Set adjacent to the newly revitalised Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in Malawi, Rafiki Safari Camp, comprising luxury tents and full camping facilities, opened its doors on November 30, 2018.

The three tented luxury safari units have a private bathroom and a veranda boasting views over the reserve to the distant mountains. The tented accommodation can cater for up to eight guests and is fitted with electric fans, cotton percale linen and towels. The bedrooms feature gauze sashes on the windows and canopied mosquito nets over the beds.

Credits: Rafiki Safari Camp.

Rafiki Safari Camp also has full camping facilities located in the bush under indigenous trees. Each campsite comes with its own braai (barbecue) and is within short walking distance of the ablution block and dishwashing facilities. There are power points for recharging phones, laptops and fridges/freezers if required. During the rainy season there is a small roofed area with power points adjacent to the ablution block.

Guests have full access to the boma for self-catered dining, evening sundowners by the fire and complimentary tea and coffee in the afternoon.

Credits: Rafiki Safari Camp.

Activities include Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve trips, guided game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits, and fishing. Other self-drive activities in the area include visits to Lake Malawi, horse riding, golf, scuba diving, Nkhotakota Potteries, and the Slave Trade Tour.

Sandi Webb, Rafiki Safari Camp MD, told Tourism Update that the inspiration to open the campsite and luxury safari tents, which are both catered and self-catered, was due to two main factors. “Firstly the Nkhotakota Game Reserve is now managed by African Parks, which translocated not only 500 elephants but other wildlife to the park, ensuring that in years to come it will be somewhere that must be visited. Secondly, there is no camping allowed in the park, so an opportunity to offer visitors another form of accommodation adjacent to the park seemed the way to go.”