TAFIKA CAMP
SOUTH LUANGWA
FROM:
USD610.00 - 1230.00
FOR WHO?
SOLO/FAMILY/GRPS
STYLE:
4* ECO CAMP
Tafika Camp is an intimate, owner-run safari camp set deep in the remote northern reaches of South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia. Tucked beneath giant sausage and leadwood trees on the banks of the Luangwa River, it offers a peaceful, authentic bush experience far from the busier central parts of the park, with sweeping river views and abundant wildlife right from camp. John and Carol Coppinger established Tafika in 1995 with a vision of creating a warm, personal safari base that showcased the best of the Luangwa Valley’s wildlife and guiding traditions. Over the years, the family has continued to live on site and run operations, with later generations now involved in leadership, contributing to a genuine family atmosphere that many guests remark upon.
✔ REMOTE RIVERSIDE CAMP IN THE WILD, LITTLE-VISITED NORTHERN SECTOR OF SOUTH LUANGWA
✔ INTIMATE FAMILY-RUN SAFARI CAMP WITH A WARM, AUTHENTIC BUSH ATMOSPHERE
✔ SUPERB WALKING SAFARIS, NIGHT DRIVES AND ADVENTUROUS MOUNTAIN BIKE SAFARIS
✔ RUSTIC-CHIC CHALETS REBUILT FROM NATURAL MATERIALS EACH YEAR
✔ STRONG CONNECTION TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND A LONG SAFARI HERITAGE IN ZAMBIA
THE FULL STORY
The lodge style here is informal yet comfortable, with a strong emphasis on being close to nature rather than luxurious, polished hotel-style finishes. Common areas are open to the bush, including a shared lounge and dining space shaded by thatch where guests gather for meals and sundowners around a crackling fire. The vibe is homely and relaxed, reflecting the long-standing family-run ethos of the camp rather than a highly branded safari lodge. We love this place, most people do - it is the way safari camps should be!
Accommodation at Tafika consists of six reed-and-thatch chalets built from natural materials around tree trunks, designed to blend into the wilderness. The camp sleeps a maximum of about 14 guests, maintaining exclusivity and privacy. Each chalet has en-suite facilities with showers that open to the sky and flushing toilets, and large mosquito nets draped over comfy beds give that classic safari feel under the stars. Four of the chalets have twin double beds, perfect for friends or families, one is a honeymoon suite with a generous king bed, and another is a two-room family chalet with king and double beds, making it suitable for groups or families traveling together.
Facilities at Tafika are deliberately simple and in keeping with the bush setting. There is no swimming pool or air-conditioning; instead, guests enjoy shaded outdoor spaces, solar-powered lighting and charging points, USB outlets in the chalets, and communal areas where you can relax and listen to the sounds of wildlife. A few hides are positioned around the camp’s waterhole, offering excellent opportunites for game watching and photography without leaving camp.
Activities focus on immersive wildlife experiences. Game viewing on open-4×4 day and night drives, and sunrise and sunset walking safaris let you explore with highly knowledgeable guides and an armed scout. For the more adventurous, mountain bike safaris take you along game tracks, and there are cultural visits to nearby Mkasanga Village where you can learn about local life and visit the community school.
Tafika lies roughly 1.5–2 hours by road from Mfuwe International Airport, a journey often taken as part of the safari experience itself, winding through the bush with chances to spot wildlife. For greater convenience, light aircraft transfers can be arranged to a closer private airstrip, cutting the travel time. The camp operates seasonally from May to mid-November – the dry season when wildlife sightings are at their peak and the terrain is most accessible.
GALLERY
EVERY TRIP IS UNIQUE, LET US TAILOR MAKE A
KENYA SAFARI FOR YOU
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