Scrub Hare Safari: Day-by-day

A unique, owner-run camp with genuinely warm hospitality, great food, community connection and some of the best guiding in Zambia Tafika is rustic luxury at its best: think reed rooms, a gorgeous riverside setting, excellent cuisine and top-notch guiding.

Tafika is an unforgettable camp on the banks of the Luangwa. Most clients are return guests and it’s easy to see why they come back time and time again. The relaxed, homely feel is hardly an accident – owners John and Carol Coppinger have lived here for over 20 years, even bringing up their daughters in the bush (they now work here too).

The rooms are fabulous: made of reeds and thatch, they’re rebuilt every year, with plenty of home comforts accompanying the rustic ambience – huge beds with colourful linen from local business Tribal Textiles, flushing loos and hot showers, fans for hotter evenings and solar lighting.

Meals are imaginative, varied and fresh with produce grown in their own veg garden, the pride and joy of guide Isaac Zulu.

"Excellent location, excellent guiding."

Mr & Mrs B & AfromUK

Arrived 1 Oct 2019, 3 nights

Guiding by John, Isaac, Alex Phiri and Bryan Jackson is second-to-none – walk to their sister camp Chikoko Trails to get a real sense of the bush. And make time to visit Mkasanga Village, home to most of the staff, where Tafika has helped support education and healthcare. You’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome. See our full report on Tafika

On a remote, wildlife-rich walking trail, Chikoko is a brilliant little bush camp, simply but beautifully designed with great staff. Chikoko is just about as rustic as a bush camp could be with an imaginative, design and bags of character.

"The walks were both exciting and very interesting."

Mr R.fromCowbridge

Arrived 5 Oct 2019, 2 nights

Most guests come here as part of a walking trail from sister camp Tafika, about a four hour walk away. On the banks of the Chikoko River (which is usually dry through the walking season) it’s far smaller and simpler than Tafika but still has the same relaxed atmosphere. Like its big sister, the rooms are made of reeds but are on two floors, with the bed upstairs and the shower, sink and toilet below. The main ‘building’ is simply a thatch shelter spread among the branches of a huge tree, with the ‘lounge’ a small sofa, chairs and brightly coloured cushions scattered around its roots. It has a fabulous ‘back-to-nature’ vibe, totally unspoilt and incredibly relaxing. But the best thing about this camp is chef Patson and the food he creates. He’s been here for some 20 years and he’ll shine with pride if you visit his kitchen – just an earth oven and an open fire, yet meals here are wholesome and delicious. The guiding and local knowledge is exceptional too, all contributing to one very cool safari experience. See our full report on Chikoko Tree Camp

The tiny and stylishly rustic Crocodile Bushcamp – also known as Crocodile River Camp – is one half of a pair of bushcamps, known as Chikoko Trails Camps, that occupy a remote walking-only section of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Made of reed and thatch, and rebuilt every year after the rains, it's one of the simpler camps that we feature.

"The walks were both varied and very informative as well as being exciting."

Mr R.fromCowbridge

Arrived 7 Oct 2019, 2 nights

Though the structures of Crocodile are deliberately rustic, the standards of guiding here are exceedingly high – and even the food is top-notch (which is quite remarkable when you see the kitchen facilities). The bushcamp's emphasis is firmly on enjoying the wilderness, the environment and the game. For those of us who love walking safaris and remote areas, it is one of the best places in Africa. See our full report on Crocodile Bushcamp