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Average
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About
5.0
#1 of 1 campground in Nkhotakota
Location
4.9
Cleanliness
5.0
Service
5.0
Value
5.0
Set adjacent to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Rafiki Safari Camp is the perfect base when exploring the wilderness of Malawi. Rafiki Safari Camp boasts spacious Safari Units consisting of luxury ensuite tents, as well as, full camping facilities and a beautiful Boma to while away the evenings. Close to the famous Lake Malawi, this well-located Safari Camp offers fully equipped self-catering facilities.
Owner's Sandy and Chris have created a beautiful lodge in the heart of the bush. They were most welcoming and we had a wonderful and relaxing time. The food was absolutely delicious and all the staff were extremely friendly and hard working. The Safari style rooms are immaculate, contemporary and a splash luxurious!! They come equipped with a fan, king-size bed, beautiful clean linens and towels, ensuite bathroom, mosquito net plus a few little extras that really shows the care and dedication that goes into running this fantastic lodge!
Thank you sandy and Chris, we will definitely be back soon!
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Date of stay: January 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Jan 21, 2021
Thank you Alice, it was wonderful to meet you and looking forward to having you back at Rafiki Safari Camp soon. Thank you from all of us at Rafiki.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We spent the night here as a stopover on our way home from Chinteche to Blzntyre. We loved it. The rooms/tents are furnished with wonderful attention to detail and our shower had spectacular views over the bush. The atmosphere is relaxed and easy and the staff are delightful. We would have stayed longer if they weren't booked up already for the long weekend.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from OnAir53941782802, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Jul 5, 2020
It was really lovely meeting you both. Thank you so much for the sourdough starter. Thank you for your kind words. From the Rafiki Team
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Some friends and I spent two wonderful nights at Rafiki Safari Camp. The camp has a great location at walking distance of Bua River and is close by car to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. The common area - Boma- and the accommodation units are beautifully decorated and are definitely comfortable. I personally loved the open shower and the private veranda of my tent. We enjoyed the trails around walking and cycling, the pool and the evening bonfire. We chose the self-catering option and the service from the staff, especially Isaac and Jhonathan, was terrific. Sandi was attentive at every moment, made us feel welcomed and arranged for us a walking safari within the reserve. Thank you for a wonderful time. We definitely will be back.
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Date of stay: August 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Aug 26, 2020
Thank you for very much for your wonderful review, we do hope to see you soon at Rafiki agin. Kind regards the Rafiki Team
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Just heaven arriving at Rafiki after having travelled from Bangula up to Nyika staying at a couple of Game Parks on the way. Rafiki is a real little gem tucked away in natural bush with amazing trees, birdlife and the Bua River. They offer amazing tented rooms which are tastefully done and most comfortable, scrumptious fare and hosts and staff extraordinaire.
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Date of stay: August 2020
Value
Rooms
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Aug 26, 2020
Thank you for your wonderful review, you certainly travelled a long way from home, great meeting you both and look forward to seeing you in the near future. Kind regards from the Rafiki Team
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We spent a really relaxing few days here after a busy week, enjoying the warm hospitality of Sandi, Chris and their team in their beautiful newly built off-grid safari camp. Wonderfully comfortable accommodation in a tranquil bush setting, just off the beaten track outside Nkhotakota, with the lake a short drive away and within an easy journey of Lilongwe. The food was fantastic - Sandi's imaginative cuisine caters equally well to meat lovers and vegetarians, all based on the wonderful fresh local produce. She drove us the short distance to the nearby Nkhotakota National Park for a dawn hike. Guided by Moses, one of the enthusiastic and knowledgeable park rangers, we saw animal tracks, myriads of birds and native trees and plants - as we were there in the rainy season, the large animals remained well hidden in the lush vegetation. After a couple of happy hours rambling through the morning sunlight, we returned to a magnificent breakfast on the terrace. Walking on the banks of the nearby Bua river, lolling in the small pool watching the sun go down and sitting on the khonde marvelling at the Milky Way and counting the shooting stars will be abiding memories of this beautiful place!
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from OnAir53941782802, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Mar 4, 2020
It was really wonderful meeting you both and such a great pleasure hosting you. We hope you come back to Malawi in the not to distant future. Kind regards Chris, Sandi and the whole Rafiki Team
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An exceptionally well maintained safari camp located just outside the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve and close enough to the M5 tarmac road that it’s an easy drive. We stayed in the spacious luxury tents and enjoyed views over the woodland and distant mountains, a comfortable bed and piping hot showers. We booked for dinner each night and the three course meal plus a loaf of bread was more than adequate and the quality of the meals absolutely fantastic! Well done to the team. You won’t want to miss the delicious and famous bread. We were pleasantly surprised to learn of trails that we could walk down to the Bua River which provided one of many glorious sunset spots. The pool was sparkling clean and definitely needed as the October heat begins to set in! We loved the pool. Best of all, we saw so many animals on an early morning drive in the reserve: elephants, sable, reed buck, impala, water buck, warthogs, baboon, hawks & bats. Chris and Sandy were wonderful hosts and made us truly feel at home. Definitely a special place in Malawi.
