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
Birdwatching
Cultural excursion
Guided walking safari
Mountain biking
Night drive
Safaris visiting Tafika
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Inspire meTraveller reviews of Tafika
340 real, un-edited reviews from Expert Africa's travellers.
Expert Africa's gallery
When we travel we take lots of photos ourselves to give you a real and un-edited view of the safaris. See our 37 pictures and 2 videos of Tafika to get the candid view.
View galleryOur travellers’ wildlife sightings from Tafika
Click an animal to see our traveller's success in sighting them.
How we work this out.
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Tafika's location
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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
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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.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.