Walking Safari - the South Luangwa National Park
Tafika Travel Advisor
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2013)
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $25 to $390 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
NO
Email Ove S | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
The guys and the bosses were nice enough, but logistically it was a disaster.
The communications were not good because the contact person were offline due to him being working in areas with low internet coverage, but answered when he had internet available.
We ordered 3 transfers, Harare- Vic Falls, Vic Falls- Livingstone and Livingstone- Lusaka.
Due to the company based in Zambia mixed the dates they hired a Zimbabwe based company to do Harare- Vic Falls. They came late,
drove a 14 hour ride instead of the 7 hour we ordered and demanded us to pay black marked fuel price at 50% higher cost because they had bought it at the black market. Then we understood why they drove the 14 hour route, they could charge more fuel at 50% higher price. I believe they payed the normal fuel price. (This was the Zimbabwe based company they hired.)
We stayed in Vic Falls for 2 nights, then the Zimbabwe guys should drive us to the border dropping us off and be picked up by Tafika travels in Zambia. By this time Tafika and the Zimbabwe based guys had started to fight over the the payment between them, and they didnt want to drive us before Tafika payed them. And my desperate messages to Tafika about our problem werent answered. We had already pre- payed all transfers, so we refused to pay the 800$ the guys demanded from us.
To be fair, our total payement was 960$ for 3 transfers, so the demand for 800$ for 1 transfer was redicilous, but that should have been agreed between them before the transfer, and not become our problem 5 minutes before the original departure leaving us with no transfer between the 2 countries.
The reason for using 2 companies was that we headed for Vic Falls february 9th, but the day before we understood Tafika thought we were going the wednesday 3 days later. So Tafika hired theese guys for the first half of our trip since they had no cars able to pick us up at 1 day notice. The mixed dates mentioned above.
We ended up with paying a local driver money to bring us to Livingstone, Zambia. There we met eventually the driver from Tafika. He was very nice, but had a car to small for our luggage. We ordered a car for 5 persons with luggage (5 suitcases + small bags), but the car could take 1 or 2 suitcases in the trunk. We had to pay 50$ extra for sending the luggage by bus, but only 2 out of 5 came to the hotel so 3 of us had no luggage half the Lusaka stay.
We demanded a refund for the Vic Falls- Livingstone transfer and the 50$ extra luggage cost and were told we should get that back.
After 3 months of waiting we have got only promises but no refund. My last question about the refund werent even answered. That makes me writing this review giving a 1 star. I dont like doing it since the guys were very nice and also promised a refund, but 3 after 3 months I give up.
Email Kerry | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Did not pay my accommodation in the lodges
I chose to use a local Zambian company for my holiday. I wanted to spend the entire time in South Luangwa National Park. That I did, but all within the same immediate area. A little disappointing considering the park is over 9000km2.
I was asked for payment in July to secure lodge accommodations....Mfuwe, Flatdogs, Wildlife camp, Nkozi for my holiday in October/November.
So Tafika Travel Advisor failed to pay for my accommodation at 3 lodges, although I am not sure about Nkozi. Mfuwe Lodge told me they were already owed money from the previous year and so were Wildlife camp. My dealings were with Paul Manda and Robert Zgozi
IN
Email shaista | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
good
Trip was good all amenities was full field ad the current time.
IT
Email Tania & Jacopo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We are happy to have travelled with a professional staff
Communications: We didn't have internet for the most part of the tour, so it was difficult to contact them and we receveid our flight tickets to Livingstone only the day before departure
Safari: Excellent and fantastic guide (Victor). Above expectations
US
Email Yasmin | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding, great communication, pleasant to work with. Every part of the planning was superb
Working with the Tafika agent Paul was very pleasant. He had great communication and was very flexible in adjusting the itinerary based on our needs and desires. While in Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, our guides were superb and very knowledgeable about each excursion and our safety & enjoyment was their #1 concern. Our driver Emmanuel was the best. Very accommodating for all our needs and gave us suggestions for the best places to purchase local souvenirs and African clothing. This truly was a trip of a lifetime and I’m so happy that Tafika made my birthday trip so special. Every time I travel to Southern Africa, Tafika will be the tour company I use each and every time. Thank you for such an outstanding experience .
MY
Email Mark Y | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Very organized and value for money
I researched various travel agencies and Paul came up the most responsive and reasonable price too. The trips to Zambia and Lake Malawi were excellent. We had great Safari guides as well as drivers , Ackim (Zambia) and Sydney (Malawi ). Sydney made our trip in Malawi most memorable.
A wonderful trip!
Email Delia and Henry | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Reliable and very helpful
We enjoyed our honeymoon arranged by Tafika Travel Advisor. They put together a package that was both romantic and adventurous in line with our budget. We were very impressed with the transfers from the airport to our accomodation and from our accomodation to various activities, they were very punctual. Overall the trip was awesome and stressfree thanks to the excellent cordination of the team.
SA
Email Hussain | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
amazing
Thanks Tafika Travel Advisor It was great experience for my wife and I.
IN
Email Nadeem | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Exceptional lifetime safari experience
Going on a safari trip has always been in my mind for the past few years. Till this year when I and my friends finally decided to take up this trip to Zambia and Malawi.
Tafika Travel Advisor has been very professional from the time we started arranging for our trip till our return back home. Paul has been very efficiency in responding to our emails, very helpful while were travelling as he kept checking on us if we were doing ok and fine.
The guides were perfect both in Zambia and Malawi, the food was great and all the lodges were able to cater according to our request. The people were awesome from the day arrived at the airport throughout out trip which made us feel very safe and comfortable.
We can’t wait to go back for another safari trip!!!!!
Email Steve and Julie Reed | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Tafika are very knowledgeable and chose excellent campsites/locations in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Tafika were very responsive to our emails and WhatsApp messages. They have representatives to help in all locations around Zambia, especially helpful at the border crossings, they were there to guide us through the processes. They advised us on activities available at some of the camps and arranged a few for us. They picked some excellent campsites and locations and requested some of the best spots on the campsites for us. We had the most brilliant time and will certainly contact Tafika again when we plan another adventure. Special thanks to Paul, Phil Zulu and the team. Steve and Julie Reed UK.