Zambezi, Zimbabwe
Hospitality
475m²
July 2025
The Villas at Nyamepi Lodge epitomize luxury eco-tourism, with 12 off-grid units overlooking the majestic Zambezi River. Designed to elevate guests above the sloping terrain, the villas offer both a vantage point and protection from the wilderness and shifting water levels. Expansive openings and extended decks maintain an uninterrupted connection to the river and bush. Each villa features en-suite bathrooms, open-plan living areas, spacious bedrooms, outdoor showers, and fire bomas. Guests also enjoy bush trails, river walks, and shared amenities, including dining facilities, a bar, a spa, a gym, and a pool nestled among granite boulders.
Rooted in Zimbabwe’s architectural vernacular, the lodge uses site-sourced materials—clay bricks for feature walls, local grasses, and timber for sweeping thatched roofs. Passive design principles, optimized through BIM software, enhance natural ventilation and shading, reducing reliance on mechanical systems. Solar power and fresh spring water systems ensure self-sufficiency.
The layout prioritizes guest privacy, orienting units to maximize views while minimizing sightlines from shared pathways. Construction was carefully planned to preserve the landscape, aligning with Pemba’s vision of harmonizing eco-tourism luxury with sustainable design