nambya language, reflects the pulse of the land and the heartbeat of a culture that reveres it.
From the moment you arrive, you’re not just checking in — you’re crossing a threshold. The architecture, envisioned by the award-winning Experience Architects, suspends time and gravity. Its cantilevered silhouettes echo the steel poetry of the historic railway bridge below, while basalt-lined walkways and cliff-hugging suites carve a quiet path through miombo woodland — revealing one of the most jaw-dropping views in all of Africa: the mighty Zambezi, 180 metres below.
A Design-Driven Immersion in African Soul
Step inside, and the journey deepens. Interiors by Hinterland Studio’s Amy Kidger fuse elegant restraint with cultural richness: think handwoven textures, tactile stone, and curated local artistry that whispers rather than shouts. This is luxury with purpose — grounded, intentional, and intimately connected to the rhythms of the land.
Eleven cliffside suites (each with a private plunge pool) and an exclusive two-bedroom villa offer indoor-outdoor living that dissolves all barriers between you and the elements. You’re not just observing nature — you are in it. As General Manager Razwilson Dube says: “Nothing here looks out of place. We belong to the landscape — and invite our guests to belong, too.”
Beyond Five-Star: A Living Experience
Bupenyu isn’t built around a lobby — it’s built around moments. Dine across three open-air platforms, each offering a different perspective of the gorge’s majesty. Soak in the silence at a cliffside bird hide, inspired by the nesting grounds of the rare Taita falcon. Indulge in spa rituals under the open sky. Sip vintages in the wine cellar. Chase endorphins in the gym or on the one-kilometre running trail. Or arrive like royalty via the on-site helipad.
Every element is intentional — and so is the cuisine. Crafted by Chris Erasmus, Newmark’s celebrated Group Head Chef, and paired by Group Sommelier Marlvin Gwese, the culinary journey is a homage to terroir and tradition. Think wood-fired flavours, seasonal delicacies, and dishes that tell stories of the soil they come from.
An Invitation to Be Moved
But Bupenyu goes far beyond indulgence. It’s a gateway to life-changing adventure and deep cultural immersion. Guests can choose from an exhilarating menu of curated experiences:
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Helicopter flights over Victoria Falls
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White rhino conservation expeditions
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Horseback safaris
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Zambezi River cruises
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Day journeys into Chobe or Hwange National Parks
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Swimming at the edge of the world in Devil’s Pool
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Community connection in Chinotimba Township
And this isn’t performative tourism — it’s partnership. At least 80% of the Bupenyu team will come from nearby villages, championing local talent and heritage. Solar power, water-wise landscaping, and regenerative design ensure the lodge treads lightly, giving back more than it takes.
As Michael Liffmann, Newmark’s Director of Pre-Openings, puts it:
“Bupenyu is a love letter to Zimbabwe. A promise that we can design travel differently — with reverence, humility, and purpose.”
A New Benchmark for Africa
With Bupenyu, Newmark extends its presence into a sixth African nation, with even more openings on the horizon in Namibia and South Africa’s Lowveld. But this lodge is not just an expansion — it’s a statement.
Neil Markovitz, Founder and CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, sums it up best:
“Bupenyu Lodge is our tribute to Africa. To her wild beauty. To her people. To the spirit of adventure. And to the travellers who seek more than luxury — who seek meaning.”
Your Journey Begins Now
📅 Bookings are now open for stays from 1 December 2025.
📧 Email reservations@newmarkhotels.com to secure your place in the story.
Bupenyu isn’t just a destination.
It’s a rebirth.
A reconnection.
A return to life.
