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Reviews of Tafika

Wildlife sightings and reviews

318 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

Wildlife sightings by our travellers
Starting in May-2018, 78 of our travellers have recorded their wildlife sightings at Tafika.
Lion

87% success

Leopard

92% success

Wild dog

45% success

Hippo

100% success

Giraffe

99% success

Zebra

99% success

Elephant

97% success

Buffalo

92% success

Spotted Hyena

91% success

Wildebeest

49% success

Eland

11% success

Roan antelope

3% success

Sable antelope

2% success

Aardvark

0% success

Pangolin

0% success

Showing 1-10 of 318
Duration
Arrival date
Mr. C
New Forest

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 19 Oct 2023
"An established and excellent camp in a great location with wonderful staff and the usual amazing food.

You do have to be prepared for elephants wandering around the camp at any time but for me this is one of the best parts!

A real home from home." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Mrs W
UK

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 14 Oct 2023
"We had been to Tafika many years ago and enjoyed it , this time we travelled with friends and the atmosphere was not the same. We had a great guide Billy, the camp is in a fabulous location and as documented the game viewing is superb. The accommodation is spacious and is great but sadly our welcome was poor manger was off sick which I guess didn’t help. This was such a contrast to the camp we had left it really stood out but of course first impressions count. The staff didn’t seem that happy and although the family were often around and friendly just a few changes would take it back to being excellent. Food needs updating and they were the only camp that didn’t seem to have got dietary requirements for us and even when we checked it took 24 hours and having to raise it as a issue before things improved but compared to the other 3 camps we stayed in, did not make the same effort. Still you can’t beat the camp for location, guiding and the fact it is in a quieter bit of the park which is busier these days so still worth a visit but maybe trading on these things and needs a bit of updating ." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Average

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Average
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Average
Facilities:
Good
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Sable antelope

1 sighting

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

4 sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Ms A
Calgary

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 11 Oct 2023
"Tafika was the first camp in an RAS journey of 10 nights. I arrived late, after travelling the day from Johannesburg, and was just in time for dinner. I'm not sure I would do it this way again, as it meant I missed the evening activity, but the road transfer did give me a chance to get to know Bo, who would be my spotter for the next 3 days. Even with a fairly full camp, I wound up having Stephen as my guide all to myself (how lucky am I?), and this is just sometimes how it goes when the camp has groups to accommodate together. (Stephen then even came with me to the first walking camps as well). His sense of humour, and incredible depth of knowledge were wonderful. Actually, the guiding was superior to anything I have experienced to date.

The camp itself is laid out quite nicely. There is very limited wi-fi here, but only in the "naughty corner", not in your rooms. I liked the opportunity to message home to say I'd arrived safely, and my family appreciated that as well. As a solo traveller, I very much enjoy a communal dining experience. So much so, that I would exclude going to a camp if meals were separate. There is something special about meeting fellow travellers from all over the world, and recapping the days sightings and happenings with food and wine. Tafika had different tables set up, each hosted by someone, be that an owner, or a manager, or a guide. They switched things up over the 3 night stay, and I thought that was quite a wonderful way to do it.

The "huts", or "chalets" were lovely, and open. Lots of space. There were definitely bats that came to the room between 5:15am and 5:30am every day. I loved them, and loved watching them fly around in the new light, but if that is something that may bother you, then maybe an open design isn't for you. I found the mosquito nets at night very good. No rips or tears, and the overlap was very deep. I didn't find a single insect inside. Rechargeable fans are new there, and in the October heat, very welcome. Nice and quiet. I was escorted both in the evenings, and to breakfast in the mornings, even though I was the closest to the main area. This might have perhaps been because of the big bull elephant (he had a torn left ear) in musth who was frequenting camp during my stay.

I loved the vehicles for the game drives. No canopy. Very easy for photography. I loved seeing the dogs, on almost every game drive, and the landscapes were incredible. This was my first trip to SLNP, and in fact, to Zambia. I've never seen so many hippos and large crocodiles, and was so happy to soak it all in. The "sighting of my life" happened here lol. (maybe that is a slight exaggeration, but it WAS pretty amazing). A leopard attacked a baboon, the baboon troop came to the rescue. We waited to see the "finish", only to have a male elephant decide he didn't like us blocking "his" road, and a herd of 500+ buffalo come to surround us. 3 of the big 5 in one go. And we had this sighting all to ourselves. Not even a film crew around.

