Newmark Hotels & Reserves has announced the upcoming opening of Thitaka River Lodge, a luxury tented camp set along the Kwando River within Bwabwata National Park in Namibia’s Zambezi Region. The property is due to open in July 2026, bringing a remote and community-focused option to the growing list of high-end safari destinations in southern Africa.
Getting there is part of the experience
Positioned within easy reach of both Victoria Falls and Livingstone, Thitaka River Lodge can be reached by a scenic 280km drive or by private charter to the lodge’s own airstrip. From Kasane, guests travel through Chobe National Park and across the Botswana-Namibia border, a three-hour drive that passes through open, wildlife-rich landscapes. A more direct approach is available from Katima Mulilo, a one-hour transfer along tarred roads that gives way to a final short gravel stretch at the river’s edge.
Tented suites along an elephant corridor
Accommodation at Thitaka River Lodge is spread across four categories: Luxury Tents, Luxury Bush Tents, Private Villa Tents and Family Tents. Each sits on elevated decks set into the forest along the elephant corridor, designed around privacy, uninterrupted views and proximity to wildlife. Open-air living runs throughout, with outdoor showers and spaces built to draw guests into the surrounding landscape.
Dining rooted in the land
Food at Thitaka River Lodge follows a locally sourced, seasonal approach. Guests are invited to accompany the chef through the lodge’s herb and vegetable garden to select produce that feeds directly into the day’s menus, adding a hands-on dimension to dining. What appears on the table is shaped by the immediate environment, with ingredients from the surrounding region informing the kitchen’s output.
Wildlife, water and community connection
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Thitaka River Lodge offers a range of guided activities including game drives, river safaris, birdwatching and walking safaris across Bwabwata National Park. A spa provides space for rest between outings. The lodge also hosts a curio shop stocking locally made crafts, including hand-beaded necklaces and artisanal pieces produced by members of the surrounding community, giving guests a direct connection to the culture of the region.
Sustainability is built into the lodge’s operations, from its considered low-impact footprint and nature-led design to its commitment to local sourcing and community engagement.
Neil Markovitz, CEO of Newmark Hotels & Reserves, said: “Thitaka Lodge reflects our continued focus on creating experiences that are deeply connected to place. It’s not only about offering a new destination, but about shaping something that feels considered, grounded and aligned with both the landscape and the community around it.”
Thitaka River Lodge is set to open in July 2026 as part of Newmark’s expanding portfolio, which includes properties in South Africa, Zimbabwe and across the African continent.
Quick Summary – Thitaka River Lodge
- ⭐ Style: Luxury tented safari camp
- 📍 Location: Kwando River, Bwabwata National Park, Zambezi Region, Namibia
- 📅 Opening: July 2026
- 🔑 Key feature: Elevated tented suites along the elephant corridor with Kwando River views
- 🍽️ Dining: Seasonal menus drawing on an on-site herb and vegetable garden
- 🌿 Sustainability: Low-impact design with local sourcing and community craft shop
- ✨ Ideal for: Wildlife enthusiasts and travellers seeking a remote, community-connected safari
