Reviews of Tafika
Wildlife sightings and reviews
340 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Tafika and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Great Guides & Night Drives in Remote Area"
The quality of guiding at Tafika was very high. The guides were good about letting us in on their thought process and explaining why we were driving a certain way (e.g., because we were following tracks on the road) or why we were leaving a sighting (e.g., because the leopard seemed very nervous & it was better to come back at night). I think that previous reviews have commented on Tafika's limited driving area. That wasn't an issue for me, as I enjoyed going back to check on earlier sightings to see how things had progressed (e.g., leopard in grass with impala kill in bush, the same leopard in tree with impala kill in tree, impala kill pulled even further up the tree, etc.).
I did two walking safaris while I was there. Both were excellent.
Lloyd the driver did a great job of making the drive to and from Mfuwe enjoyable by pointing out wildlife when present and telling me more about village life such as how difficult transportation was in the rainy season.
One thing that would be nice is if the staff wore name tags. It was hard to keep track of everyone and it felt awkward to not know their names." See all these reviews: 6n in Zambia; 3n in South Africa; 2n in Zimbabwe
"Tafika review"
We were awoken by hippos and elephants outside our bungalow on the first night! Elephants frequented the camp and were great entertainment one afternoon at lunch. We went on a fantastic walking safari at this camp and were able to see two leopards in the distance. Great food too." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
"Tremendous Tafika"
We also went on two walking safaris with Brian which were brilliant, although I was a little disconcerted to discover we would be better in the river with crocodiles and hippos rather than facing an angry elephant!
John and Carol and their team were very welcoming hosts and we can not thank them enough for everything." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
"Our favourite Zambian camp"
The rooms are essentially straw huts but much more comfortable than that sounds (or the photos look). Inside is a large bed, enclosed at night, with bedside tables, in a large mosquito net. There are outside showers with constant piping hot water and covered loo. The rooms are well spaced out for privacy in a grassy encampment. There is in-room power for charging batteries, etc.
Dinners are served under the stars with staff members, including the charming owners, John and Carol. Game drives were very good although Tafika doesn't believe in using radios between vehicles for game spotting; we feel this is a disadvantage as it can mean not seeing as much as one might.
A must is the micro-light flights first thing in the morning, an optional extra not to be passed up.
All in all this was our favourite Zambian camp." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia; 4n in Malawi
"Tafika Camp Review"
Meeting the owners, John and Carol, and going up in the Micro-Lite were highlights of our stay." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
"Memorable Tafika"
We all gained knowledge from Brian's excellent guiding and expertise and never felt hurried when we wanted to stop and look at birds or watch animals. The evening drives with the sundowners beside the river listening and watching the hippos, and then the spotting in the dark meant that we saw a huge number of nocturnal animals.
That part of the South Luanga Park is slightly restricted, so after four days, we became familiar with the drives. However, it was not a problem as we continued to see new animals and birds. Our walk with Brian was interesting and informative and it was impressive to watch Brighton make a fire with a stick. The three of us who went up in the micro-light with John found the experience exhilarating and very worthwhile. Crossing the South Luangwa by canoe to go to our next camp was part of the fun.
In all, a superior camp where we all felt very relaxed and saw a lot of game and birds." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
"Tafika - A Truly Amazing Place to be"
The safari guides were really excellent. They were very informative, and we totally trusted them. They went out of their way to ensure everyone saw as much as possible, while keeping everything very relaxed and friendly; again being very attentive to individual needs.
The one thing I always struggle with at lodges and camps like this is the expectation that everyone will want to sit and eat and chat with others they don't know over dinner. Perhaps I'm being anti-social, but since my job involves a lot of chatting to people, on holiday I'd rather be just with the friends I go with, and not have to make polite conversation.
But I understand this is how they are run, and it's my problem not theirs. I really can't fault Remote Africa in any way and would certainly recommend them, and return there if possible. There was an almost tangible sense ot their professionalism and expertise." See all these reviews: 4n in Zambia
"Only a short visit to Tafika"
Nothing had changed which was nice to see and we were able to catch up with all our friends from previous times." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia
"A happy return to Tafika"
Throughout our four day stay we walked each morning then took a late afternoon/evening drive. This afforded us a fine balance in our activities allowing us to enjoy the abundant birdlife on the one hand (118 species seen and indentified) and the large mammals (notably leopards including three sightings of a young cub) on the other.
In short: highly recommended." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
"6th visit but this time in June"
For this our 6th visit we came in June to see the early season. Less animals as the grass is so high but more birds. We did see a leopard and her 6 month cub at night, but the lions were away chasing buffalo elsewhere.
The night is quite cold and needs a fleece for drives, but the day is glorious - clear, sunny and bright. It was well worth it as it is so different from the dry, hot September trips and the walking across the Luambwa was great." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Holiday styles & special interests in Zambia
From birdwatching breaks to walking holidays, find great ideas for your trip in Zambia.
Other lodges in South Luangwa National Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Nkwali
On the banks of the Luangwa River, with its own access to the national park, the intimate Nkwali is open year round.
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.
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.
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.
Tena Tena
One of the Luangwa's best camps, in a beautiful, remote bush location, Tena Tena is very small, exceedingly well-run and has top-rate guiding.
