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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 11-20 of 318
Duration
Arrival date
Mr&Mrs M
Wisconsin

"Tafika review"

2 nights Arrived 19 Aug 2023
"We were happy to return and end our safari here. It was quite nice to go for a couple night drives and see the lions and leopard hunting. My favorite is still walking but it really was nice to have a couple drives and the sundowner was awesome! GT - the best!" See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr&Mrs M
Wisconsin

"Tafika review"

1 night Arrived 15 Aug 2023
"We absolutely loved our experience at Tafika!! It was simply amazing! The delicious food, wonderful accommodations and service was exceptional. Our guide Amon was fantastic. Walking out in the bush was so much fun - we loved it! I loved the garden at Tafika and how they have worked with the local village with education and opportunity. The staff that came from the village were awesome." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Wildebeest

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Tom & Lise
NC USA

"Tafika camp, a marvelous starting point"

2 nights Arrived 16 Jul 2023
"Our entire experience at Tafika was excellent.

The staff at Tafika were friendly, attentive and accommodating from our initial contact to our departure for Chikoko camp.

We arrived after dark and the driver was engaging and on the look out for wildlife - even spotting lions and an Eagle Owl during our transport.

The staff scheduled dinner to accommodate our arrival and we were greeted with candlelight dinner on the banks of the Luangwa River serenaded by hippos - how could it get better... but it did.

The accommodations were rustic, but lacked nothing - and we have never slept better than we did during our safari.

Breakfast sunrises were epic, served over looking the river.

The game drives were efficient and informative, rich with wildlife and excellent guides. The refreshments at sunset by the Luangwa River in the company of Giraffe closed a memorable first day.

It was also impressive that the Coppinger family were at the camp and actively engaged in making our stay special. They were friendly, approachable and it was pleasure discussing Africa and the history of the camps with them." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia; 2n in South Africa
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

Lion

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

A&L
Qatar

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 23 Jun 2023
"Yes, Tafika was indeed “rustic” (I think that was the word you used when we discussed options when planning our holiday). Nevertheless, it was extremely comfortable - and we really enjoyed our stay. This was our first ever safari – so we had nothing to judge Tafika against. We felt very comfortable, safe and the game viewing was exceptional. We have a few minor critical comments that we hope are seen as constructive and are based upon our perceptions and feelings rather than anything concrete:

Whilst on one hand, we rather like the family business feel of the enterprise, it was sometimes a little overpowering. Each evening when we returned from a drive, the 4 members of the family plus one of the guides (who was an original founder along with John) would be stood drinking at the bar whilst others were working. This gave us a somewhat uncomfortable perception. Whilst the family were always kind, engaging and inclusive, it sometimes felt like we were intruding in a family gathering.

The village and school visit was the one time we felt uncomfortable. It all seemed rather staged and unnatural. Whilst we enjoyed seeing the school and hearing the church choir sing (and see them dance), we felt rather too controlled by our guide. I don’t think this was about our safety – as we never felt anything other than completely safe.

Finally, we felt that the management’s focus on us dropped off during our last day as we were by that time, the only guests in the Camp. It felt as if we were being steered towards activities that suited the lodge rather than what we desired – and breakfast on the last day when there was only us was a shadow of what it had been on other days when the camp was full.

To reiterate, we hope our comments are seen as constructive - and that they are based upon our perceptions/feelings." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

1 sighting

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

1 sighting

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

Multiple sightings

Zebra

1 sighting

Alice
Kansas

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 30 May 2023
"Tafika was unique in that for 1.5 days we were the only visitors in camp.

It is very much a family run facility. I marked it lower on facilities because the wifi was not great, but this is understandable so far in the bush).

Makupa (Cooper) was our guide and again he did a good job, we also had Lloyd one day and he showed us some different things.

Again the staff was very friendly and helpful." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

1 sighting

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

2 sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Wild dog

3 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Harvey and Jo
Lewes

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 20 Oct 2022
"Our second visit, good feel to having a family run camp again.

Food outstanding, a step up from other camps, happy to let you look round the kitchen and laundry area. Catering staff particularly friendly and attentive.

Guiding very good indeed, with a walk across (by canoe) to one of the bush camps very informative on ecosystems. Excellent game viewing, at a pace to suit us. Village visit close by reflects the close ongoing involvement of the family with community and school, plus local football teams - we took several footballs to donate as well as school equipment.

We left by road to Mfuwe airport on what is currently a poor road, nearly two hours, but you can fly from Tafika to Mfuwe or Lusaka if you can pay....... Classic bush dining outside for dinner, elephants through the camp as well as at the waterhole and hide.

Will certainly return if possible." 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

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Roan antelope

1 sighting

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr D.
Bristol

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 17 Oct 2022
"A wonderful experience.

Stunning accommodation in an ideal position. Seemingly unlimited game viewing.

Hospitality was superb." See all these reviews: 9n 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

Roan antelope

1 sighting

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Miss P
London

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 12 Oct 2022
"I think this was my sixth visit to Tafika, and I'm sure it won't be my last. I love the camp, the people and the food. I particularly enjoy the atmosphere at the bar after the evening drive where everyone gathers to hear about the day's sightings, and the sociable lunches hosted by John and Carol.

Some further subtle improvements have been made to the rooms - especially the seating areas at the front. I think the roof has been extended forwards to provide shade, and some very comfortable built in seating provided. At the end of my stay, they very kindly offered me an air transfer down to Mfuwe (at no charge) since the pilot was picking up guests to take to North Luangwa.

Thanks to Nick for showing me the African Broadbills that frequent the back of house area! I also stupidly left my camera battery charger behind and they arranged to get it to me in Lower Zambezi in a few days, which I was very grateful for." See all these reviews: 15n 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

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

4 sightings

Lion

2 sightings

Spotted Hyena

10 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Ms S. from
Westport,

"Tafika review"

2 nights Arrived 10 Oct 2022
"Tafika is in a pretty spectacular setting and the camp itself is lovely.

We did early morning game drives and evening drives and spend the hot part of the day having lunch and relaxing in the camp. We saw lots of animals and enjoyed the fact that we spent time observing the animals rather than being rushed. Tafika has a policy of no more than 4 in a vehicle and we really appreciated this.

The guiding was great - we particularly enjoyed the night drives which enabled us to see lions & wild dogs preparing for their hunt. Pretty magical.

Staff were friendly, and super helpful - special shout out to Val and Levi." See all these reviews: 7n in Zambia
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Eland

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wild dog

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs B
Avon

"Tafika review"

1 night Arrived 9 Oct 2022
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

Showing 11-20 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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Kakuli Bushcamp

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Mfuwe Lodge

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