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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 31-40 of 318
Duration
Arrival date
Mr and Mrs C
Kent

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 4 Aug 2022
"This was an incredible place to stay.

The views of the river from camp are wonderful. As this was our first safari, it took us a while to get used to the communal dining and interaction with other guests and owners/staff, we ended up loving it.

Loyd was a great guide. We very rarely saw another vehicle when we were out on a game drive and had some very memorable sightings, although no leopards.

We thoroughly enjoyed the walk that we did and the banana boat added to the sense of adventure." 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

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs F
Maidstone

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 18 Jul 2022
"The best of the best. From guiding, hosting, views, accommodation ... couldn't be improved.

Breakfasts and lunches were amazing!

The hide provided an unexpected highlight of our stay, but from the strong family feel of the camp, the really experienced and knowledgable guiding of Bryan whose company we thoroughly enjoyed, the wildlife moving into and around the camp, spectacular sightings of leopard and lion, the video of the fighting hippos in camp which we happily missed by minutes and even the remarkable veg garden gave us many great memories." 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

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Wildebeest

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Mr & Mrs M
Vermont

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 16 Jul 2022
"This was our first bush camp experience, and during the initial drive from the airport to the camp, which was at night due to a flight delay, Lloyd spotted a leopard, 2 male lions, and a group of zebra. It felt like we’re were in a Jumanji game! It only got better after that under the tutelage of our guide Moffit (sorry for the spelling) who was with us for 4 days and helped us to understand so many aspects of this part of Africa - the ecosystems, the animals, the extraordinary variety of birds, and a bit about history and culture of the people who live in this region. He was a repository of information and enthusiastically shared what he knew and tolerated all our questions and requests. The support staff were gracious and always ready to be helpful. It was a treat to share meals with the family members who run Tafika and to hear their stories about what it was like when they built it, and how it has changed over time. We loved our little grass hut and how it connected with the land and the river right outside our door.
The visit to the village which Tafika supports is not to be missed! Several of the staff here are from that village." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n 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

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Cristin
Oregon

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 16 Jul 2022
"This was our second trip to the African continent and Tafika is now our favorite camp. This is a family run camp and the owners try to share their love of the country, its people and animals. The rooms are open air with reed walls, meticulously maintained, with hot and cold running water, very spacious. The owners have set up reed fences in camp to encourage the wildlife along appropriate paths. The camp is regularly visited by elephants and hippos. There is a 'blind' to watch elephants and other wildlife at a small watering hole just on the other side of the camp fence. Breakfast is taken by the campfire set up on the river's edge. The food was wonderful. There were plenty of choices at every meal and the staff were eager to make sure the meat lovers and vegetarians were satisfied. The birdlife is amazing.
The schedule is full- no wasted opportunities to see wildlife. We were awakened early every day to take advantage of the morning animal activities with a comfortable "siesta time" midday. We did a 1/2 day walking safari from the Tafika camp. This included a short canoe trip across the Luanga river. We hope to be able to return to Zambia and do more walking from camps run by Remote Africa. Our guides were all very knowledgeable. The camp staff knew some of us were interested in birds and made sure to stop and point out the birds as well as the megafauna.
Tafika camp sponsors the school in the local village with salaries for 4 teachers and supplies. I admire their commitment to their community. The camp owners Carol and John, along with their daughter Jenny and her husband Nick, make sure to have meals with the guests and share their 30+ years experience living in Zambia.
When you travel to remote areas-, you have to stay flexible. The Tafika camp was very accommodating when members of our group were delayed due to illness. At the end of our stay, the Bush plane that was to ferry us to our next stay had fuel line issues. Tafika then offered to fly 4 of our party (the most that would fit) in their own small Bush plane." See all these reviews: 8n in Zambia; 4n in Zimbabwe; 1n in South Africa
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

3 sightings

Lion

3 sightings

Spotted Hyena

4 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Mr & Mrs K.
Westbury

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 14 Jul 2022
"Superb camp, hosts, staff and guides. Lots of wildlife including an elephant in camp, hippo very close by (actually 2 in camp tussling a few days after we left!). The work the owners do for the local community and the history of the camp is very interesting. Food and drink excellent. Front-of-house Vel very welcoming and friendly, Rory the pilot great to be with, John, Carol and Bryan very sociable and friendly. Bryan was our guide and has immense knowledge and is a lovely host. Location is breath-taking. Excellent well-equipped chalets with proper anytime showers! Enquire about flying on their Cessna rather than the 2 hour road trip from Mfuwe." 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

