Cliffside Retreat in Zimbabwe

Newmark Hotels & Reserves’ new ultra-luxury retreat Bupenyu Lodge, perched high above Zimbabwe’s Batoka Gorge, offers views of one of the continent’s most dramatic natural backdrops.

WORDS Gina Dionisio

Bupenyu — meaning “life” in the local Nambya language — embodies a celebration of life’s vibrancy. A fitting name, then, for Newmark Hotels & Reserves’ newest luxury lodge, which blends refined comfort and thoughtful design to honour the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

Set just 28 kilometres from Victoria Falls and located above the banks of the Zambezi River, Bupenyu Lodge is an ideal escape for those seeking to reconnect with nature’s quiet magnificence. Designed by Stellenbosch-based Experience Architects, the lodge pays homage to its setting through cantilevered forms, tensile cables and basalt-lined walls, reflecting the geology of the area and river, some 180 metres below.

The lodge features eleven cliffside suites and an exclusive two-bedroom villa, which blend harmoniously with the rugged terrain, connected by pathways that wind through indigenous miombo woodland. Each suite features a private plunge pool, generous indoor-outdoor living spaces, and natural textures that root the experience firmly in place.  

The interiors, designed by Amy Kidger of Hinterland Studio, blend local crafts and natural materials to create a calm and grounded atmosphere. This design echoes the lodge’s belief that true luxury is found in authenticity, intention, and a deep connection to the surrounding environment. “Nothing looks out of place,” says General Manager Razwilson Dube. “We are part of this landscape, and our guests are invited to become part of it, too.”

Shared spaces flow naturally across the site, including three distinct dining platforms, a boma inspired by the nesting grounds of the rare Taita falcon, a cliffside bird hide, spa treatment pods, an infinity pool, a wine cellar, a gym with a one-kilometre running track, and an on-site helipad for seamless transfers.

Community and connection to the land play an important role at the Lodge. “Bupenyu is designed to deliver authentic experiences that honour Zimbabwe and its people. We see this lodge as the culmination of our philosophy: creating transformative journeys rooted in place, elevated through design, hospitality, and sustainability,” says Michael Liffmann, Newmark’s Director of Pre-Openings and Portfolio Development.

Bupenyu Lodge officially opens its doors on 1 December 2025 and is now open for early booking enquiries. | newmarkhotels.com

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