Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River

Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River lies on the banks of the Kafue River in the northern part of Kafue National Park, Zambia's oldest and largest protected area. The camp sits between two river islands, and its villas stand on timber platforms above the riverbank so that wildlife can move freely below.

There are 13 places to stay. Nine tented pool villas come in two kinds: Bush Pool Villas set in the riverine woodland, and Kafue Pool Villas with open views of the river. Both have a private plunge pool, a balcony with an in-villa barbecue, an outdoor bath or shower and their own spa treatment room. Three Horizon Terrace Suites are raised into the tree canopy with a star bed on the deck, and the 400 square metre Anantara Presidential Villa has its own river deck, pool and boat access. Every villa and suite has a dedicated host.

Meals are served at Luzuba Harvestry, the all-day restaurant, and drinks and light bites at Twalumba Bar and Lounge. The camp also sets up boma dinners, bush dinners, riverbank picnics, boat lunches and wine pairings. A floating gym with a yoga deck is moored on the river, and there is a main swimming pool on the deck above the water.

Days follow the rhythm of the park: morning and afternoon game drives of about three hours in open 4x4s, river safaris by boat into channels no road reaches, and stargazing from the telescope deck. Kafue is known for its range of antelope, including puku, sable, roan and Lichtenstein's hartebeest, as well as elephant, hippo, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog. More than 500 bird species have been recorded in the park, with Pel's fishing owl, wattled crane and African finfoot among those birders look for.