5 sightings

Elephant

10 sightings

Giraffe

10 sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

3 sightings

Lion

3 sightings

Spotted Hyena

5 sightings

Zebra

5 sightings

Mr P & Ms C
USA

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 4 Jul 2022
"This was our first time back to Tafika in 7 years and it was as wonderful as our previous visits. Many of the staff and the guides were the same and it was like catching up with old friends for our entire stay. The accommodations, food (especially the lunch buffet with many of vegetable dishes provided by their own garden) and service were all terrific and the guiding was top notch. We had great sightings every day even though the bush was greener than usual due to the late rains this year. This is our 6th safari and we plan on returning to Tafika as often as possible!" 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

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

Multiple sightings

Leopard

Multiple sightings

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

Multiple sightings

Zebra

Multiple sightings

N & J Lancs
UK

"Tafika review"

2 nights Arrived 18 Jun 2022
"Beautiful location overlooking the river.

Guiding on game drives with Lloyd, finding a pride of lions on our first outing. Lloyd is a considerate and conscientious guide and has considerable experience of the area.

The meals - probably the best of over 30 different lodges we have visited in Africa over the years. Lots of fresh, homegrown produce.

Good to stay with someone like the Coppingers whose heart is in Africa and the help they give to the local area." See all these reviews: 12n in Zambia; 1n in South Africa
Experience Report
Overall Rating:
Excellent

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

Buffalo

Multiple sightings

Elephant

Multiple sightings

Giraffe

Multiple sightings

Hippo

10 sightings

Leopard

1 sighting

Lion

6 sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Wildebeest

3 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Ms AA
NZ

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 15 Jun 2022
"Tafika has to be one of the loveliest camps I have stayed at. It is owner run and I believe that may be the secret. The guiding was also superb with guides really tuned into the bush language which gave them clues as to where the game was. With hardly another vehicle in sight, the viewing was unhurried and very rich and varied.

The chalets with their delightful open roofed bathrooms are a creation in local materials built by local craftsmen. They are very spacious and located in a parklike area on the banks of the beautiful Luangwa River among large shade trees. The hippo keep the grass short. The food is especially planned by a nutritionist in camp, cooked by trained chefs and benefits from fresh produce grown in the extensive camp gardens. The end result cannot be faulted.

The days are long (from 5.15am to 8pm with a siesta after lunch) but so interesting that they fly by. There are game highlights such as the stork colony and a hippo and crocodile invested river. There is also the local village to visit and I can heartily recommend this experience as great fun.

My first introduction to Tafika was the river crossing to the camp in a mokoro (canoe) past hippo and crocs. A very African experience and from there it only got better. One of the best safari experiences I have had and I have travelled around quite a bit of Southern Africa staying at lodges and camps. I would definitely go back to Tafika again and I understand many guests do just that." 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

1 sighting

Elephant

3 sightings

Giraffe

2 sightings

Hippo

4 sightings

Leopard

5 sightings

Lion

2 sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Zebra

2 sightings

Mrs M & Mr D
Germany

"Tafika review"

4 nights Arrived 21 May 2022
"This was our second stay at Tafika and we enjoyed it as much as during our first stay. Tafika is a beautiful little camp of just 6 reed and thatch chalets. It is one of the last remaining owner-run camps in the South Luangwa valley which in fact makes a huge difference. The owner family makes you feel at home from the moment you arrive and undertakes any effort to make your stay as memorable as possible.

The camp itself is managed at a very high standard, but kept deliberately simple to allow an authentic bush experience. The camp still offers all amenities needed (at least for those that get along without air-conditioning or a pool). The camp is entirely unfenced. During our stay elephants stopped by for a visit, and we heard lions roaring at night. The cuisine is top-notch both in respect of food quality and diversity paying great attention to dietary requests.

Despite slightly fewer sightings this time in June (compared to our last stay in October), we still had excellent game drives with our guide Bryan during our 4 nights stay. A great plus of the camp is its remote location in the northern sector of the park that guarantees an exclusive and far more rewarding safari experience than the typical walkie talkie style safari in the busy central sector of the park.

We also strongly recommend the village visit that is offered by the camp. The nearby airstrip and the camps own airplane is a further advantage making logistics easy." 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

1 sighting

Lion

Multiple sightings

Spotted Hyena

1 sighting

Zebra

Multiple sightings

Thor & Deb
BC Canada

"Tafika review"

3 nights Arrived 1 Nov 2021
"Same applies to our second stint at Tafika. Please see my previous entry. [Ed: See below]" See all these reviews: 10n in Zambia; 10n in Zimbabwe
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

5 sightings

Lion

3 sightings

Spotted Hyena

5 sightings

Wild dog

6 sightings

Wildebeest

4 sightings

Zebra

10 sightings

Showing 31-40 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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