Tafika Camp
Tafika Camp is a family run bush lodge overlooking the Luangwa River just outside the northern edge of the Nsefu sector of South Luangwa National Park.
John and Carol Coppinger have lived and hosted at Tafika for over 20 years, and Tafika is one of the very few truly ‘owner-run’ properties in Southern Africa. In 2018 their daughter Jenny and her partner Nick joined the team. Most of the staff, including some of the guides, have been with John and Carol from the early days, and the camp has a very established feel with a warm, social atmosphere very high levels of personal service – our clients are always extremely well cared for at Tafika. The accommodation and hospitality side of things is of a very good standard, but Tafika is not striving to offer a luxury experience, and it retains a bush feel and atmosphere. The guiding is very good and the range of activities more varied than in other South Luangwa camps as due to their location (technically just outside the park) they have access to the local village and offer cultural tours and mountain biking. Big-game viewing is excellent in the northern Nsefu sector of the park, but Tafika offers just a little bit more than pure game viewing, it is somewhere that also encourages relaxation in a beautiful bush setting, whilst being looked after by their wonderful team.
Rooms
Tafika accommodates up to 14 guests in six comfortable and spacious grass and thatch chalets, each having en suite open-air bathroom facilities including a flush toilet, sink and plumbed shower. One of the chalets is ideal for families and includes two separate bedrooms and two separate showers and toilets. Each chalet has 24 hour lighting and plumbed hot water, though they otherwise retain an authentic bush feel with brick floors, neatly woven grass walls and bamboo doors. All the chalets open onto lawns and face the Luangwa River.
Central Areas
A short walk from the chalets takes you to the main areas which include an open plan bar, lounge and dining area under thatch, leading out to an outdoor dining area and camp fire area overlooking the Luangwa River course.
Facilities
Wi-Fi – Yes
Power for charging – Yes
Swimming pool – No
Habitat & Wildlife
The Luangwa Valley is one of Africa’s most scenic and game-rich National Parks. Forming part of the southern end of the Great Rift Valley, the wide valley floor is about 1,000ft lower than the surrounding plateau and through the centre flows the Luangwa River which is fed by dozens of sand rivers during the rainy season, causing it to become a raging torrent. It frequently alters its course from season to season, causing many ox-bow lakes to form. These lakes are very important to the ecology of the valley and account for the high carrying capacity of the park.
Elephant, although slightly smaller than their southern African savannah counterparts, are plentiful, as are buffalo (in huge herds), kudu, waterbuck, puku, impala, bushbuck, and warthog. Thornicrofts giraffe (endemic to the region) are commonly seen and the Cookson’s wildebeest can be seen in the northern sector of the park. Along the river hippo can be seen in their hundreds, in the late dry season packed into ever decreasing water pools, whilst huge crocs laze on the many sand banks. However, the park is perhaps best known for its predator populations, in particular lion and leopard, the latter of which are seen regularly by day and at night. Wild dogs have made a good comeback in the park in recent years and are often sighted. Night drives can also be very productive, with nocturnal species such as civet, genet, honey badger, white-tailed mongoose, spotted hyaena and porcupine regularly seen in addition to the many superb leopard sightings.
The birdlife of the Luangwa is equally exceptional, with over half of the total Zambia species (around 700) being recorded here. Commonly sighted species include crowned crane, carmine- and white-fronted bee-eaters (which nest in the banks of the river from late August onwards), Lilian’s lovebird, purple-crested turaco, paradise whydah, striped kingfisher and the impressive saddlebill storks. Pel’s fishing owl are also regularly seen.
Activities
Game viewing from Tafika is by open four-wheel drive vehicle (day and night) and on foot, whilst cycling safaris and visits to the local village are also possible. The camp also has three hides that can be accessed from camp. Firstly, a hide towards the rear of the property overlooking a small pumped waterhole which offers good photographic opportunities, secondly a seasonal hide which focuses on a nearby Carmine bee-eater nesting site which is very active in September/ October each year, and thirdly a new ‘river hide’ set at the foot of the river bank overlooking the river which attracts game to drink. The permanent hide and the new river hide can be accessed by guests throughout the day unaccompanied whilst the Carmine hide can only be visited with a guide.
Seasons
Tafika Camp is open from May to mid-November, though game viewing conditions will be best from July to October.
Children of eight years and above are accepted at Tafika, though this rule is sometimes relaxed in low season when the camp is not busy. However, children must be 12 years old to join walking safaris. Their family unit provides super family accommodation, and the variety of activities will appeal to more active families with slightly older children. There is no swimming pool.
Remote Africa Safaris, owners of Tafika Camp, operate the Tafika Fund which sees $5 a day for each guests’ stay go to the programmes operated by the Fund. Through donations from guests, tour operators and Remote Africa Safaris, the Fund supports government run Mkasanga School. They assist in the education of children from the local communities through scholarships and sponsorships to pupils, stationery supplies and payment of salaries for five school staff members at Mkasanga School. The skills programme within the Fund is growing to cover other areas such as medicine, agriculture and specialist trades including mechanics, carpentry and tailoring. They have provided maintenance to assist in the upkeep of the school and solar lighting for homework rooms which would otherwise not be able to operate in darkness. The Fund has also built an outpatient clinic in the village with hopes of expansion to include an inpatient and maternity wing.
Remote Africa Safaris started and funds the Football for Wildlife initiative which uses the love of football to educate the Luangwa valley communities in wildlife conservation and awareness. The Football for Wildlife league brings together teams from North and South Luangwa, each village forming a team and so assisting in communication with in the communities. The league now also includes a ladies’ league and in doing so drives the empowerment of women.
Remote Africa Safaris also donates $5 per bednight from two of their properties to the conservation programme in South Luangwa and $5 per bednight from two of their properties to Conservation programme in North Luangwa. These conservation programmes are involved in the de-snaring of wildlife, anti-poaching initiatives and community-wildlife conflictions in the Luangwa.
Tafika are members of Pack for a Purpose where guests may use the empty space in their suitcases for donations of much needed supplies for Mkasanga School.
