About Sanctuary Retreats

Imagine seeing the annual wildebeest migration as millions of animals make their way across the plains of the Serengeti or canoeing alongside hippos on the Zambezi River, learning about Maasai culture in the Masai Mara, seeing the mountain gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest up close or walking with elephants in the Okavango Delta. Imagine snorkelling with sea lions in the Galapagos, catching a glimpse of rural life in China or a private tour of an ancient Egyptian monument. Imagine days filled with such adventures before returning to your luxury accommodation for a gourmet three course dinner.

Sanctuary Retreats was born in Africa with the launch of our first luxury safari camp, Sanctuary Olonana, in Kenya in 1999. We now own and operate thirteen lodges and camps in Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and Uganda. We also offer private luxury camping across East Africa and our first luxury walking safari camp opened in Zambia's South Luangwa in June 2011.

Building on our heritage of luxury adventure travel, we also manage and run three spectacular expedition cruise ships in some of the most amazing cultural and ecological sites in the world. Two of our cruises explore epic rivers - the Yangzi in China and the Nile in Egypt - while our third boat journeys through the awe-inspiring volcanic archipelago that is the Galapagos Islands.

The Sanctuary Retreats’ portfolio of luxury safari lodges and expedition ships bring the boutique experience to guests with the added promise of authenticity. Located in some of the most stunning locations in the world, each property is completely individual in its design and operated around the philosophy of “Luxury, naturally”. All have the same aim: to allow guests to have a “real” experience and enjoy a more natural kind of luxury in properties that have a strong commitment to conservation and responsible tourism.