Anantara walks into the African wilderness with luxury tented camp

Image © Minor Hotels
Minor Hotels will be debuting its luxury Anantara brand in the African wilderness with a site in southern Zambia.

Slated to launch in early 2025, Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp will be located in the expansive Kafue National Park, the oldest and largest of the country’s national parks.

Riverbank site

Currently in the early stages of development, Anantara Kafue River will be located on the banks of the Kafue River.

With 12 spacious tents, including a 600-sq m Presidential Villa offering exclusivity, the camp promises an intimate and exclusive retreat, epitomising luxury in the wild. The camp is bookended by two islands which will accommodate a spa and wellness area with a swimming pool, a restaurant and bar, a lounge and a traditional African boma.

Ultimate safari

Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp is owned by Agro Safari, a division of a stalwart Zambian company. 

The partnership with Minor Hotels signifies a commitment to crafting the ultimate safari experience and brings to life a vision shared by both entities, blending Agro Safari’s extensive land holdings with Minor Hotels’ expertise, underscored by Anantara’s existing Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel.

Immersive experience

The new camp will immerse guests in the heart of a national park populated with wildlife when it launches in early 2025.

Each luxury tent, strategically spaced for privacy and to maximise immersion in the bush and surrounding landscapes, comes complete with its own plunge pool and use of a boat and skipper.

Sustainable and local

Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp is committing to sustainable practices. The resort will embrace eco-friendly features, from harnessing photovoltaic energy to employing parabolic collectors and sustainable woods, ensuring an equilibrium between development and the preservation of the natural environment.

The site will also stand as a community-driven endeavour. The Community Culture Infusion is a pledge to infuse indigenous elements into the fabric of the camp, including engaging local businesses in the supply chain and employing a majority Zambian staff.

Unique opportunity

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels and Group CEO of parent company Minor International, commented: “We are really excited to announce this partnership with Agro Safari to develop and launch an exclusive tented camp in Zambia under our luxury Anantara flag.

“This represents a unique opportunity to offer unparalleled experiences to discerning travellers looking to explore outside the more well known African parks and we look forward to working closely with our partners to bring this camp to fruition.”

Strong presence

Anantara already has a strong presence in southern Africa with The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Hotel by Anantara in Zambia and two small island resorts in Mozambique – Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort and Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort.

In addition the group has joint venture ownership of Elewana Collection, a portfolio of luxurious camps and lodges in East Africa, including Elewana Elsa’s Kopje in Meru, Kenya and Elewana Serengeti Pioneer Camp in Tanzania, and therefore has expertise in delivering safari experiences.

Upcoming group sites in the continent include Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort, Avani Bel Ombre Mauritius Resort & Spa and Oaks Egypt New Capital Apartments & Suites.

Please note: Information regarding project details—including but not limited to opening dates, room counts, and branding—for hotels under development can change as projects progress. The information in this article reflects the most accurate details available at the time of writing and may not be updated afterward.

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