Welcome to Zambia! After arrival at Mfuwe Airport you will be met by our representative and led to your vehicle for the road transfer to the stunning Tafika Camp. Owner run and bush home to John and Carol Coppinger, two of the owners of our Zambian partners Remote Africa Safaris, Tafika Camp’s remote location makes it ideal for those who really want to get away from it all and experience the bush in the true sense of the word.
Situated on the banks of the Luangwa, the camp provides amazing views of the river with plenty of opportunity to see elephants crossing, hippos wallowing and king fishers darting in and out the river offering a wonderful to relax when not enjoying walking safaris, cycling trails, microlighting, or day & night game drives! The camp is built using natural materials and local skills and is testimony to the eco-friendly and sustainable ethos of the safari operation. With only 6 chalets, a maximum of 12 guests can be accommodated at any one time which makes the camp an intimate and personalised experience. Some of the best guides in Zambia are on hand to share their knowledge and skills, further enhancing your time in the unspoilt African bush.
Game drives: all vehicles are open, comfortable and accommodate only four guests allowing for great photographic moments and plenty of opportunity to ask the guide questions. Morning drives set off early from camp and are taken at a relaxed pace. A stop is taken at a scenic sight during the morning to enjoy a hot cuppa’ and snack. On afternoon drives, sundowners are taken overlooking the Luangwa River, after which a spotlight is brought into play, revealing Africa’s nocturnal wildlife.
Night game drives: led by an experienced guide accompanied by a hawk-eyed spotter who controls the spotlight and finds many nocturnal animals rarely seen during the day activities.
Walking safaris: on foot, guests are given the rare opportunity to become part of nature, to immerse themselves in the wonders that present themselves at every turn. A walking safari is always led by an experienced guide with an armed National Park scout and a tea bearer so their are many eyes ready to spot the Luangwa’s wildlife, identify the smallest insect, track last night’s lion spoor and identify a possible threat before it really becomes one.
Mountain bike safaris: sitting in a game-viewing vehicle or walking delicately through the African bush may not provide the level of activity craved by more energetic guests. For these guests Tafika offers mountain bike safaris led by an experienced guide who in most cases is the owner, John Coppinger. The cycling route takes the safari cyclists along the tracks and paths of the Game Management Area, adjacent to Tafika Camp. Mountain bike safaris generally take place in the afternoon. This gives participating guests enough time to finish their ride and meet up with the game drive, just before sunset, giving them the opportunity to enjoy the sights and sounds of a night drive after an hour and a half of cycling.
Cultural visits: the local village, Mkasanga, kindly invites guests to visit and gives them the opportunity to learn about the lives of the people from the Luangwa Valley. Highlights of these visits include: a guided tour of the local school – proudly showcased by the teachers, a visit to the village and a local church choir performance where guests experience the perfect harmony of Africa’s song.
Hides: at least one seasonal Carmine bee-eater hide is built annually at Tafika. The hide is built into the banks of the Luangwa river to gain the best view of the carmine colony as they flock around their newly dug breeding holes. This hide is generally available during September and October and visits to the guide are done with a guide.
The Tafika camp hide is available to all camp guests and can be accessed any time of the day from the camp. The hide is a dug out seating chamber that looks out over a lagoon behind the camp. Birds, baboons and antelope frequent the lagoon and elephants visit on a daily basis from about August during the hotter time of the year.