Chewore Lodge and Campsite, a long-established safari and camping destination in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley, has officially closed as its owners relocate operations to a new site in the Mana Pools Wilderness following the resolution of a legal dispute that lasted approximately 15 years.
In a statement shared on Facebook on August 3, former owners Terry William Kelly and his family confirmed the move, marking the end of operations at the Chewore property and the beginning of a new venture within the Mana Pools region.
“Chewore Lodge and Campsite is now closed, as we are relocating to a new site in Mana Pools Wilderness — one of the most beautiful areas in Zimbabwe,” the family told Pindula.
“We’re just a month into the move, so the new camp doesn’t have a name yet, but our plan is a small, upmarket, well-maintained camp with secluded and private sites — some with river frontage, some tucked into forest. Details are still coming together, but it promises to be a truly unique experience.”
The family also invited former guests to register their interest for future stays, noting that prospective visitors can leave their email addresses to be added to a provisional booking list for 2027. They said guests will be contacted once reservations officially open.
Chewore Lodge and Campsite is located at the confluence of the Chewore and Zambezi rivers within the Chewore North Safari Area. The area forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Mana Pools National Park and the Sapi Safari Area. The property had been operated for about 15 years by Kelly, through Suscaden Investments, with the family reporting that millions of dollars had been invested in developing the lodge and campsite.
The relocation follows a series of court rulings concerning the validity of the property’s lease agreement with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks). In March 2025, Zimbabwe’s High Court ordered the closure of the lodge and the eviction of its operator after determining that the 25-year lease agreement between ZimParks and Suscaden Investments was invalid from the outset.
The High Court found that the lease lacked the required approval from the responsible government ministry and exceeded the maximum lease duration permitted under the law. The court also ruled that the collection of rental payments by ZimParks over the years did not validate the agreement. Suscaden Investments was ordered to vacate the property by June 19, 2025.
Kelly appealed the decision, but on January 12, 2026, Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court upheld the High Court ruling. The court concluded that there was no evidence of valid ministerial approval for the lease after Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri denied signing the document.
In its judgment, the Supreme Court stated: “No amount of prior conduct can breathe life into an agreement that was void from the outset,” dismissing the argument that years of rent collection legitimized the lease.
Court proceedings also addressed the existence of a competing lease, with evidence presented that Big Five Safari Lodges held a pre-existing lease covering the Chewore North Safari Area. Following the Supreme Court decision, the Kelly family indicated it intended to pursue the matter further through the Constitutional Court.
On January 15, 2026, Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife announced it was working toward “an amicable resolution” that would comply with legal requirements while protecting private investment. After several months of negotiations involving government officials, including former Permanent Secretary Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba, the parties reached a settlement.
On July 19, 2026, Kelly announced that an agreement had been reached under which ZimParks allocated the family a new site in the eastern section of Mana Pools. In their August 3 update, the family confirmed that relocation activities were already underway.
“We have been fortunate to secure a beautiful new location where we can continue our vision and enjoy the next chapter of our lives,” Kelly said.
For campground, safari lodge, and glamping operators, the case illustrates the operational importance of securing legally compliant lease agreements and maintaining clear regulatory approvals, particularly when investing in protected areas or public lands.
Long-term tourism developments often require substantial capital investment, making due diligence on land tenure, concession terms, and government authorizations an important component of risk management.
The settlement also demonstrates that negotiated resolutions between operators and government agencies may provide a pathway for preserving tourism investment while addressing legal and regulatory concerns.
The closure of Chewore Lodge and Campsite concludes operations at one of the Zambezi Valley’s established fishing and safari destinations, while the Kelly family prepares to launch a new camp in the Mana Pools Wilderness with plans for a small-scale operation featuring private campsites and accommodations.