And on that topic...... film crews in the Nsefu Sector. At best: annoying. At their worst: on a power trip. There was one truck, with a young couple who were extremely pleasant. They would invite us to sightings, would smile, wave, and share knowledge. I cannot say the same for the BBC crews. That is all I want to say here, on it. But I sincerely hope that their contracts during the covid period will soon be up, and filming will wrap. I realize that this shouldn't reflect on Tafika Camp itself, but it did affect my experience, and so I've included it here.

Tafika is amazing, and was the perfect "launch pad" for the next 7 nights of walking camps. I found the staff to be warm. The owners fun, and hospitable. The "feel" and genuine welcome, combined with absolutely expert guiding, and a fabulous, game rich area to explore, make it exceptional. It is definitely in my "tops" list, and I will return." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

2 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

3 sightings

Spotted Hyena

3 sightings

Wild dog

4 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Ms P
London

"Tafika review"

2 nights Arrived 2 Oct 2023
"This was my first stay at Tafika, although I have stayed at other Remote camps in both South and North Luangwa.

It's a lovely camp, with very comfortable chalets, a great position on the river and regular visits from elephants; it's a bit larger than the other camps, and was full, too, so it felt a bit busier than the other places we stayed at.

Having the Coppinger family around at mealtimes offers a great opportunity to learn about the area, and issues impacting it and Zambia.

In terms of game-viewing, wild dogs were a highlight." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Good

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Good
Activities:
Good
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

1 sighting

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr A.
United Kingdom

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 24 Sep 2023
"There is an air of tranquility about Tafika.

Carol and John regularly joined us for lunch and the guides and others took it in turns to join us at dinner, all of which made for interesting conversations.

Everything is done to a very high standard and was faultless." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

10 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

10 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Wild dog

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mr J & Ms D
UK

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 18 Sep 2023
"Beautiful location and excellent facilities with spacious room. The river view is superb.

Hands on, friendly owners who were keen to share their experiences and add to our understanding of the area.

Excellent game drives with an incredible variety of animals. The night drives in particular were outstanding as was the pack of 19 wild dogs and the lions swimming across the river. The herd of buffalo going down to the river to drink was also impressive. The guides were very knowledgeable and informative.

Good efficient staff who were all very helpful and attentive. Excellent food throughout the day." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

3 sightings

Wildebeest

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

A&S
Northampton

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 8 Sep 2023
"Loved Tafika, the location, wildlife viewing, staff, food was excellent and we hope to go back at a different time in the season." See all these reviews: 14n in Zambia; 5n in Malawi
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

1 sighting

Elephant

6 sightings

Giraffe

3 sightings

Hippo

6 sightings

Leopard

5 sightings

Spotted Hyena

4 sightings

Zebra

3 sightings

MAH
St Albans

"Tafika our favourite camp"

4 nights Arrived 2 Sep 2023
"We were met with a warm welcome from Vel who immediately made us feel at home after a very long journey.

Tafika was well run with amazing views of the Luangwa river and many Hippos. Early morning breakfasts with the sunrise in the background were a delight. Both lunch and dinner was hosted either by Jen, Nic or one of the guides.

All of the game drives gave us great sightings.Through the night there were plenty of animal visitors but we felt safe with the guards on duty.

We did a walking safari after a quick canoe trip across the river and had a fantastic Lion sighting.

The reed chalet are rustic but have all the comforts you need." See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Good
Food:
Good
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

1 sighting

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

6 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

1 sighting

Spotted Hyena

4 sightings

Zebra

6 sightings

David
Doha

"Tafika review"

1 night Arrived 1 Sep 2023
"Tafika is a great camp with fabulous views over the Luangwa river." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Dr & Mrs S
Cheshire

"A great place to stay"

10 nights Arrived 28 Aug 2023
"We have stayed several times at Tafika, and it is always excellent.

One of us now has mobility problems, and the staff were universally expert in making everything run as smoothly as possible." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Location:
Excellent
Service:
Excellent
Activities:
Excellent
Rooms:
Excellent
Food:
Excellent
Facilities:
Excellent
Sightings Report

Buffalo

4 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

10 sightings

Lion

8 sightings

Spotted Hyena

8 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Showing 1-10 of 318
98%
318 reviews of Tafika by travellers since August 2007
Overall rating by our travellers
294
21
2
1
0
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