Tafika Camp in the South Luangwa National Park is our base camp

SOUTHERN LUANGWA - TAFIKA

Tafika Camp in the South Luangwa National Park is our base camp, nestled in the shade of giant leadwood trees. We accommodate 10 guests in 5 spacious chalets. This is the home of John and Carol Coppinger, giving the camp a relaxed family atmosphere. Situated just outside the Nsefu Sector of the South Park, Tafika is able to offer microlighting as an optional extra to the excellent drives and walks of the routine day. Our staff is mostly from Mkasanga Village nearby and welcome visits from guests fascinated by their unmaterialistic way of life in this warm heart of Africa.

The Green Season at Tafika affords guests the opportunity of river safaris with boating, canoeing, exceptional bird watching and breath taking scenes of the Luangwa in full flood - an awesome blend of rich greens, lagoons filled with hippo and flooded channels overhung with groves of ebony trees.

Recommended length of stay:

Minimum 3 nights. Seasonally operated (15 May - 30 Nov & 10 Feb - 10 April.)

Accommodation:

5 Chalets constructed with local materials each with 2 double beds, en suite toilet and power shower. (Includes 1 family chalet)

Facilities:

24 hours inverted power (220V), solar borehole, bar, laundry, satellite telephone available.

Staff:

Owner run with reputable guides of long standing Luangwa experience, armed escort, cordon bleu chef and trained camp staff.

Chikoko Trails operates slightly upstream of Tafika on the opposite bank of the Luangwa in a wilderness area of great natural beauty teeming with big game. It was here that David Livingstone made his famous statement and little has changed since then. All luggage and supplies are portaged into the camps, as there are no roads.
The walking trails are between Chikoko and Crocodile Camps, both simple camps constructed of thatch overlooking plains of game and all the action of a day in the wild. Chikoko rooms are 3m above the ground to perfect the view during your afternoon siesta.

Recommended length of stay:

2 - 4 nights. Seasonally operated (1 June - 31 Oct)

Accommodation:

Two bush camps each with 3
double chalets: maximum 6 guests. Each chalet with en suite facilities.

Facilities:

Solar lighting and refrigeration.

Staff:

Experienced walking guide, armed escort scout, bush chef and trained camp staff.

Mwaleshi Camp situated in the North Luangwa National Park, blends into a scenic bend of the Mwaleshi River, a clear perennial tributary of the Luangwa River. The remoteness of the North Park, an area legendary for its large population of lion, huge herds of buffalo and endemic Cookson's Wildebeest, is enhanced by the lack of roads. Game viewing is on foot, led by Ed Sayer..

A day trip to the Mwaleshi Falls has been rated by one traveler as a top highlight in Zambia.

Recommended length of stay
4 - 5 nights. Seasonally operated (15 June - 31 Oct)

Accommodation:

Grass pole bush camp with 4 double chalets. En suite facilities.

Facilities:

Solar lighting and refrigeration.

Staff:

Manager/Guide, bush chef, armed escort scout and trained camp staff.

WALKING SAFARI SPECIAL

8 Night Remote Walking North & South Special – Please contact us at info@africa2000tours.co.za for further information.

LUANGWA SOURCE SAFARI

SOURCE OF THE LUANGWA SAFARI

John Coppinger of Tafika Camp has for many years been obsessed with reaching the source of the Luangwa River - a river he has worked alongside for twenty years. This river (that many know as a shallow, meandering, wildlife paradise) rises in the Mafinga Mountains on the border of Zambia and Malawi. In November 2002 John finally made it to the source (a tiny clear water pool high in the Mafingas) and, in conjunction with David Foot of the Nyika Safari Company, would now like to offer the opportunity to others to reach the source of this famous river on a "SOURCE OF THE LUANGWA SAFARI".

John and David are offering a departure from Lilongwe ending back there two weeks later . (normaly in October) The safari will take in the Vwaza Marsh Game Reserve and the Nyika National Park in northern Malawi before a two night hike to the source of the Luangwa. David will lead this section of the safari before the safari continues into the Luangwa Valley first stopping at Mwaleshi Camp in the North Luangwa National Park and ending at Tafika in the South Luangwa National Park.

The Luangwa Valley is a beautiful, untouched wildlife sanctuary of Africa. It is an extension to the Great East African rift valley, the main arm of which runs to the east of Zambia, containing Lake Malawi. The Luangwa River rises from the dramatic Mafinga Mountains in the northeastern corner of Zambia, which reach up to 7,500 ft above sea level. The flat-bottomed valley runs from northeast to southwest and is clearly defined to the west by the beautiful Muchinga escarpment.

All in all, the ecology of the Luangwa Valley is extraordinary.

Dramatic seasonal variations, a dynamic river system, fertile soils, lush vegetation, prolific wildlife, a perpetual contest between the elements, hunter and prey. These are the inter-related ingredients that comprise the Luangwa Valley and engender its unique atmosphere. This is classic Africa.

The valley experiences two distinct seasons, the Dry Season from May to November, and the Green Season from December to April. The coldest time of year is June and July, although the daytime temperatures are most pleasant, the early morning and night excursions can be cold in the open vehicles.

By October temperatures reach 37 degrees centigrade but the game viewing "hots" up too as the outlying water dries up forcing the game to the riverine area.

The Luangwa is home to most of the big game - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and hippo are abundant. It is notable for two endemic species: Thornicroft's Giraffe and Cookson's Wildebeest. Cheetahs have been recorded but are rare. Black rhino, although once common, are sadly no longer seen. There are few, if any, rivers in Africa that contain such a high concentration of hippos and crocodiles. Night drives reveal many fascinating mammals including civet, genet, mongooses, bushbaby, serval, porcupine and aardvark.

Over 400 hundred species of birds have been recorded in the Luangwa. Close to Tafika the large flocks of Crowned Cranes and the Yellow billed stork breeding colony are incredible sights. Pel's fishing owls and Bat hawks are regularly seen. At Mwaleshi specials include White winged babbling starlings and Fulleborn's Longclaw.

Luangwa Valley

By May the last rains have fallen and the blue sky is clear but for a smattering of puffy white clouds. Ground water is still plentiful and the vegetation is thick, but areas that have been unreachable throughout the rains now start to become accessible. During June and July temperatures fall to their lowest, although they would rarely go below 10/11 degrees Centigrade. The days are glorious - warm and sunny. Thereafter the thermometer rises until the heat is alleviated by the onset of the next rains, which usually arrive in November.
October is normally the hottest month with maximum temperatures of about 37 degrees Centigrade. There is virtually no precipitation during this season and by October virtually all outlying water has dried up. The valley's herbivores are irresistibly attracted to the riverine belt and endure great hardship during their agonizing wait for the fresh rains. It is a time of plenty for the carnivores and the concentration of game around the river makes for particularly good game viewing.

Luangwa Valley

The build up of huge banks of cumulus clouds brings an atmosphere of excitement and promise to the valley. When these life-giving clouds break the tension by spilling their bounty over the parched landscape the relief is vibrantly tangible. Almost overnight the valley is transformed into fresh green parkland and there is an overwhelming sense of regeneration. Temperatures fall away from their October peaks.

By March, the entire valley has been completely transformed. The meagre stream has become a brown, surging torrent 200 metres wide, the deciduous woodland is luxuriantly green, the grassland is almost impenetrably dense and the impressive concentrations of elephant, buffalo and hippo disperse over a large area. Most of the valley becomes waterlogged and inaccessible. The spectrum of bird life has also changed. In October and November a number of migrants arrive, contributing new colour and sound to their summer haven. Heronries abound and the yellow billed storks form a spectacular breeding colony containing several hundred nests.