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
87% success
92% success
45% success
100% success
99% success
99% success
97% success
92% success
91% success
49% success
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0% success
"Great time"
"Great stay"
We enjoyed speaking to John, Carol, Jenny and to all the guides who shared meals with us. Alex was great on the walking trails!
The food was great and the fresh salads and vegetables appreciated. I ate a bit too much cake and dessert during the meals and tea breaks.
We all did the microlight, some bicycling and visited the village. So many smiling children.
Tough leaving..." See all these reviews: 17n in Zambia
"Tafika review"
"Lovely camp and great guides"
Owners, John and Carol Coppinger, are clearly pros who know how to run a camp. They have high standards, and this is reflected in the quality of their staff and guides. We had good game drives with Makubu and Amon, and especially enjoyed our time with Bryan, whose amazing leopard sighting and pursuit was the wildlife highlight of our trip.
Vegetarians will delight in this camp. Because Carol is a vegetarian, most dishes served were without meat. The food was perfectly adequate--not often delicious but good enough and always nutritious.
The camp was very congenial, with good opportunities to meet and chat with others around the campfire, the bar, and the dining table." See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia
"Such a great start to our Honeymoon in Zambia"
Tafika is in such beautiful and romantic setting. Having breakfast around a wood fire on a fresh morning, overlooking the river at sunrise, was divine.
Wonderful hospitality and lovely meals, we certainly did not feel second best being veggies. The enormous bed (with equally enormous mosquito net) and 'twin showers' were a treat.
Excellent game drives. Never more than four to a vehicle, everyone had uninterrupted views Fantastic wildlife experiences, with our guides sharing their vast knowledge." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Great hospitality"
The huts are very spacious and clean. The atmosphere is very friendly and you soon start feeling at home. The game drives and walking safaris are great and so is wildlife in and around the camp. The visit to the nearby village Mkasanga is a great experiece.
Definitely a place to go back to!" See all these reviews: 13n in Zambia
"Couldn't be better!"
The microlight flight at sunrise, the staff, the setting on the riverbank, the gorgeous chalets, the beautiful food, the game drives, the walking safari with Bryan......just could not have been better! The visit to the local school was a very emotional event for us. And we even had one of the camp's cats share our bed, which we loved!
We only wish we could've stayed longer." See all these reviews: 11n in Zambia
"Tafika review"
I can only echo the superlatives already penned about this camp by previous reviewers. From the word go Tafika provided a seamless experience. We were won over by the warmth and friendliness of the whole team. In all respects quality and professionalism shone through in a happy, relaxed way.
All of our guides impressed us with their enthusiasm, knowledge and communication. Nothing was too much trouble. The meals were delicious and wholesome (the kitchen garden is well worth a visit), and the chalets large and comfortable. We took the opportunity to visit the village of Mkasanga which really enhanced our understanding of the area and how the camp fits into local life.
We would wholeheartedly recommend Tafika. The trouble is whether we will ever match the experience again." See all these reviews: 9n in Zambia
"One of a kind experience"
"One of a kind experience"
Running a safari camp sounds very romantic but once you meet the people who are living that "romantic" life, it becomes an eye-opening event where the reality takes away some of the charm but you come to respect the amount of dedication, courage and love required to do what Carol and John are doing. I understand that Tafika is much more than a safari operation in the eyes of the local community. We only had two drives with Tafika (given that we spent two other nights at Chikoko). The drives were good (excellent lion sightings one night - we were able to see the pride starting their hunt) but again, what I remember most is how we could talk to the guides who knew not only the animals & birds but also the realities of daily life of a very deprived and poor area of Zambia.
I wish we'd spent more time at Tafika with John & Carol's family and their team. I made it sound all too serious but it was great fun all along & we felt easy and relaxed during our stay. Alexei particularly liked the micro light flight with John (just mentioning it because he's not too fond of heights). I did fly too & it felt unexpectedly natural. I think that staying at Tafika would be an invaluable experience for those guests who are looking not just to find a "happy place" to unwind and spend their holidays but for those who are willing to see a more down to earth authentic side of living in a challenging country such as Zambia while running a safari operation.
Every guide and every team member we met at Tafika impressed us." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Botswana
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