Sanctuary Retreats

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 operatelodges and camps in Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. In addition we offer private 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 seven spectacular expedition cruise ships in some of the most amazing cultural and ecological sites in the world. Five of our cruises explore epic rivers - the Yangzi in China and the Nile in Egypt - while our other two boats journey 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.

Where we operate

Botswana, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

See a map

Charities we are proud to support:

See all charities supported by Atta's Members

Our Commitment to Responsible Tourism

A commitment to conservation and responsible tourism has been an integral part of the construction of our properties and our daily operations ever since we opened our first camp in Kenya's Masai Mara in 1999. Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy (SRP) continues to build long lasting relationships with the rural communities in the areas in which we operate through identifying and supporting long-term, viable and self-sustaining projects. Our aim is to ensure that all projects are supported by both our staff and visitors. We work closely with the communities to identify their needs in order to improve their general well-being through empowerment, improved infrastructure, skill development and the overall enhancement of health, education and lifestyle for the future.

Sanctuary Retreats Philanthropy selects projects based on their potential to create long-lasting relationships with the communities in the areas in which we operate. Our goal is to identify and sponsor long-term, viable and self-sustaining projects that will have the support of our staff and visitors. The projects listed on these pages are all collaborative. We work closely with the local communities to determine their needs and improve their wellbeing.

We support numerous projects in various countries. More info on these are available on our website at: http://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/philanthropy/philanthropy-projects

BOTSWANA:

• Living with Elephants - Sanctuary Retreats and non-profit charity Living With Elephants invite you to explore Africa from an elephant’s perspective.
• Plants & People Africa - A botanical research and community outreach project in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

KENYA:

• We are working together with Enkereri village and school on various initiatives including a biogas project, a renewable energy source used for cooking and heat.
• Make a difference while on holiday and help us combat increasing deforestation by planting your own tree in our tree nursery
• Through a unique system, wastewater is cleaned and released back into the Mara River and used in the irrigation system for our tree nursery.
• Guests have the opportunity to see the women producing the beadwork and purchase the handicrafts in the Sanctuary Olonana gift shop.
• Enjoy a delicious fresh salad picked from our own organic vegetables garden - one of the simplest forms of conservation.

TANZANIA

• We are working Ilboru Primary School in Arusha to improve and advance their Special Needs Unit.
• Mwika Bee Keeping Project - We are working with the village on a grassroots beekeeping project, emphasising the preservation of the environment to bring rewards to the community.
• Serengeti Cheetah Project - The project helps to monitor the demographics of the cheetah in the area, one of the last few remaining natural ecosystems where these cats exist in viable numbers.

UGANDA

• Bwindi Community Hospital - Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is working with Bwindi Community Hospital on an on-going basis to continue to develop its resources.

ZAMBIA

• Nakatindi Village - Since Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma started working with the village, a new borehole has been installed, as has a hammer mill for grinding maize. The most recent project is the construction of a rural health clinic.