When to Travel:
| January |
The Wet Season with thunderstorms and heavy showers. The Luangwa River is too low to navigate and the roads into Tafika inaccessible. All of the Remote Africa Safaris camps are closed.
Average Temperature: 28°C | 82.4F
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| February |
Bird watching is excellent, but mammals may be harder to see as they disperse over greater areas during this time. The yellow billed storks commence nest building in the first week of February, flying overhead with their cargo of sticks and grass they provide a fascinating scene of organized pandemonium.
Average Temperature: 28°C | 82.4F
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| March |
One would expect fewer showers than during February. The temperature is pleasant.
Average Temperature: 28°C | 82.4F
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| April |
The rains are over and camp refurbishments begin in earnest for the dry season ahead.
Average Temperature: 27°C | 80.6F
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| May |
Tafika reopens on the 1st May. (Low Season rates apply). The vegetation is lush and green. Both driving and walking are possible. The game is in excellent condition but a little shy after 5 months of no visitors. Crocodile River Camp can be opened early for walking on special request.
Average Temperature: 25°C | 77F
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| June |
Chikoko Walking Trail camps open on the 1st June, Mwaleshi Camp on 15th of June. Low season rates apply at Tafika. Mwanya (New Lukuzi) airstrip, 10 minutes drive from Tafika, re-opens and a Cessna 206 is based there until the end of October. The vegetation is beautifully green, game viewing is good, though not in the concentrations seen later in the season. Leopards and lion start to be seen again. By early June the temperature starts to drop, early mornings and after sunset it is crisp. The days are glorious. Bring something warm for the evenings.
Average Temperature: 22°C | 71.6F
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| July |
Mornings and Evenings are cold reaching lows of 10°C. Peak season commences at Tafika. Average Temperature: 22°C | 71.6F
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| August |
By Mid August our winter is over and the temperatures are very comfortable. This is a very popular time to visit. It is peak season at Tafika.
Average Temperature: 26°C | 78.8F
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| September |
The peak month in the valley as the game begins to congregate along the riverine area. Large herds of buffalo are building, with lions in pursuit. The land is dry.
Average Temperature: 30°C | 86F
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| October |
The build up of clouds and the drama of the first thunderstorms are very exciting. After the first rains, a green hue bursts from the ground pronouncing that the earth lives!
This is the hottest month in the valley with temperatures of up to 38°C in the shade, game viewing outings depart earlier to capture the cooler hours of the morning, mid day snoozes are a necessity! Chikoko Walking Trails and Mwaleshi Camp close 31st October.
Average Temperature: 33°C | 91.4F
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| November |
Tafika is the only camp still open in the Nsefu sector so guests can enjoy having the whole area to themselves! The impalas drop their young within days of each other, nursery groups gambol around within hours of their birth.
Average Temperature: 30°C | 86F
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| December |
All of Remote Africa Safaris camps are closed as the rains have settled in once again. Our general staff become farmers once more tending their fields of maize and millet.
Average Temperature: 30°C | 86F
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What to Pack:
- Binoculars
- Camera (with spare batteries and film)
- Sunscreen
- Insect Repellent (mainly for mosquitoes)
- Warm Jacket for months of June and July (It is very cold on drives early morning and at sunset)
- Neutral coloured clothing (not white) for walking safaris
- Comfortable light-weight walking shoes
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- Torch with spare batteries
- Hat or cap
- US Dollars cash (with big heads!) Airport departure taxes at present are $25 for international departures and $8 for domestic flight departures
- Laundry is done daily in all the camps so travel light
- If traveling on small light aircraft pack luggage in soft bags not exceeding 12kg per person in total
- For easy on-line shopping of safari goods contact “The Safari Store” at www.safari-store.co.uk |
What to Expect:
| Sunrise |
Wake up to hippo chuckles, birdsong and a most persistent knock on the door! It is time to arise.
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| Breakfast |
A light continental breakfast before departing on your morning game viewing activity.
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| Morning Game Viewing |
At Tafika you may chose to walk / drive / enjoy a sunrise microlight flight/ paint beside the river. On the Chikoko Walking Trails and Mwaleshi Camp you have many paths to follow but all will be on foot! Game viewing activities vary in length from 2 to 4 hours depending on the heat of the day.
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| Lunch at Midday |
A buffet lunch is provided with plenty of choice and fresh salads picked from the abundant garden at Tafika.
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| Early Afternoon |
Rest / Read / Write/ Paint / Absorb the peace.
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| Afternoon Tea |
Time to eat and drink again!
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| Afternoon Game viewing |
Walk till sunset when you return to camp to toast the enveloping darkness OR at Tafika you have the popular option of driving till sunset, raising your glasses to the evening star before returning to camp with a spotlight, affording you the opportunity of observing the nocturnal animals begin their night routines. Mountain biking at Tafika from 4pm to 6pm is an option.
