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Tena Tena

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Remote, intimate camp
- Day and night game drives
- Camp-to-camp walking safaris
- Visits to local village

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Overview

Located in one of the last remaining unspoilt wilderness areas of Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, Tena Tena means “temporary home”, and this tented camp’s professional team of staff certainly go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome. Belonging to the Robin Pope Safaris portfolio, the camp is open from mid-May to October each year. Elephants, giraffes, buffalo, leopards, lions, hippos, and around 450 species of birds can be spotted during game drives, and guests can enjoy the privilege of observing rich wildlife from the comfort of their own tents. Just over an hour’s drive from Mfuwe airport, Tena Tena allows its visitors to feel close to nature, while at the same time enjoying a touch of luxury and comfort.

Tena Tena is an intimate camp comprising just five twin tents, and one double that also functions as a honeymoon suite. Shaded by the surrounding mahogany trees, each tent has an en-suite, open-air bathroom, and a private veranda with far-reaching views along the Luangwa River. Guests can congregate in the cosy main camp area which is centred around a large termite mound. An old hippo run has been repurposed into a path that leads onto a raised level of the camp which features a bar and a lovely wooden seating area where guests can sit and soak up the sunset. Dinner is served under the open sky on the picturesque river banks. Note that while Wi-Fi is available on site, there is no mobile phone reception.

Day and night game drives are on offer, along with guided walks accompanied by an experienced guide and an armed scout. Given that Robin Pope Safaris are the only company operating in this part of the park, guests will benefit from the area’s low visitor numbers. Since Tena Tena is only a few hours’ drive north from Robin Pope's main camp, and reasonably close to its sister camp Nsefu, guests can easily combine a visit to Tena Tena with a mobile walking safari. Those wishing to learn more about local culture can take a tour into the Kawaza village to visit the school, or wander through the bustling Mfuwe area, which is bursting with markets, bars, and stalls selling locally-produced tribal textiles. Kawaza village also features the Wildlife Education Centre, a charitable trust which works to educate the children of the Luangwa Valley about the wildlife in the area.

Although the staff at Tena Tena are happy to welcome families with children aged 12 and above, do bear in mind that there is no specific provision for children and the camp does have quite an adult atmosphere. Visitors may wish to consider sister property Luangwa Safari House instead, which is booked on an exclusive use basis and has a dedicated children’s itinerary, or indeed Nkwali with its swimming pool and designated family accommodation unit.

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • We had the most amazing time. It exceeded all my hopes of what the trip would be. The guides, the hotels - everything was of such a wonderful quality. Thank you for organizing everything. I will absolutely recommend Tourdust and use you again.

    MissingClaudia L reviewing Luxury Desert Holiday on 11 January 2024

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