NEWS
Anantara enters tented safari segment in Zambia
Minor Hotels has introduced Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River, marking the first tented safari camp for the Anantara brand and a milestone in its 25th anniversary year. The 13-key camp is located within Kafue National Park in Zambia, one of Africa’s largest protected areas. Set above the Kafue River, the property combines elevated design, wildlife immersion, solar-powered operations and in-nature wellness. Its opening supports the wider ecological restoration of the park, where long-term conservation work is helping the wilderness recover.
Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River is positioned as a high-touch safari retreat in a landscape of river frontage, wildlife movement and restored ecosystems. The camp is raised on timber platforms at least 3.5 metres above the ground, allowing animals to move below while giving guests uninterrupted views of the river. This elevated design makes the property distinctive in Zambia’s safari market and reinforces its low-impact approach to hospitality.
The camp sits within Kafue National Park, a vast protected landscape where hippos, elephants, antelope, large predators and more than 500 bird species can be found. The opening comes at a time when wildlife restoration initiatives are helping the area regain ecological strength. For guests, the experience is shaped by a sense of active conservation rather than passive observation.
Activities at Anantara Kafue combine land and water experiences. Guests can take part in game drives, river safaris, guided walks, bush picnics and catch-and-release fishing. This variety allows the camp to reveal the park through different rhythms, from early-morning wildlife tracking to slower moments on the river.
Design has been led by Meg Ralph Spaces, with the project recognised by the LIV Hospitality Design Awards. The camp follows a contemporary, low-impact design approach, using prefabricated structures that preserve existing trees. Its operation is fully solar-powered, with on-site water purification, bottling and treatment systems, and a commitment to eliminating single-use plastics from the start.
The property also uses soft red lighting at night to reduce disturbance to nocturnal wildlife. This detail reflects the camp’s wider philosophy: luxury hospitality should adapt to the wilderness rather than dominate it. By placing guest comfort inside a carefully considered environmental framework, Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River creates a safari experience grounded in respect for place.
Accommodation includes three Horizon Terrace Suites, nine Pool and Bush Villas and a Presidential Villa. The Horizon Terrace Suites are suspended 14.3 metres above the ground and are described as the highest suites in Zambia. Accessed by a glass elevator, they include upper-level star beds and generous decks designed for open-air rest, stargazing and river views.
The nine Pool and Bush Villas feature private plunge pools and dedicated indoor spa rooms, creating a more private and wellness-focused safari stay. The 400-square-metre Presidential Villa is designed for elevated river views, exclusive boat access and a private spa zone. Across all accommodation categories, dedicated hosts assist guests with dining, activities and wellness arrangements.
Dining is built into the rhythm of the stay rather than treated as a fixed restaurant routine. A signature floating pontoon on the Kafue River hosts dawn breakfasts, afternoon tea and sunset dinners above the water. Luzuba Harvestry and Twalumba Bar & Lounge offer modern Zambian cuisine, cocktails, afternoon tea and fireside gatherings.
The culinary experience also includes Spice Spoons, a hands-on Zambian cooking class that gives guests a deeper connection with local food traditions. This adds a cultural layer to the safari stay, linking cuisine with destination discovery. By combining river dining, contemporary Zambian flavours and participatory cooking, the camp positions food as part of the overall wilderness experience.
Wellness is another defining pillar of Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River. Guests can access the full range of Anantara Spa treatments in their suites or villas, supported by private steam sessions. The availability of steam facilities within the privacy of each suite or villa gives the property a distinctive wellness feature within the Zambian market.
Fitness and recovery are also shaped by the river setting. A fully equipped floating Technogym platform is anchored in the water, offering space for private training, yoga and open-air relaxation. Nature-based activities such as birdwatching and stargazing further extend the wellness offer beyond conventional spa treatments.
Access to the camp is designed for both regional and international travellers. Private charter flights are available from Livingstone or Lusaka to Chunga airstrip, while the camp can also be reached by short domestic flight from Livingstone. Lusaka International Airport is approximately four hours by road from the property.
With Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River, Minor Hotels expands the Anantara brand into a new safari format while deepening its presence in Africa. The camp brings together conservation, elevated tented accommodation, river-based experiences, Zambian cuisine, wellness and low-impact design. It also signals how luxury safari hospitality is evolving toward smaller, more intentional retreats that connect comfort with ecological responsibility.
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