- One of South Luangwa’s original tented camps — intimate, classic, and built for the walking safari.
- Set in the game-rich Nsefu sector on a private stretch of the Luangwa River.
- Six spacious tents; a favourite for couples, honeymoons and small families wanting authentic bush over gloss.
- Best for the dry season (Jun–Oct) when the river draws leopard, lion and elephant to the banks.
Why Tena Tena
Tena Tena is one of the names that built South Luangwa’s reputation. It sits alone on a private bend of the Luangwa River in the Nsefu sector — a corner of the park famous for leopard, big elephant herds and some of the finest walking-safari guiding in Africa. This is not a lodge that shouts. It is canvas, timber and river light, a camp that trades marble for genuine wilderness, which is exactly why discerning safari travellers keep coming back.
For couples, honeymooners and small families who want the real South Luangwa — unhurried, private and beautifully guided — Tena Tena remains a benchmark. It is a luxury of space and silence rather than chandeliers.
The Tents & Setting
Just six generously sized tents stand under the shade of mahogany and ebony trees, each raised slightly and opened to the river. Expect proper beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot water, and a private veranda where the day begins with coffee and the sound of hippo. The main area — a relaxed lounge, dining deck and small fire circle — looks straight onto the water. Being small is the point: you dine as a house party, and your guide knows your name and your pace.
Wildlife & Walking Safaris
The Nsefu sector is classic big-cat country. Leopard sightings are among the best in Africa, and lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo and the endemic Thornicroft’s giraffe are all regulars. But the soul of Tena Tena is the walking safari — South Luangwa is where it was invented — and tracking on foot with an expert guide and armed scout is an experience that game drives cannot match. Night drives reveal the leopards, genets and civets that own the dark.
Best Time to Visit
The camp runs through the dry season, roughly late May to early November. September and October are the dramatic peak — hot, dusty and extraordinary, as animals crowd the shrinking river. June to August is cooler and green-edged. The camp closes in the emerald-season rains.
Rates & How to Book
| Location | Nsefu sector, South Luangwa NP |
|---|---|
| Rooms | 6 tented suites |
| Open | Dry season (approx. Jun–Oct/Nov) |
| Style | Classic tented, walking-safari focused |
| Best for | Couples, honeymoons, small families, keen walkers |
Tena Tena is sold on a fully inclusive basis — accommodation, meals, drinks, and twice-daily activities with your private guide. Because rates shift by season and we build custom itineraries, we quote live pricing on request.
Ready to plan your own South Luangwa walking safari? Talk to a Beyond Africa Safaris specialist, browse our tailor-made safari packages, or message us on WhatsApp for private, custom pricing.
