Tena Tena

Tena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, ZambiaTena Tena, Zambia

stamp3Why photographers love Tena Tena

  • In the remote Nsefu Sector of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park
  • A luxurious tented camp – flagship of Robin Pope Safaris, which still retains an old world atmosphere
  • Very good game viewing from June to October
  • Night drives, walks, off-road driving and visits to local village on offer
  • Excellent Land Cruisers and great guides

How we rate Tena Tena

Wildlife starstarstarstar to star
Wilderness starstarstarstarstar
Lodge and dining starstarstarstar
Vehicles and guides starstarstarstar
Authenticity starstarstarstarstar

Tena Tena at a glance

  • Five twin and one family unit
  • Service is very authentic and charming
  • Dining is wholesome
  • 220 volt charging in rooms

The Park

South Luangwa is a highlight of Zambia, and this camp, in the Nsefu Sector, is in one of its most remote regions. Only two or three camps have access to this area, and sightings are usually very private. South Luangwa is set on the meandering Luangwa River, which drops rapidly in the dry season with game converging on the lagoons that are along its fringes. The area is well known for its leopards, but also for lion, elephant, Thornicroft giraffe, big herds of buffalo as well as more than 450 species of birds.

The seasons

The camp is only open from May to October and is rebuilt every year after the rains. The best visibility and most glorious landscapes are early in the season. It becomes increasingly hot and dry towards the end of the season and this is when the game viewing really starts to pick up. The carmines are in good numbers in the area and usually arrive in September. Birds are plentiful here including storks (a large colony nearby) and large flocks of crowned cranes. You can’t really go wrong.

What Tena Tena costs

The rates start from about $450 per person per night sharing and go up to $800 in the high season. This excludes park fees of $50 a person.

Flights to Lusaka (60 minutes) are with Proflight and are in the region of $300 return.

Photographers need to know

Tena Tena has always had a great reputation for its rare mix of classic styling and elegance. It was previously perched right on the river but moved location in 2013 due to the subsidence of the river bank  – the new location also has wide and wonderful river views, and the tents are even better than before.

The good news

Visitors to Tena Tena and other Robin Pope Safaris camps support Project Luangwa, which in turn benefits dozens of schools in the immediate area.