zambia - luangwa National park

Tena Tena Camp

"Tena Tena Camp is altogether beyond superlatives, and must be one of the best safari camps in the whole of Africa"
The Times, London.

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

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 by there is a spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. With the camp being remote and small, we have these scenes to ourselves.

8-10 guests
tented accommodation
en suite bathrooms
open June - October
walking, drives, night drives

Tena Tena Location

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 by there is a spectacular lagoon, Buca Buca, where a whole morning can be spent quietly sitting while the game comes down to feed and drink. Being remote and so small, we have these scenes to ourselves.

Tena Tena Activities

Fly-In Safari Lodge Wildlife Game Drives Safari Walking/Hiking Honeymoon Photography Birding LuxuryTented Camp Price Range - Southern Africa: $350 - $600

Tena Tena Attractions

The Luangwa Valley, which marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, is one of the last unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa. It covers an area of 9000 sq. kms. through which the meandering Luangwa River runs. The ox bow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game - including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo - and over 400 species of birds.

Tena Tena Facilities

The world renowned Robin Pope Safaris camp, Tena Tena has been redesigned and rebuilt. It opened for the first time on 1st June. With the maximum number of guests decreasing from 12 to 8, the camp will provide an even more personal and intimate safari for those staying. 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. Robin Pope has made Tena Tena his base for the last 15 years and will returning to manage the camp this season. The decor has a Middle Eastern feel to it. The spacious tents are beautifully furnished in rich colours. The Persian rugs, hand-dyed Indian cotton bed-spreads and Bedouin cushions create a homely and attractive environment. 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. The bar and dining room are situated under an old established Natal Mahogany tree, they remain in a similar style to before, built entirely from local materials - grass, bamboo and Mukwa (local hardwood). Meals are served in the dining room, overlooking the Luangwa river.

Tena Tena Additional Information

*GAME DRIVES conducted in open 4x4 vehicles by knowledgeable safari guides. Special game- viewing seats provide excellent viewing and opportunities for photography.

*NIGHT DRIVES - Set out in the afternoon. Later, after watching the sun set over the river with a sundowner in hand, the drive continues with a powerful spotlight. The nocturnal world of the bush is witnessed from owls and genets to hunting lions and the graceful leopard. All Robin Pope Camps are intimate and highly personalised and offer exceptional service, flexibility and responsiveness to guests wishes.

Fly Camping

This safari combines Tena Tena and Nsefu Camp with a night or two fly camping in the the Nsefu sector. The emphasis is on walking, and the safari will walk from camp to camp.

The walking safari area is one of the best riverine areas in the Luangwa. The river is rapidly changing course here and the resulting channels and lagoons host spectacular game.

The fly camping sites are situated in secluded areas of the Nsefu sector, and the fly camp is simple and "bush". The camp is already set up for your arrival with well-equipped walk-in tents. The shower is under a tree and the toilet is a long drop with a wooden throne

The safari starts at Tena Tena and ends at Nsefu Camp, where there is an option of drives or walks.


4 guests
from June - October
walking and drives at Nkwali, Tena Tena and Nsefu, walking for 2 or 3 days.
standard itineraries of 5 or 7 nights; any combination of camps or number of nights available on request

For further details or booking enquiries please contact us