Veteran safari operator Terry Kelly has confirmed he is relocating his operations from Chewore Lodge and Campsite to Illala in Mana, following a negotiated settlement that ends a 15-year dispute over the iconic Zambezi Valley property.
In a statement released on Sunday, 19 July 2026, the 73-year-old owner said he was extremely satisfied with the outcome brokered by the government after losing his Supreme Court appeal.
Chewore Lodge, operated by Kelly through his company Suscaden Investments, was ordered to vacate the site after High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi ruled in March 2025 that its 2010 lease was invalid, with the operator given until June 2025 to leave the property.
Kelly appealed, but the Supreme Court upheld the earlier High Court findings that the lease agreement, dating back to 2010, was invalid. The Supreme Court appeal was recently dismissed.
At the centre of the case was ministerial approval. The contested lease purported to grant Suscaden a large area within the Chewore North Safari Area, but the Minister at the time, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, denied ever signing the agreement.
The court found that the lease lacked clear, proven approval from the responsible minister, even though the document bore a signature that appeared to be that of the former minister, and ZimParks had accepted rent and treated the lease as legitimate for more than a decade.
Kelly, who operated the lodge for about 15 years through Suscaden Investments, is estimated to have invested millions of dollars into the lodge.
His case was that the agreement was valid, that a former ZimParks official confirmed it passed through official channels, although the document carried the minister’s signature and she denied it, and that ZimParks had accepted rent and treated the lease as valid for more than a decade.
He also cited a report from a South African graphologist verifying the signature.
The courts also heard that Big Five Safari Lodges held a pre-existing lease over the entire Chewore North Safari Area.
Following the Supreme Court judgement, the 73-year-old owner said he was extremely saddened and vowed to fight on. The family vowed to take its battle to the Constitutional Court after losing at the Supreme Court.
The dispute was not just a courtroom battle. Kelly’s daughter, Laura, said the family had endured being illegally shut down, an encounter with armed rangers at the camp, facing false charges and her father’s brief abduction and detainment.
The case sparked wider debate about concession approvals and security of long-term investments in wildlife and tourism.
On 15 January 2026, the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife intervened, saying it was facilitating an amicable resolution that complies with the law while also protecting investment.
The Ministry said Zimbabwe remains open for business and reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion, facilitation and protection of investment.
In his statement, Kelly said that after the disappointing Supreme Court outcome, a meeting was convened involving all parties to the dispute. He said he attended with hesitation, but it proved to be a turning point.
He said discussions were chaired by Ambassador Tadeous Chifamba, then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment.
Ambassador Chifamba had served as Zimbabwe’s envoy to the United States since 2020 before being appointed Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife.
Kelly said that through the efforts of the Ambassador, Prof. Gandiwa and their team, a resolution was achieved that had eluded them for 15 years.
“We are pleased to say that the negotiated settlement has delivered an outcome with which we are extremely satisfied,” Kelly said.
As part of the agreement, Kelly will relocate from Chewore. He said while opinions may differ on the decision, it was the right path forward and brings peace of mind.
“We have been fortunate to secure a beautiful new location where we can continue our vision and enjoy the next chapter of our lives,” he said.
He confirmed the team is moving operations from Chewore to Illala in Mana, describing it as an exciting time and part of retirement plans.
Kelly thanked friends, clients, supporters, community leaders, and government officials who helped facilitate the resolution, and Zimbabweans who stood by the family.
“To those who may feel sympathy for us, please know that we are happy and looking forward to the future with enthusiasm,” he said.
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