Remote Africa Safaris

Tafika Camp in the South Luangwa National Park is the home to John and Carol Coppinger since 1995. The wonderful vista of the Luangwa River sets Tafika apart. A maximum of twelve guests enjoy the comfort and beauty of six spacious chalets nestled in the shade of giant lead wood trees. Facilities are en-suit with sparkling rainbows in the delightful outdoor showers! Situated immediately outside the Nsefu Sector of the South Park, this camp is opened from the 15^th May to the 15^th November every year.

Tafika offers micro flights as an optional extra – a wonderful way to start the day. Flights of 15 minutes provide a breathtaking bird’s eye game viewing experience, offering an exciting new perspective of the Luangwa. The flights may not be pre booked but will be arranged during the stay and paid for on-site, only John Coppinger is the pilot.  

Slightly up stream of Tafika on the west bank of the Luangwa, Chikoko Walking Trails operates two bush camps. Chikoko Tree Camp is situated 8km upstream of Tafika. As the name suggests the 3 twin chalets are raised above the ground, within the tree canopy. This enhances the view of the acacia grove in front of the camp where a constant array of wildlife activity unfolds throughout the day. Crocodile River Camp has 3 chalets imaginatively constructed of thatch and natural materials all delightfully simple, perfectly comfortable. They rest beneath a grove of magnificent ebony trees, overlooking a dambo and the action of a day in the wild. These camps are opens only between June and October; these camps are only for those interested in walking as there are no vehicles available for safaris.

The remote tract of land in the north of the game rich Luangwa Valley offers one of the finest wilderness experiences in Zambia, if not the whole of Africa. It is not opened to the public and access is with only the few safari operators granted permission to conduct walking safaris.

Mwaleshi Camp, an enigmatic walking camp, is situated in the North Luangwa National Park; it can accommodate 6 to 8 guests. Positioned on a scenic bend of the Mwaleshi River about 10 km from the Luangwa confluence, this is a place of peace and simplicity, contrasted with stunning wildlife action. The excitement of watching hyenas hunting puku in front of the camp, or observing huge herds of buffalo and the endemic Cookson’s wildebeest on foot, is some of the experiences that might draw you to Mwaleshi Camp, but the comfort of the en-suit rooms crafted around trees and the excellent cuisine are equally important factors to consider. The camp manager will be your guide and host, assisted on walking safaris by an armed national park scout; limited access roads facilitate exploring further a field by vehicle. Seasonally operated between the 15^th June and the 31^st October. Due to the remoteness of the North Luangwa all guest fly to Mwaleshi airstrip, a 15 minute drive from the camp, it takes 45 minutes in a Cessna 206 from Mfuwe to Mwaleshi.