On your arrival at Mfuwe Airport you are fetched by your guide and transferred to Tafika Lodge. During this 90-minute drive you are likely to encounter enough wildlife to make your visit worthwhile before you have even set foot into the camp.
Nestled on the banks of the Luangwa River, Tafika Camp’s thatched chalets sit under the shade of giant sausage trees. Built from locally sourced reed and thatch, these elegant suites are equipped with en suite bathrooms and outdoor showers. From the comfort of the camp, watch as elephants and hippos come for a drink and bath in the river while kingfishers perched in tree branches above keep their keen eyes fixed below the surface in search of unsuspecting prey.The meandering Luangwa River runs through the national park and features ox-bow lagoons, tributaries and riverine woodlands home to large concentrations of animals, including Zambia’s highest leopard concentration and over 450 bird species.
Expertly guided 4x4 game drives are combined with exciting activities such as micro lighting, mountain biking, a visit to the nearby Mkasanga Village and, of course, walking safaris.
From the moment you arrive at Tafika – one of the longest-standing owner-run camps in Zambia, you are welcomed as a member of the family rather than a guest. Split your safari time between lengthy morning walks and evening game drives on the reserve; and with each exploration of Luangwa’s eco-habitats more of its ecological wealth is revealed. Walk under the professional leadership of your guide, an armed parks reservist and caterer, who supplies a warm beverage and snack during your mid-morning tea break, and is an extra pair of eyes to spot animals.The team of guides has remained the same for many years and has outstanding reputations in the fields of game ranging and nature conservation. The indigenous ecological knowledge imparted on you during walks is the kind of information which is gathered through decades of interaction with the wilderness and being tuned into the rhythm of life in the Luangwa valley.
With a massive traversable area accessible within this undeveloped reserve, during activities you are unlikely to see any other people at all. A unique feature of 4x4 game drives in Tafika’s open-sided, open-topped vehicles are their limitation to no more than four guests per car, with just two rows of comfortable bench seats. Hop on a mountain bike and set out on an animal-filled excursion along the dirt paths to viewpoints around the camp, arriving back in time to join the evening game drive. Excursions to the nearby Mkasanga Village are a humbling experience and provide the opportunity to visit the school and listen to a performance by the local church choir. Exhilarating microlight flights over the national park take off in the soft light of dawn. These magical trips provide a privileged perspective of the game-rich landscape and often allow the identification of animals for later investigation on your morning walk.
The massive vegetable garden supplies the kitchen with fresh organic produce and ensures tasty and wholesome cuisine is the forte of Tafika’s restaurant.