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Thanks a lot for a fantastic report @BRACQUENE. Malawi is a place I really want to visit, and your report convinced me I would enjoy it for the birding alone. Ah, Livingstone's Flycatcher, a bird that has escaped me again and again, congrats on that one! Always great to see so many Sable and Nyala, and the scenery looks just stunning.

Thanks @Athene, I'm sure you'll have an excellent trip, it's good timing for the Carmine Bee-Eaters which I guess will be of particular interest from your profile picture. I'd really like to go back some time and I will probably choose September myself.

@JimS great trip report, we will be at Tafika next year in September so thank you for writing such a detailed report, lovely photos as well!

Day 10 (29 June): Tafika -> Nkwali   I won't be joining a game drive this morning, but I still wake early as I want to say goodbye to other guests and the guiding staff before they head out of camp. It's also an opportunity to appreciate the camp and surroundings in the early morning light, this morning's sunrise makes it all the more worthwhile.   Sunrise upriver from Tafika (iPhone 15 Pro Max)   All my bags are packed, the last thing I do is check the trail camera to see if anything passed my chalet in the night. There's nothing recorded yet again. I suspect the camera really is a dud.   Final thoughts on Tafika  before we go:   The camp: Tafika has a lovely setting right against the river, where a bend turns the river into an east-to-west direction of flow, which means lovely sunrises and sunsets.  Chalets are well spread out, many with views straight onto the river. There's the prementioned hide, quiet while I was there, but I imagine more interesting in the drier months. The communal sitenje and bar will provide welcome shade on hotter days, but during my stay it wasn't unpleasant to sit out in the sun and there is plenty of seating near the riverbank to watch the hippos, crocs, and occasionally elephants in the water. Wifi is available in this part of camp, though guests are asked to be discrete in their use of electronic devices in communal areas. It's immensely calming being disconnected from the electronic harassment of modern life, and while this might be only a temporary charade, it's helped by the lack of obvious laptop, tablet and phone use by other guests.   Meals are communal, seated around one or more large circular tables on the lawns. Traveling alone I particularly appreciated the communal dining, even though I'm not particularly extrovert and quite comfortable in my own company. The Coppingers' decades of experience was evident in their hosting at mealtimes, playing a large part in my comment above that "by the time you leave you feel like part of the family".   The accommodation: I was already a big fan of the signature style of Remote Africa Safaris' accommodation from Chikoko and Big Lagoon; Tafika was no exception. Very comfortable, with all the amenities you need but with a sense of being part of the landscape rather than being imposed on it. The reasons for me taking this trip alone (my wife is very bothered by bugs and such getting into the accommodation) were very apparent, with insects, a mouse, and numerous bats being frequent visitors. Not a problem for me though. Mains power is available in the chalet.   Game drives: Game drives are in the northern half of the Nsefu sector - a triangle-shaped extension to the national park on the east side of the river. Close to the river there are many lagoons such as those where we saw the fledgling storks. In late June the density of wildlife wasn't a match for the central areas of the park, but I can image how the animals will gravitate to these lagoons as the surrounding areas get drier and drier in coming months. Apart from the journey out to Hot Springs when we went looking for dogs, game drives stayed close to the river, venturing around 5km from camp. The journey out to Hot Springs took a long time and unfortunately gave little pay-back (though seeing the jackals was a nice surprise), but of course I'd have a very different view if we'd found the dogs, or had a good sighting of lions.   The guides: I hear it said that Tafika's guides are among the best in all Africa. Personally I lack sufficient comparisons from the rest of the continent to make that claim, but I certainly found Mkupa and Billy to be excellent - for their knowledge but also their enthusiasm for passing some of that knowledge on to people like me. Billy, who had been my guide and host at the walking camps, proved quite a revelation. I'm sure his infectious enthusiasm had played a large part in his role as a kind of wildlife ambassador to Japan, a role he secured many years before after making such a strong impression on some Japanese guests who were scouting for just such a person. All the more incredible as he'd only just qualified as a guide, and if I remember correctly this might even have been his very first game drive.   Game drives from Tafika   Talking of dogs or lions, more specifically the lack of them, this was the only source of disappointment for me as I departed Tafika. I'd hoped that in 10 days so far in South Luangwa I might have seen dogs, and expected to have encountered more lion beyond the encounters in the first 2 days at Flatdogs. I'm hoping my luck changes in the next few days at Nkwali.

Thanks a lot @TonyQ@dloand @Towlersonsafarifor your kind words !

very interesting report-the camps and birding look great @BRACQUENE, please accept  our condolences for your loss

@pscrimshawThe BBC filming was completed at the end of this season so you do not have to fear any issues with sightings. Best wishes for fabulous sightings on your trip.

I have to say your photos from this trip have been stunning! I’m visiting the Nsefu sector next year and this news absolutely terrifies me. The idea that the film crew is essentially acting as a de facto ranger team seems like it would ruin any leopard sightings in the area from a photographic stand point. I’ll definitely be looking more into this and adjust my plans if filming continues 

Necrosytes monachus on African Buffalo Remains     Taken on 26 June, 2024 at 4:04 pm in Manyeleti Game Reserve, Ndzhaka Camp, using an EOS 1D X camera with a Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II super-telephoto lens   ISO 400, f/3.5, 1/1250 sec., handheld Manual shooting mode in a safari vehicle in afternoon light   **********************************************************************************************************************************************************   ~ Heading out for the afternoon game drive a pair of Necrosytes monachus were spotted next to the track, perched on week-old African Buffalo remains..   They were so intent on their task that our presence seemed to have little effect. Their deliberate movement on the remains demonstrated careful consideration.  

Thanks for the report @BRACQUENEglad to see you had another great trip. I’ll add my voice to those who love Liwonde. It is definitely an underrated gem and worth anyone’s time.   @AfricIanwe w were in Malawi in may and didn’t walk but I was told they’re were walks and I saw something about Mvuu having multday walks when researching the trip. @Scooter Don’t hesitate to visit. It’s a beautiful country with great scenery throughout. My trip was mostly a hiking trip but Liwonde is great and you can get more safari in Luangwa if you need it. Zomba is one of my favourites in Africa and Thyolo and lake Malawi are also great places to visit. If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask.

Wonderful experience and excellent photos. Beautiful 

Yes, parking in Audi camp is right next to the tents. Breakfast and dinner was good. Nothing special really but good enough to enjoy. Not sure how big the camp is overall. Pretty much stayed by our tent, the bar/restaurant and pool. Didn't walk around too much.    

We have ended our visit buying some home made souvenirs. It was a very interesting visit, and we have to thank our guide Ueera for its success.    

... and kids!          

Details and portraits ...