Inside Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River in Zambia

Anantara has opened its first safari property in Africa, unveiling the Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River on the banks of the Kafue River in Zambia’s largest national park. The 13-key camp, three years in the making, marks a new direction for the brand and is the only lodge in Zambia elevated 3.5 metres above the ground, set on rosewood platforms to preserve wildlife corridors. Designed by Meg Ralph Spaces and recognized with top LIV Hospitality Design Awards, the camp’s architecture uses clean lines and natural materials shaped by hand, with structures built around mature Marula and Jackalberry trees. Interiors combine sculpted wood, canvas, and textiles in olive green, terracotta, and cobalt blue, echoing the surrounding landscape.

The property’s standout accommodations are the three Horizon Terrace Suites, each 110 square metres and suspended 14.3 metres above ground, accessed by a glass elevator. These suites feature an upper deck with a star bed for sleepouts under the night sky, a private terrace with uninterrupted views, and a personal Green Egg BBQ. Nine Pool and Bush Villas, each 115 square metres, stand 3.5 metres above the ground on timber platforms, with heated plunge pools overlooking the river and indoor massage rooms with wide river views. At 400 square metres, the Presidential Villa has a shaded deck, indoor massage zone, exclusive boat access, and a dedicated villa host for arranging meals, activities, and spa treatments.

Rates begin at USD 6,289 per room per night for two people sharing a suite, which includes full board, premium beverages, twice-daily game drives, personalized butler service, and one 90-minute spa treatment per person, per stay. The camp operates off-grid, running on solar power with on-site water purification and minimal use of single-use plastics. There’s no set schedule, and guests are encouraged to shape their own experience with the help of villa hosts.

Kafue River with tree-lined bank and blue sky with clouds — Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but p / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

Dining forms a central part of the Anantara Kafue experience. The camp’s floating dining pontoon, a signature Designer Dining feature, is anchored on the river and seats up to four guests who arrive by boat. The sunken central lounge is designed for intimate breakfasts, afternoon tea, and sunset wine tastings at water level, with wildlife observation as crocodiles and hippos pass by. Other venues include Luzuba Harvestry, where modern Zambian classics are served beneath a canopy of trees, and Twalumba Bar & Lounge, offering afternoon tea, signature cocktails, and fireside storytelling on return from safari.

Wellness is given equal footing with conservation-focused safari. A floating Technogym fitness platform with sliding doors opens directly to the river, while an outdoor yoga deck and a wooden swing offer quiet spaces for reflection. Guests can swim laps in the main pool or arrange Anantara Spa treatments in their suites or villas, each equipped with a steam shower. The property is the only one in Zambia, according to Anantara, to offer in-villa and floating wellness experiences of this kind.

Safari experiences are led by experienced Zambian guides, with twice-daily game drives into Kafue National Park, river safaris, bush picnics, and catch-and-release fishing. The camp’s conservation efforts are developed in partnership with African Parks, whose work since 2022 has included the reintroduction of Kafue lechwe antelope and a major wildlife translocation in 2025. The green season, from December through March, brings flourishing vegetation, migratory birds, and quieter surroundings for wildlife photography.

Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River can be reached by private charter flights from Livingstone or Lusaka to Chunga airstrip, or by a four-hour road transfer from Lusaka International Airport. The magazine has also looked at Chiawa Camp’s celestial dining on the Zambezi River, which explores another approach to immersive riverfront experiences in Zambia.