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Tafika

About Tafika

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.

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.

Accommodation
6 Chalets
Children
OK for ages 12+
Open
1 May to 15 November

Activities

4WD Safari

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Guided walking safari

Mountain biking

Mountain biking

Night drive

Night drive

Tafika: Full Report

Safaris visiting Tafika

Just ideas, we'll always tailor-make a trip for you


Map

Perekani Walking Trail

10 days • 5 locations • 1 country
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

Five smart but rustic bushcamps are the comfortable staging posts for this walking safari in South Luangwa. The route offers outstanding seclusion and rich wildlife with top-quality guiding throughout.

Visiting South Luangwa

US$9,590 - US$12,210 per person

Read more about the Perekani Walking Trail

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Traveller reviews of Tafika

340 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.


98%
340 reviews since August 2007
Excellent
313
Good
24
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Mr & Mrs Pfromnorway

Arrived 13 Oct 2024, 2 nights

"Tafika review"

"WOW! Just fantastic! A real gem of a place. …" Read Mr & Mrs P’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

U.fromLuxembourg

Arrived 20 Sep 2024, 2 nights

"Tafika review"

"Good location.. Well managed.. Plenty of good wildlife …" Read U.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

U.fromLuxembourg

Arrived 25 Sep 2024, 1 nights

"Tafika review"

"remote... Plenty of leopards.. Elephants frequently visit …" Read U.’s full holiday review

Overall rating: Excellent

See all Tafika reviews

Our travellers’ wildlife sightings from Tafika

Click an animal to see our traveller's success in sighting them.
How we work this out.


Hippo

100% success

Zebra

99% success

Giraffe

99% success

Elephant

98% success

Buffalo

92% success

Leopard

92% success

Spotted Hyena

92% success

Lion

84% success

Wildebeest

46% success

Wild dog

42% success

Eland

9% success

Roan antelope

3% success

Sable antelope

1% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Tafika's location

Look closer at the environment and surroundings of Tafika.


When to go to South Luangwa National Park

Our month by month guide: What it's like to visit Tafika in South Luangwa National Park


Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

South Luangwa National Park in January

January marks the height of the wet season in South Luangwa. Expect frequent downpours, often lasting a few hours, with intermittent sunny periods. The mercury regularly climbs above 30°C, accompanied by high humidity. The park's landscape is verdant and lush, with crystal-clear air.

However, the abundance of water causes most larger animals to disperse, and the thick vegetation can hinder game viewing. Walking safaris are largely impractical during this time. Migratory birds, many in breeding plumage, boost the area's avian diversity. Most lodges close and the few that remain open offer their lowest rates. Only the central network of all-weather roads is reliably passable for 4WD safaris. Low numbers of visitors ensuring a tranquil park experience for those who do visit.

  • Wet season peak, frequent showers
  • Most lodges and all bush-camps are closed
  • Lush vegetation, ideal for photography
  • Large wildlife is scattered, can be challenging to spot
  • Few tourists, budget-friendly rates

Our view

This is not a great time to visit

Weather in January

Zambia fact file

Useful information and advice to help you prepare for a trip including Tafika


Excursions from Tafika

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst you're staying at Tafika. Talk to us: these are usually best arranged before you go.


Kawaza Village Visit

Kawaza Village Visit

Two to three hours

Just outside Zambia's South Luangwa National Park lies a normal, working rural African village which is open and welcoming to visitors to the Luangwa valley. There is nothing artificial or contrived about Kawaza Village, and it offers a rare opportunity to experience and appreciate Kunda culture, and meet local Zambians.

More about Kawaza Village Visit
100% (1 reviews)
Tribal Textiles Tour

Tribal Textiles Tour

One - two hours

Visit the Tribal Textiles workshop, where hand-painted textiles are produced by more than a hundred local people. The workshop is close to Mfuwe Airport, so is ideally placed for a stop en route to/from the South Luangwa. With products ranging from cushion covers to bags and T-shirts, it's a great place for souvenir shopping while at the same time supporting the local community.

More about Tribal Textiles Tour

Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park

Alternative places to stay in this same area.


Nkwali

Nkwali

On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.


96% (254 reviews)
Kaingo Camp

Kaingo Camp

Small and owner-run, the riverside Kaingo occupies a a quiet but excellent game area, with a series of wildlife hides and a focus on photography.


97% (221 reviews)
Nsefu

Nsefu

One of the Luangwa's oldest camps, Nsefu is a great safari camp in a remote, beautiful and game-rich location with top-rate guiding.


98% (205 reviews)
Mwamba Bushcamp

Mwamba Bushcamp

Small, remote and owner-run, Mwamba offers first-class walking, 4WD safari drives and superb hides, with excellent guides and a real bush feel.


99% (160 reviews)

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