Tafika camp

Tafika Camp consists of six spacious chalets with en suite facilities. The chalets are built from natural materials around the trunks of stunning sausage and leadwood trees. Furnished with charming textiles and decor that compliment the natural wonder of the environment just outside the door, the rustic charm of these ‘tree house’ rooms will win you over as soon as you arrive.

Four of the chalets have twin double beds in each room; the honeymoon suite has an enormous king size bed; and a final chalet with two rooms boasts a king size bed and two doubles – serving as the family suite. The family chalet features an add-on hide which overlooks the camp’s waterhole. Altogether, the six chalets can accommodate up to fourteen guests. These unpretentious chalets offer private outdoor sinks and showers for an incredibly memorable and uniquely romantic bathing experience.

At Tafika Camp mealtimes are a communal affair; however, guests can privately dine on request. Enjoy relaxed breakfasts on the banks of the Luangwa River around the campfire and delicious buffet lunches with freshly grown greens from the Tafika garden. As the afternoon draws in guests can indulge in tea and coffee accompanied by tasty freshly baked cakes and treats. Sundowners are always popular with guests; the tradition means to partake in drinks and delicious snacks during your evening activity out in the bush, basked in the golden tones of the sun setting. Later, dinner will involve an exquisite three course meal, candlelit and beneath the stars.

Stretch your legs and enjoy getting active with an afternoon cycling safari. The cycling safaris are approximately an hour and a half in duration, taken at a leisurely pace. The route takes the safari cyclists along natural wildlife tracks in the Game Management Area and into the park along the main roads – accompanied by a guide. Cyclists then meet up with the night drive activity to continue their safari by vehicle. Shorter rides can be combined with a cultural visit to the local Mkasanga Village. The cycling safari is a unique activity to Remote Africa Safaris in the Luangwa Valley.

All Remote Africa Safaris guides are excellent and enthusiastic birders. The South Luangwa showcases a magnificent 469 recorded bird species. Remote Africa Safaris is a bird-lover’s paradise with sightings of Bat Hawks and Pel’s Fishing Owls; great flocks of Crowned Cranes; a breeding colony of Yellow Billed Storks and Carmine bee-eaters; and visits from the White Winged Babbling Starling and Yellow-Throated Long Claw. Boasting everything from the plain Little Brown Jobs to the spectacular Lilac Breasted Rollers, the Luangwa Valley has converted many a non-birder to the delights of birding.

Catch a bird’s eye view of the Luangwa from the microlight and wind your way up the Luangwa River on a light early morning breeze. Fly over huge pods of hippo wallowing in the water, elephants crossing, and massive herds of buffalo coming to drink or catch a leopard sunning itself in the early morning rays. It’s an exhilarating and exclusive way to encounter the Luangwa and its wild inhabitants. Microlight experiences are only offered in May and are piloted by Remote Africa Safaris director, John Coppinger. Microlight flights are distinctive to Remote Africa Safaris in the Luangwa Valley.

Remote Africa Safaris is actively involved through their own initiative, The Tafika Fund, in sustainably uplifting the surrounding community and Mwanya area. Through donations from generous guests and tour operators (as well as substantial financial support from Remote Africa), The Tafika Fund has managed to successfully implement and maintain several long-term initiatives over the years.

Mkasanga School – From ongoing building renovation to the purchase and supply of stationery, textbooks and over 2500 library books, desks, school supplies, additional educational material and the payment of teachers’ salaries, the Tafika Fund makes a significant difference to present lives and future aspirations of Mkasanga scholars.

Mkasanga Clinic – The Tafika Fund built an outpatient clinic in Mkasanga, which acts as a first aid centre for the 2036 residents of Mkasanga. The clinic officially opened its doors in March 2006 and now includes an inpatient and maternity wing. A government medical officer oversees the clinic and tends to patients while the fund pays a monthly wage for an assistant to the officer. Periodically, medical supplies may be donated to supplement the clinic provisions.

The Tafika Fund additionally offers Scholarship Programmes and University Scholarships and Skills Training. A football league was also set up, Football For Wildlife, the objective of the League is to build awareness and enthusiasm for wildlife conservation over a wide reach of the Luangwa valley residents through their abiding love of soccer.

Natural materials & Solar Power – Tafika’s ethos is to use natural materials as much as possible. This means the camps are rebuilt every year, which contributes to creating employment opportunities for the local village. Using natural materials ensures a low impact footprint and ensures that they preserve the natural eco system. As far as possible, Tafika use solar and gas for their source of power.

Local skills & Produce – Tafika strive to employ local Zambians to build the camps and work in them. From thatching the chalets to cooking delicious three course meals for a candlelit dinner. Remote Africa is currently employing 87 people from the local community which helps to support the local economy. The camp garden also supplements the cuisine with fresh and healthy vegetables.

Tafika’s buzzing friends, the bees – The number of home-made beehives started by Christine Coppinger around Tafika Camp, help to boost the bee population, and ensures successful pollination in the camp garden. Tafika hope this becomes a long-term project which encourages the Mkasanga village to start their own hives. Pollination is important because it leads to the production of fruits that can be eaten.