Scrub Hare Safari: Day-by-day

Unique, owner-run and with genuinely warm hospitality, Tafika combines some of Zambia's best guiding with great food and strong community connections. Tafika is rustic luxury at its best: rooms constructed with golden reeds, an elevated riverside setting, excellent cuisine and top-notch guiding.

Spread out on the banks of the Luangwa River, it's a captivating camp. Most guests are return visitors and it's easy to see why they come back time and time again. Owners John and Carol Coppinger have lived here for over 20 years, bringing up their children here, and welcoming guests to their corner of the Luangwa. Their daughter Jennifer, herself a qualified guide, and her husband Nick now skillfully manage the lodge alongside them, bringing new ideas to this experienced team, yet retaining same calm efficiency and authenticity that have long given Tafika its down-to-earth, family feel.

The camp itself is lovely. Only 6 chalets, spread across lush lawns, are ingenious. Crafted from reeds and thatch, they're rebuilt every year after the rains, and filled with home comforts amid the rustic ambience – huge beds with colourful linen from local business Tribal Textiles, USB charging ports, flushing toilets and hot showers under the stars.

From delicious meals, shared with the super team, to a productive wildlife hide at the centre of camp; fresh coffee round the campfire at dawn to the excellent safari activities – it’s a treat to stay here.

"a fabulous location... the game viewing is superb"

Mrs WfromUK

Arrived 14 Oct 2023, 3 nights

Guiding is second to none: by bicycle, 4x4 or on foot. And consider walking to Tafika’s sister camps along the Chikoko Trails to get a real sense of Luangwa’s wilderness, with people who know the wildlife and landscape here like the back of their hands. 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.

"Nice location"

A&SfromNorthampton

Arrived 11 Sep 2023, 1 night

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

Sitting on the edge of permanent water, Big Lagoon is a rustic bushcamp, accessed by foot in a remote area of Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Part of Remote Africa Safaris’ superb ‘Chikoko Trails’ walking safari circuit, the tiny bushcamp of Big Lagoon opened in 2022. On a idyllic, historic site, overlooking the water, this was once the favoured campsite of intrepid safari explorers in the 1950s and 60s. An crumbling ruin beside the open-air camp kitchen is all that remains of their adventures here now, and instead three large, expertly-constructed, reed and thatch chalets have been installed for the safari season (they are rebuilt each year after the rains).

The small open-fronted rondaval is the hub of the camp life. Here you’ll gather for communal meals and drinks, discuss the days adventures and marvel at the tasty meals produced in the ground oven of the bush kitchen (do ask the chef for a tour). Historic photographs and a detailed map on the walls give a sense of your location and its history, and a couple of sofas make super siesta spots.

"it is difficult to explain the visceral pleasure of the camp"

Tom & Lise fromNC USA

Arrived 20 Jul 2023, 2 nights

The mostly dry course of the Crocodile River, in which the lagoon is situated, is a scenic corridor to explore on walking forays led by an enthusiastic and fascinating guide and accompanied by a game scout. From herds of buffalo and towering giraffe to barking baboons and stealthy leopards, there's much to see here. And the camp's wooden deck, cantilevered over the lagoon, is an especially tranquil spot from which to listen to birdsong and watch wildlife drink and graze. It’s an idyllic hideaway! See our full report on Big Lagoon Camp