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Tena Tena Camp

This remote and small camp lies within the South Luangwa National Park and enjoys a stunning location on a sweeping bend of the Luangwa River.

Tena Tena is located on a wide sweep of the meandering Luangwa River, in the quiet Nsefu sector of the Park. The camp is located high on the banks of the river, near the spectacular Buca Buca lagoon.

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A grove of mahogany trees shade the large custom-made tents. From the thatched dining room and bar, guests can watch the elephants, hippo and antelope on the river banks. Near the camp there is a spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to drink. With the camp being remote and small, guests have these scenes to themselves.

For its all-round strengths – secluded location, style, owner involvement, and game-viewing, Tena Tena is undoubtedly one of the best camps in Zambia. In fact, Tena Tena has been described in The Times, London, as “altogether beyond superlatives and must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Africa.”

The camp is open from June through October.

Accommodation

The world renowned Robin Pope Safaris camp, Tena Tena has been redesigned and rebuilt. With the maximum number of guests decreasing from 12 to 8, the camp provides an even more personal and intimate safari for visiting guests.

Tena Tena has a reputation for being a ‘temporary home’ in the the bush – and the atmosphere at this wonderful remote tented camp certainly contributes to this. The interiors are stylish and elegant, beautifully furnished in rich colours, and are reminiscent of Hemingway’s Africa. The Persian rugs, hand-dyed Indian cotton bed-spreads and Bedouin cushions create a homely and attractive environment. There are also heavy linen bathrobes in each en suite open-air bathroom, along with a complete array of quality toiletries.

The bathrooms are made from woven bamboo and join the tents under a large grass archway – Marsh-Arab style. Each tent has been carefully positioned to incorporated a stunning view of the Luangwa River or waterhole, where game is often seen coming down to drink. The front of the tent is designed to roll up completely allowing the guests to watch and admire from the privacy of their own veranda.

Dining and Facilities

The bar and dining room are situated under an old established Natal Mahogany tree; Meals are served in the dining room, overlooking the Luangwa river.The camp also includes laundry services.

Activities

Activities at Tena Tena center around this abundance of game, and guests are offered the opportunity to enjoy game-viewing from open safari vehicles (both day and night drives are conducted), as well as game walks. The camp is located along a very game-rich stretch of the Luangwa River, and there is always game in the vicinity of the camp, more often than not elephant and buffalo.

We have some excellent safari itineraries that include the Tena Tana Camp, please click below for details.

Zambia Two River Safaris – 7 Nights / 8 Days

Tena Tena Camp Gallery

Your stay- what you need to know

Nkwali Lodge
Prime Riverfront Setting

Perched on a wide bend of the Luangwa River, Nkwali offers superb panoramic river views and frequent wildlife sightings from the bar, dining area and riverbank.

Private Land & Rich Habitat

Set on Robin Pope’s private land, the camp is surrounded by ebony woodland and open grasslands — exceptional terrain for game viewing right from camp.

Access to Mfuwe Sector and South Luangwa

With easy access to the Mfuwe Sector, guests enjoy outstanding chances to see leopard and the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe, plus a wealth of general game.

Intimate Chalets & Authentic Design

Six spacious A-frame chalets (max 12 guests) crafted from woven bamboo and thatch, each with generous open-air en-suite clay bathrooms for an authentic bush experience.

Expert Day & Night Game Drives

Fully guided open-vehicle game drives and night drives led by experienced guides provide superb wildlife encounters across diverse habitats.

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More South Luangwa Camps & Lodges

South Luangwa National Park is one of Africa’s most remarkable wildlife regions, renowned for its rich biodiversity and exceptional safari experiences. Here are further recommendations for where to stay when exploring the South Luangwa ecosystem.

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