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| Dinner |
A three-course meal under the night skies in the company of fellow guests and guides.
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| Bedtime |
Secure beneath cool cotton sheets and a mosquito net, lulled to a restful sleep by distant lion grunts and hyena whoops fading into the night.
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Photographic Tips: Photographic Tips for Your Safari: By Bryan Jackson
Photographic Equipment You Might Need:
- Camera
- Lenses
- Bag
- Batteries
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- Cleaning
- Tripod
- Filters
- Check in Cameras |
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With so many different Models and Brands to choose from, buying a camera to go on Safari can be harder than choosing which camp to stay at - (except Tafika of course!)
There are two main choices:
(a) Single Lens Reflex (SLR) or
(b) Point & Shoot
The main advantage with SLR is the ability to change lenses from wide angle to telephoto. If all you want is an easy to use camera that offers a zoom lens, then a Point and Shoot is the best option. TIP: - Do not spend too much money on the camera; rather spend more money on a GOOD lens.
Lenses:
Lenses are the eyes of your camera. You change the way your camera sees by changing the lens. Matching the right lens to the right subject is the ultimate key to you taking great photos.
Close up: Macro or Extension tubes. You should use a tripod with these lenses.
Wide Angle: - 18mm – 50mm
There are many lenses within this range. This is the best lens to use when flying in the microlight unless you are a professional with a fancy anti shake telephoto lenses.
Telephoto: - 80mm – 300mm.
300mm is the highest you should go without using a tripod, even then you will get some camera shake. Using any lens bigger than 300mm requires a tripod or bean bags for support. We have bean bags in all the game viewing cars at Remote Africa Safaris, but if you wish to bring your own bean bags bring them empty, we can supply you with rice, beans or another filling.
Camera Bags:
Travel is tough on photo equipment. The size and style of case for protecting your camera equipment will depend on how much equipment you have. If you have an SLR camera, a couple of lenses and a few bits and pieces, a shoulder bag or small back pack should do. (If you have more than that, you will not get on the small planes!) Buy a bag that is comfortable fully loaded and has easy access to the equipment inside.
Batteries:
Batteries are impossible to find in the bush so travel with spares. If you use rechargeable batteries, bring an extra two sets as some camps do not have charging facilities.
Cleaning:
Keeping a camera clean in a dusty environment is impossible, so bring a good:
(a) Blower
(b) Brush
(c) Cloth
The best way to keep dust off the sensor of digital cameras is not to take the lens off, which means you will need an extra camera(s) for the other lenses!
Tripods:
Unless you are feeling strong and happy to pay over weight charges, a good tripod (as I have mentioned several times) can become a bit of a burden. We do have Bean bags in cars and I have a tripod or two floating around my house which can be used at Tafika when needed.
Filters:
Polarizing filters can be one of the most useful accessories you can own. They can increase colour contrast saturation, remove reflection and darken blue skies. The down side is they absorb light by about 1 1/3 stops.
Check which type your camera uses before you buy a polarizing filter:
- manual focus cameras use a Linear polarizer
- most auto focus cameras use a Circular polarizer
Check In:
Checking in camera equipment with your luggage is asking for trouble - if the luggage handler does not drop it, some nice person will take it home! It’s your carry on luggage – which will help to limit the amount of equipment you can bring!
Final Tips to Remember:
- Not once has a lens gone out and taken a photo.
- Slow down, stay a little longer, just wait and watch.
- Buy a good Tripod.
- If you are serious about your photography, pay the extra for a private vehicle and guide to enable you to wait for the perfect photographic opportunities to arise.
Flight Information:
Remote Africa Safaris are able to book seats on most domestic scheduled services as well as arrange private charter flights. A Cessna 206 is based at the airstrip 15 minutes drive from Tafika (called Mwanya Airstrip or New Lukuzi Airstrip) which covers flights between Remote Africa Safaris properties and the following destinations:
Mfuwe
North Luangwa
Lower Zambezi
Kasanka
Bangweulu Swamps
Shiwa Ngandu
Lilongwe (Malawi)
Mozambique
We recommend that guests to Tafika and Chikoko Trails consider booking a 15 minute flight transfer from Mfuwe to Camp in place of the road transfer. This allows one to be settled in camp and ready for an afternoon activity within 30 minutes, rather than the 2 hour drive.
Passengers flying within Zambia please note the following points:
A $8 departure tax applies for all domestic departures within Zambia, payable locally in US dollars.
A $25 departure tax applies for international departures from Zambia, payable locally in US dollars.
Luggage allowances vary but for flights on smaller aircraft the weight limit is normally 12 kgs per person and luggage should be packed in soft bags
Flight reservations can only be made for confirmed bookings.
Cancellation charges and flight restrictions will vary dependant on the airline and routing, details will be advised at time of booking.
Discounts for children under 12 years of age at the time of travel may apply on some scheduled services.
All flights are subject to availability at time of booking.
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