AboutTena Tena Camp
Tena Tena Camp in South Luangwa National Park, Zambia is synonymous with Robin Pope Safaris as it was their first camp and has become a favourite amongst many safari lovers over the years.
Enquire nowKey facts of Tena Tena Camp
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Discover Tena Tena Camp
The South Luangwa National Park marks the end of the Great Rift Valley, one of the last remaining unspoilt wilderness areas and possibly the finest wildlife sanctuary in Africa – a claim which is not an overstatement.
Situated in the exclusive Nsefu Sector Tena Tena sits nestled under a magnificent and thick grove of mahogany trees. On a double tiered river bank each room enjoys its own private view onto a long stretch of the Luangwa River. It is sandwiched between the river and a complex lagoon system under a magnificent mahogany grove and is a magnet for wildlife and you do not need to go far for some incredible sightings. The camp is small and intimate with a maximum of twelve guests and is run by an experienced team whom are all passionate about their jobs and the level of service that they and the camp provide for the guests.
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The six tents are very private with plenty of space between them and each with its own window onto a magnificent stretch of the Luangwa River where the hippos wallow and the lions roam. The en-suite bathrooms are spacious and open to the elements, designed to copy nature with curved walls around the trees and simple subtle colours and a view from every facility. Each tent is specifically located to maximize privacy both in the rooms, bathrooms and on the verandahs with comfortable sitting areas and excellent views onto the river.
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Game drives
We offer options for day or night drives with Toyota Landcruisers with a "window" seat for everyone. All our vehicles have an open top affording you a vision of total 360 degree.
Walking
The walks are led by our very knowledgeable guides, and escorted by an armed National Park scout. Feel at one with nature and get closer to the action, see the details and signs that the animals leave behind. A vehicle with a canopy can be requested but is subject to availability.
Private Guide/Vehicle
If you prefer to enjoy your activities exclusively, we have the option for you to hire a private guide and vehicle at an extra cost.
Viewing hide
Tena Tena is teeming with wildlife and what better way to take advantage of this than by spending some time in the hide which gives you a completely new angle when viewing wildlife.
Seasonal Hide
During the drier part of the year (Late August - October) we set up our hippo hide, on the river bank overlooking a pod of hippos. This is a popular drinking spot for an array of wildlife too.
Village Tours
A visit to Kawaza Village and the schools is often remembered years later by our guests as the most rewarding part of their visit to Africa. This gives a more holistic experience of the Luangwa Valley.
Wildlife Education Centre
A charitable trust for the school children of the Luangwa Valley to teach them about wildlife and conservation.
Tribal Textiles
For unique locally produced hand-painted textiles, drawing inspiration from the stunning Zambian wildlife and surroundings. A perfect place to buy a souvenir or two of your Zambian experience.
Spa Treatments
Looking for extra relaxation options while you are with us in the wild... There is a mobile spa available at an extra cost in South Luangwa. Our team can arrange this for you.
South Luangwa is a paradise for wildlife lovers, with game species including elephant, buffalo, hippos, giraffe, leopards, and lions and over 450 species of birds. Several antelope species are found in large numbers, especially the puku and impala. Also, to be found in huge herds are buffalo and elephants.
Lion, spotted hyena, leopard, and wild dogs are the main predators. Though the park is popularly known as ‘valley of the leopards’, lions are actually more widely and easily seen.
There are 3 species of herbivores which are endemic to the park; there are Crawshay’s zebra (subspecies of the more common plains zebra), Thornicroft’s giraffe (distinguished by its different coloration which is more striking than other species found in the rest of Southern Africa) and Cookson’s wildebeest (slightly smaller than blue wildebeest with slightly reddish bands).
Keen birders are treated to over 450 bird species in the Luangwa. The Emerald Season is perfect time to see the most species, as the migratory birds are around. Huge breeding colony of yellow-billed storks are a highlight during this season in our Nsefu Sector. Then later in the year from about September to end October/November, we have the carmine bee-eater nesting along the riverbanks of the Luangwa – an amazing and colourful site to be seen.
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Rates and Season Highlights
Our rates are inclusive of accommodation, activities, meals and bar and are charged per person per night by season. Park entry costs are extra. For guests staying more than 7 nights at RPS properties, there are long stay discounts available. There is no supplement charged for single travelers unless there are more than 3 singles. Children’s rates are available as well as a complimentary stay for a second child under 16 years. Note: Rates may vary for residents or regional travellers. All rates are subject to change without notice.
