Perekani Walking Trail: Day-by-day

Unique, owner-run and with genuinely warm hospitality, Tafika combines some of Zambia's best guiding with great food and strong community connections. Tafika is rustic luxury at its best: rooms constructed with golden reeds, an elevated riverside setting, excellent cuisine and top-notch guiding.

Spread out on the banks of the Luangwa River, it's a captivating camp. Most guests are return visitors and it's easy to see why they come back time and time again. Owners John and Carol Coppinger have lived here for over 20 years, bringing up their children here, and welcoming guests to their corner of the Luangwa. Their daughter Jennifer, herself a qualified guide, and her husband Nick now skillfully manage the lodge alongside them, bringing new ideas to this experienced team, yet retaining same calm efficiency and authenticity that have long given Tafika its down-to-earth, family feel.

The camp itself is lovely. Only 6 chalets, spread across lush lawns, are ingenious. Crafted from reeds and thatch, they're rebuilt every year after the rains, and filled with home comforts amid the rustic ambience – huge beds with colourful linen from local business Tribal Textiles, USB charging ports, flushing toilets and hot showers under the stars.

From delicious meals, shared with the super team, to a productive wildlife hide at the centre of camp; fresh coffee round the campfire at dawn to the excellent safari activities – it’s a treat to stay here.

"Tafika continues to impress.. great to see staff members progress.."

Mr A.fromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 23 Aug 2024, 3 nights

Guiding is second to none: by bicycle, 4x4 or on foot. And consider walking to Tafika’s sister camps along the Chikoko Trails to get a real sense of Luangwa’s wilderness, with people who know the wildlife and landscape here like the back of their hands. See our full report on Tafika

On a remote, wildlife-rich walking trail, Chikoko is a brilliant little bush camp, simply but beautifully designed with great staff. Chikoko is just about as rustic as a bush camp could be with an imaginative, design and bags of character.

"Excellent guiding, we learnt a lot & had some exciting encounters with wildlife."

R & GfromUnited Kingdom

Arrived 16 Jul 2024, 2 nights

Most guests come here as part of a walking trail from sister camp Tafika, about a four hour walk away. On the banks of the Chikoko River (which is usually dry through the walking season) it’s far smaller and simpler than Tafika but still has the same relaxed atmosphere. Like its big sister, the rooms are made of reeds but are on two floors, with the bed upstairs and the shower, sink and toilet below. The main ‘building’ is simply a thatch shelter spread among the branches of a huge tree, with the ‘lounge’ a small sofa, chairs and brightly coloured cushions scattered around its roots. It has a fabulous ‘back-to-nature’ vibe, totally unspoilt and incredibly relaxing. But the best thing about this camp is chef Patson and the food he creates. He’s been here for some 20 years and he’ll shine with pride if you visit his kitchen – just an earth oven and an open fire, yet meals here are wholesome and delicious. The guiding and local knowledge is exceptional too, all contributing to one very cool safari experience. See our full report on Chikoko Tree Camp

Sitting on the edge of permanent water, Big Lagoon is a rustic bushcamp, accessed by foot in a remote area of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Part of Remote Africa Safaris’ superb ‘Chikoko Trails’ walking safari circuit, the tiny bushcamp of Big Lagoon opened in 2022. On a idyllic, historic site, overlooking the water, this was once the favoured campsite of intrepid safari explorers in the 1950s and 60s. An crumbling ruin beside the open-air camp kitchen is all that remains of their adventures here now, and instead three large, expertly-constructed, reed and thatch chalets have been installed for the safari season (they are rebuilt each year after the rains).

The small open-fronted rondaval is the hub of the camp life. Here you’ll gather for communal meals and drinks, discuss the days adventures and marvel at the tasty meals produced in the ground oven of the bush kitchen (do ask the chef for a tour). Historic photographs and a detailed map on the walls give a sense of your location and its history, and a couple of sofas make super siesta spots.

"great staff providing all we needed in a relaxed atmosphere."

Mr & Mrs RfromWhitchurch

Arrived 11 Aug 2024, 1 night

The mostly dry course of the Crocodile River, in which the lagoon is situated, is a scenic corridor to explore on walking forays led by an enthusiastic and fascinating guide and accompanied by a game scout. From herds of buffalo and towering giraffe to barking baboons and stealthy leopards, there's much to see here. And the camp's wooden deck, cantilevered over the lagoon, is an especially tranquil spot from which to listen to birdsong and watch wildlife drink and graze. It’s an idyllic hideaway! See our full report on Big Lagoon Camp

Mwamba is an utterly delightful camp, immersed in nature: it’s remote location and bushcamp vibe bring a touch of adventure to your safari. Located at the confluence of the East Mwamba & main Mwamba rivers, the approach to the camp is lovely, following the snaking, dry sandy riverbeds through mopane forest, ebony groves & grasslands. To truly soak up the idyllic surroundings, you can choose to arrive on foot as part of a gentle walking safari from Mwamba’s sister camp, Kaingo.

The camp itself is shaded within a grove of particularly beautiful ebonies. A neatly swept, open-air circle is at the heart of camp life. There’s a banqueting table for social dinners, a fabulous bar lit by beaded chandeliers and festooned with python vines clinging to the magnificent ebony tree around with the camp is centered. The open-air lounge area, where comfortable sofas & carved Malawi chairs cluster beside a reference bookshelf, sits under a triangular shade cloth, and there are deep cushioned chairs around an adjacent metal firepit & a large birdbath to attract passing avian visitors. It’s a camp nestled in its natural surroundings.

The four bamboo reed-&-thatch chalets have thoughtful, rustic-chic interiors with delicate beaded linens and comfortable beds.

"One of the best lodges... Excellent guides and great sightings"

U.fromLuxembourg

Arrived 18 Sep 2024, 2 nights

Thanks to its small size, Mwamba is very personal camp & activities are particularly flexible. Walking & driving safaris are on offer & the camp has its own hide, focused on a waterhole that regularly attracts birds & passing wildlife. The wildlife in the area is excellent: it’s one of South Luangwa’s best spots for Cookson’s wildebeest and eland are sometimes spotted in the area. You’re certainly guaranteed plenty of sightings to share over fireside drinks at the end of the day. See our full report on Mwamba Bushcamp

Small, personal, and fiercely independent, Kaingo thrives on being different, and makes a great choice for photographers. The influence of owners Derek and Jules Shenton permeates the entire camp – not least in their commitment to wildlife photography. Open-sided vehicles are kitted out with stabilisers, beanbags and camera dust covers, while a “window” seat is guaranteed on every game drive.

Then there are the camp’s stunning photographic hides, each with a different focus: carmine bee-eaters, elephants crossing the Luangwa River, hippos in a deep pool.

As if to emphasise the point, Jules’ own black-and-white photographs take pride of place in the rustic, brick-built chalets. Each of these has a tree-shaded outdoor bath, a private deck over the river – a blissful spot for a light lunch – and uninterrupted river views.

With game drives, safari walk and the hides, most camps would struggle to fit everything in, but at Kaingo, three activities a day are the norm. Top-class guiding is the norm here, too, yet it’s all very relaxed and friendly, with flexibility key to the camp’s approach. If you’d like to visit Kaingo’s community project, that, too, can be arranged.

"guiding second to none; location on the river is superb"

Mr & Mrs JfromChepstow

Arrived 10 Sep 2024, 4 nights

Back at camp, don’t miss the unique bar, crafted from an ancient leadwood tree. And if you can’t get enough of the elephants, consider spending a night under the stars in the elephant hide. See our full report on Kaingo Camp