Header: Courtesy of Anantara Hotels & Resorts
The new Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River is a luxury camp set above the Kafue River in Zambia, within Kafue National Park. The camp was developed by Anantara Hotels & Resorts, with the interiors and architecture having been the responsibility of Meg Ralph Spaces. Concluded back in April 2026, it is scheduled to open this month, June 2026. Because of its design and its close relationship with both the landscape and the animals that move through it, the project won the “Architectural Design Lodge” category at the LIV Hospitality Design Awards.
An introduction to Kafue National Park
The Kafue National Park covers about 22,400 km² and is home to 158 mammal species and 21 antelope species, many of which move through the landscape in search of water. It is this knowledge and setting that give the camp its character: its villas, decks and shared spaces are raised above the ground and look out over the reservoirs, allowing water, animals and vegetation to continue moving beneath and around the buildings.
The 13 villas
As we’ve seen, the architecture is based on height and lightness. The main tented villas stand on platforms about 3.5 metres above the ground, leaving space below for seasonal water and wildlife to pass through. From this raised position, the rooms look out towards the river, bush and canopy, giving guests a wider view of animals moving naturally towards the watering holes.
The camp includes nine Pool Villas, three Horizon Terrace Suites and one Presidential Villa, all linked by elevated decks and winding paths. At night, the lighting changes to a soft red glow to reduce disturbance to nocturnal wildlife.
The exterior looks quiet and dark: dark charcoal structures sit beneath stretched fabric roofs, while timber platforms and open edges help the camp look less conspicuous. The architectural style is African Modernism, combining canvas tents with glass and wood to give the villas a contemporary look with all of the comforts one might wish for – different, therefore, from traditional safari lodges.
The Pool Villas
The Pool Villas measure 115 sqm and are set up as private raised retreats under the canopy. Each one has a deck, private balcony, plunge pool and in-villa barbecue, with terraces, pools and wide openings that keep the river and trees in view.
The Horizon Terrace Suites
The Horizon Terrace Suites are smaller, at 65 sqm, but sit higher in the landscape, rising 17 metres with rooftop lounges 20 metres above the river canopy. They are described as treetop retreats, with outdoor decks, private terraces, dining areas, outdoor bathtubs and star beds. Here, the safari guests sleep in the trees rather than beside them.
The Anantara Presidential Villas
The Anantara Presidential Villa is larger and more private, with 400 sqm of space, a balcony 3.5 metres above the river, a private terrace, an in-villa barbecue and exclusive boat access. A larger two-bedroom version, measuring 515 sqm and including an outdoor jetty and river-view terrace, can also be arranged, giving it the feel of a self-contained river house within the camp. No major trees were removed during construction, with the bathroom having been constructed around a mature tree.
A safari interior, but make it luxury
Inside, Meg Ralph Spaces moves away from the heavy colonial safari look, using clean forms, mid-century details, local references and colours drawn from the Zambian landscape. Clay, copper, emerald, terracotta and cobalt appear throughout the rooms, linking the interiors to the soil, minerals, vegetation and water outside.
Carved wooden panels, artisanal tiles, textured wallpapers, raw wood, handwoven natural textiles, custom lighting, handmade furniture, and decorative pieces appear throughout the suites and communal areas. Local Zambian and South African artisans, including weavers and ceramicists, created custom pieces for the camp, from woven textiles and handwoven throws to furniture, lighting and custom tiles inspired by traditional Zambian craftsmanship.
The rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding glass walls, verandas, outdoor decks, outdoor showers and open-air layouts that keep them close to the river and trees. Glass and height create the needed separation between guests and wildlife, while still allowing the rooms to feel open to the landscape and to the animals moving through it.
A richness of amenities
The camp includes a restaurant, lounge, traditional African boma, reception, courtyard and pool, with both indoor and outdoor spaces spread across the lodge. Luzuba Harvestry offers all-day African and international dining, while Twalumba Bar & Lounge, Designer Dining, in-room dining, riverbank picnics, bush dinners, boat lunches and wine pairings offer a rich dining programme. Treatment spaces are included directly in the villas, while the wider camp includes a floating gym and an outdoor yoga deck.
Respecting the setting
Prefabricated frameworks and sustainably sourced timber were used to reduce the impact of construction. The camp runs entirely on solar energy and includes reverse-osmosis bottling, water purification and water-management systems. Electric vehicles and boats are also part of how the camp operates, while the raised decks and stilts leave the ground more open for wildlife to move through.
Project information
Lead Designer: Meg Ralph Spaces
Hospitality: Anantara Hotels & Resorts
Location: Kafue National Park, Zambia
Date: April 2026