The different seasons offer us incredible diversity in terms of landscapes, wildlife sightings and experiences. We have put together some of these highlights for you to consider as you plan your African adventure with us. Be inspired!
- Open from 22 May. Shoulder season: 880 USD pppn.
- The start of the season and join the guides getting to find their favourite Tena characters and familiarise themselves with the newcomers to the area.
- The rains have finished, and the thunderclouds have gone away for the next few months. Revel in the limitless skies and clarity of this time of year.
- Shoulder season: 880 USD pppn.
- The slightly eerie hyena calls fill the night sky as they wander across the plains looking to see what can be found.
- The bush is drying up and the dust is starting to be kicked up behind the tyres of the game-viewer as we prepare ourselves for our cool and dry winter.
- Peak season: 1100 USD pppn.
- Watch as the buffalo herds start to come into the area and increase in numbers. And as the lagoons dry out this is a chance to catch the occasional fishing party with large numbers of water birds enjoying a fishy feast.
- Sudden flurries of wind kick up the dust and the clear cool mornings see the baboons hugging their feet and catching the sun rays to warm up.
- Peak season: 1100 USD pppn.
- By now the wildlife has settled with the guests in camp so keep an eye open when walking to your room at night so as not to miss our resident hyenas or leopard.
- Chilly nights spent around the campfire with the magnificent starry skies above and the gentle grunts of the hippo as they get ready to come out and graze.
- Peak season: 1100 USD pppn.
- As the river dries out head to the river crossing south of camp to watch the large herds of bull elephants crossing the river and congregating in the shade of the trees.
- Warm days but with the nights and mornings still cool, grab a cup of coffee and slice of toast from the campfire in the morning and watch the day slowly come to life.
- Shoulder season: 880 USD pppn.
- Great balls of quelea are now seen flying through the sky and coming down to dwindling water sources to drink.
- Copy the wildlife by spending time relaxing in the shade enjoying the relief from the daytime heat of this time of the year.
Safarisfeaturing Tena Tena Camp
View all SafarisThe Mobile Walking Safaris
ZambiaTwo Rivers
ZambiaZambezi and Luangwa Safari
ZambiaThe accommodation hit just the right note between great comfort and fitting in with its surroundings, the food was excellent, and the standard of guiding impressive. Jessica did a brilliant job of managing everyone, providing a very relaxed - but efficient - atmosphere. And then, of course, the animals! Having arrived with the knowledge that this was certainly no zoo with guaranteed sightings, they were all most accommodating, with the exception of the invisible hyenas! To see a leopard deciding that a porcupine represented a few prickles too far was an unforgettable experience.
Well the cases are unpacked, the passports away (how sad) but how happy we are with memories of our superb holiday (we have agreed that it was our best ever). We wanted to thank you sincerely for your wonderful hospitality and the great experiences you gave us, we are very grateful to you and for the fact we chose to come to you! We are enjoying looking at our photos and re-living the memories.
Tena Tena is a beautiful setting, right on the Zambezi River. The tents are very well appointed, clean and very comfortable. Our guide, Nyambe was so knowledgeable with a keen sense of the land and the animals. We saw so many animals on every game drive that we laughed they must plant them strategically around every ben. The staff were careful to accommodate any food allergies or restrictions. Every need was carefully met. Not only were the guides first class but the entire staff was wonderful.
Tena Tena is a tented camp on the bank of the river. The tents are of a very high standard and well-equipped. It's spectacular being so close to nature, with the sound of the hippos echoing around and on one occasion an elephant walking just past our room. Guides were very knowledgeable and friendly, and we always felt very safe. Food in the camp was delicious; our daughter is vegetarian and the chef always prepared a tasty vegetarian dish for each meal. This was our first safari experience in Zambia, and based on our experience with Robin Pope safaris we will definitely be back.
My family had tents 5 and 6 for two nights-these tents are to the right of the lounge while 1- 4 are on the left so ideal for a family and with a connecting path or shortcut. Tent 5 has a big tree in the bathroom and tent 6 has a large lower terrace with sofas and chairs. TT is a stunningly beautiful camp and a good contrast to Nkwali and Nsefu. Shannon our host at Nkwali reappeared here and continued to offer very personalized service including arranging a family dinner on our tent’s terrace complete with armed guard.
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