Chikoko Tree Camp
Chikoko Tree Camp is an excellent small, rustic bushcamp that concentrates on walking safaris, and is run by a top-quality operation.
Big Lagoon Camp
Big Lagoon Camp is a great little rustic bushcamp built to high standards that focuses on excellent walking safaris, with the emphasis on top wildlife guides.
Luangwa River Camp
Luangwa River Lodge is a small and consciously stylish lodge in the Mfuwe area, overlooking the Luangwa River and the South Luangwa National Park beyond – an area renowned for great game.
Flatdogs Camp
A relatively big safari camp, Flatdogs offers value for money with great guiding and good food in a comfortable, relaxed setting.
Kapani Lodge
Kapani Lodge is now the main office base for Norman Carr Safaris, one of the Luangwa's oldest safari operations.
Mchenja Bushcamp
Set in a shady ebony grove on the banks of the Luangwa, Mchenja is a smart tented bushcamp. It combines well with Kakuli and Nsolo – its sister camps with a focus on walking safaris.
Kakuli Bushcamp
Beside the Luangwa River, Kakuli is a comfortable tented bushcamp offering 4WD safaris and walking safaris – the best of which are camp-to-camp walks linking Kakuli with its nearby sister camps.
Nsolo Bushcamp
Nsolo is a small, comfortable bushcamp overlooking one or two pools in the usually dry Luwi riverbed. It concentrates on walking safaris in an interesting and diverse area, led by a knowledgeable guide.
Kafunta River Lodge
Kafunta is a laid-back, friendly and good-value lodge on the outskirts of South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Bushcamp
In a remote part of the South Luangwa National Park, Luwi is a rustic bushcamp whose emphasis is on walking safaris with great guiding and a chance of seeing some rarely seen and elusive antelope.
Lion Camp
Lion Camp is an established and comfortable camp with a swimming pool, located near to the game-rich Lion Plain in the northern part of South Luangwa National Park.
Robin Pope mobile
RPS mobile safari camps are at the heart of their set-itinerary walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park, which start and finish at a permanent camp.
Puku Ridge
Puku Ridge is a luxurious designer camp set in a stunning location, high on a hill overlooking a floodplain within South Luangwa. Explore from here on 4WD safaris and walks.
Kapamba Bushcamp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Kapamba is a small and very comfortable bushcamp offering good walks and game drives.
Mfuwe Lodge
In a game-rich area close to the South Luangwa’s main Mfuwe Gate, Mfuwe Lodge is relatively large by park standards, but it’s stylish, modern and family friendly.
Kuyenda Bushcamp
Kuyenda Bushcamp is a classic bushcamp with particularly delightful hosts and offers top-class walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park.
Luangwa Safari House
Luangwa Safari House is a vast and very smart four-bedroom house specifically designed for families and small groups, and offering an exclusive and flexible safari experience.
Three Rivers Camp
In the remote far south of South Luangwa National Park, Three Rivers Lodge sits at the confluence of three of the valleys rivers.
Island Bush Camp
Island Bushcamp is a good-value, rustic, walking-only camp, in arguably one of the most remote parts of the South Luangwa, well away from all other camps.
Bilimungwe Bushcamp
A smart bushcamp with four very spacious chalets, Bilimungwe offers interesting walking safaris in pretty riverine woodland, as well as day and night safari drives.
Chinzombo
Opened in early June 2013, Chinzombo offers luxurious and stylish accommodation with very high levels of service and excellent guiding.
Chindeni
Chindeni Bushcamp is a very modern and minimalist camp, which is a far cry from your traditional bushcamp and unlike most of the other camps in South Luangwa.
Robin's House
With your own expert guide, private vehicle, chef and valet, the two-bedroom Robin's House offers an exclusive, flexible safari experience – and is open year round.
Kawaza Village
Kawaza Village – beside the South Luangwa National Park, offers guests the rare opportunity to appreciate local village life. Visit for a few hours or stay overnight.
Chamilandu Bushcamp
A comfortable little bushcamp, Chamilandu has a picturesque setting by the Luangwa River, in an area with a range of habitats to explore on foot and by 4WD.
Mwamba Camp-out
The Mwamba-Camp Out allows you to have an incredibly adventurous night in the bush, sleeping under mosquito nets with activities led by some of the best guides in Zambia.
Zungulila
Zungulila is a small, comfortable tented bushcamp with an emphasis on walking safaris, in the remote southern section of the South Luangwa.
Shawa Luangwa
Opened in June 2021, Shawa Luangwa Camp is a small, intimate and rustic camp, with a good location in a remote section of the South Luangwa National Park.
Luwi Riverbed Sleepout
For an adventurous night in South Luangwa National Park, come and sleep out in the bush, around a campfire, with an experienced guide and game scout.
Chichele Lodge
Currently in the final stages of an extensive rebuild, Chichele Presidential Lodge stands high within the park, with superb views, and is due to reopen in early 2025.
Chikunto
Chikunto Safari Lodge is a more traditional property in the South Luangwa National Park, sitting on a peninsula of land created by the meandering Luangwa River.