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Oct 26, 2022
Thank you it was wonderful meeting you and hosting you at Rafiki, we hope to see you back. With Thanks from the Rafiki Team
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We stayed here for two nights as part of a wider trip around Malawi- 2 adults and two kids. It was honestly one of the highlights of the whole trip. Friendliest welcome, gorgeous food, and such lovely surroundings, on the edge of the national park.
During the days, we went for walks, spotting animal and plant life, read books around the lodge, and the kids spent hours in the pool. Walks around the area (with recommendations and even a little map provided) allowed a little exploration on foot, and we got to see the river (although thankfully no crocodiles!) Sandi and Chris were really helpful in advising what to do and where to go. We decided against a safari drive during our stay due to the rains and the consequent conditions of the roads. This would be possible at other times however, and Nkhotakota is great to see.
We had a shared family chalet which was plenty big enough for us all. The chalets and lounge/dining areas were new and clean, and the decor was stylish and modern throughout. The honesty bar was well stocked, and the healthy but indulgent home cooked food was a real highlight. We feel lucky to have found this place, and it was great to meet Sandi and Chris. Highly recommended place to stay if you find yourself in/around Nkhotakota in the future.
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Date of stay: December 2020
Rooms
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Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Jan 4, 2021
Thank you so much, it was wonderful meeting your amazing family, Malawi will miss you, travel home safely and everything of the best for 2021. Kind Regards from us all at Rafiki Safari Camp.
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We loved our visit to rafiki. It was just the getaway we needed. The accommodation is fantastic ( we particularly loved the open air shower overlooking nkhotakota National Park) and the staff were so amazing. We opted for self catering thinking that we will be cooking ourselves, but the stay also included a wonderful cook who made our stay even more enjoyable. The kids enjoyed the little pool and were so excited to roam freely around the camp. All COVID precautions were taken into account by the lovely owners sandy and Chris, who checked in with us daily. Everyday we enjoyed the walking trails and there was a lovely spot to watch the sunset as we sipped on our sundowners! We will definitely be visiting again.
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Date of stay: July 2020Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Aug 26, 2020
It was wonderful to hear and see the children having so much fun. You certainly did all the trails. Thank you for your wonderful review and we look forward to seeing you all again at Rafiki. From The Rafiki Team
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Our two-night stay at Rafiki Safari camp was a gift and like a gift, each moment was slowly unwrapped and examined for the exquisite pleasure it brought. New friendships formed around the evening fires, shared stories in the still of the night. There is something very comforting about beautiful food and excellent service, particularly as one climbs into crispy sheets and wallows in luxury for the evening song. Dawn starts gently before the sun, walking to the Bua river, with hot tea, you can almost feel the grasses wake up and whisper about the exciting day ahead. The birds begin their song and the river joins the foray, there is nothing to do at this moment but take a breath. Submerged in the depths of the cool blue pool on deck, one is captured by the magnificence of the distant mountain ranges and valleys. its the little things that make the interaction special, smiles in the kitchen, an honesty bar, and our hosts who have the heart of lions.
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Date of stay: July 2020
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Â All rooms are beautiful with privacy and views
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Jul 21, 2020
Thank you very much for your wonderful review, its was lovely meeting you both and hope to see you at Rafiki again soon. From the Rafiki Team
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We stayed 3 days at Rafiki, and had an amazing time. We enjoyed the quiet surroundings, walks and swimmingpool. The food was delicious and the staff bright and friendly. The tents look like houses with wooden doors, a spacy veranda and a beautifull bathroom on the back. On our gamedrive we saw elephant, antilope, bushbuck, crocidile baboon and duiker. We also saw beautiful butterflies. Thank you for everything.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Sandi Webb, Owner at Rafiki Safari Camp
Responded Nov 4, 2021
Thank you so much, we really enjoyed your stay and hope you will be back to see us in Malawi. Travel Home safe. Kind regards The Rafiki Team
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There are more places to choose from in the Nkhotakota area.
PRICE RANGE
$189 - $190 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
MalawiCentral RegionNkhotakota
NUMBER OF ROOMS
3
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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