A&K Sanctuary Retreats Luxury Safari Lodges & Camps
A&K Sanctuary Retreats Luxury Safari Lodges & Camps plus Africa Safaris. In Southern and East Africa, A&K Sanctuary Retreats manages some of the best resorts and safari camps in breathtaking settings. The 1999-founded business’s motto, “Luxury, naturally,” is clear from its emphasis on giving clients thrilling safari experiences in opulent settings. The outstanding guides at Sanctuary Retreat are quite knowledgeable about the area and make wonderful interpreters and safari companions.
The recent opening of a luxury walking safari camp in Zambia’s South Luangwa is just one of the many safari activities offered by A&K Sanctuary Retreats, which currently runs 13 lodges in prime game-viewing areas in Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as providing gorilla trekking in Uganda and private luxury camping in East Africa. Other activities include motorboat and canoe excursions, as well as day and night game drives.
A&K Sanctuary Retreats
A&K Sanctuary Retreats is firmly committed to ethical tourism and environmental preservation. As part of its dedication to high-quality, low-impact tourism, the lodges are created using local resources and labor, adhere to regional architectural and cultural norms, and have a maximum of fifteen cottages or tents.
The lodges of A&K Sanctuary Retreats are among the most sought-after real estate in the world because of their exceptional accommodations in breathtaking settings, superb service, adventurous activities, and commitment to the environment.
A&K Sanctuary (formerly known as Sanctuary Retreats) is the premier portfolio of ultra-luxury safari camps, boutique wilderness lodges, and elegant riverboats owned by the award-winning travel specialist Abercrombie & Kent. Operating around the philosophy of “Luxury, naturally,” the collection delivers authentic boutique experiences seamlessly blended into the world’s most spectacular ecosystems. Focused heavily on conservation and low-impact tourism, the portfolio includes 13 distinct safari properties across Eastern and Southern Africa, alongside luxury river cruise ships exploring the Nile and the Peruvian Amazon.
A&K Sanctuary Retreats Tours & Safaris
Browse through our suggested safaris and tours, many of which include a stay in one of Sanctuary Retreats’ opulent safari camps or lodges, or just get in touch with the Bespoke African Safari Co. Expert for advice on creating the ideal custom itinerary.
The Luxury Safari Portfolio
A&K Sanctuary properties are limited to a small number of suites or tented villas to preserve exclusivity and minimize environmental footprint.
Kenya: Home to Olonana Lodge (perched along the Mara River with views of bathing hippos), Tambarare Camp (tucked into the rhino-rich Ol Pejeta Conservancy), and the architecturally striking new Kitirua Plains Lodge in Amboseli, which yields panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Botswana: Features elite properties in the Okavango Delta, including Chief’s Camp (known for exceptional big-game viewing), Stanley’s Camp, and the completely rebuilt, intimate Baines’ Lodge.
Uganda: Features the immersive Gorilla Forest Lodge, structurally unique for being the only luxury lodge situated inside the actual gates of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking.
Tanzania & Zambia: Includes properties like Kichakani Camp—a mobile luxury tented camp tracking the Great Migration across the Serengeti—and Sussi & Chuma Lodge near Victoria Falls in Zambia.
Kenya Safaris
Kenya is the birthplace of the modern African safari, offering some of the most iconic wildlife spectacles on earth across its 54 national parks and reserves. From the endless savannahs of the Maasai Mara to the elephant-framed views of Mount Kilimanjaro in Amboseli, the country accommodates everything from rugged budget camping to ultra-luxury fly-in expeditions.
Tanzania Safaris
Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s most legendary wildlife sanctuaries, offering incredibly diverse landscapes that span from vast savannahs to deep volcanic craters. The country is famously divided into two distinct regional circuits: the world-renowned Northern Circuit (ideal for first-timers and witnessing the Great Migration) and the wilder, untamed Southern Circuit (perfect for off-the-beaten-path boat and walking safaris).
Zambia Safaris
Zambia is widely celebrated as the birthplace of the modern walking safari, offering an incredibly raw, exclusive, and authentic wilderness experience. Unlike its more crowded neighbors, Zambia features vast uncrowded national parks managed by some of the highest-caliber guides in Africa, making it a dream destination for repeat safari-goers and wildlife enthusiasts looking to get off the beaten track.
Namibia Safaris
Namibia is a safari destination unlike any other in Africa, defined not by lush jungles, but by stark, hauntingly beautiful desert landscapes, towering sand dunes, and uniquely adapted wildlife. It is the ultimate playground for self-drive road trips and fly-in expeditions, offering travelers complete freedom to navigate vast, uncrowded landscapes.
Botswana Safaris
Botswana is Africa’s premier destination for pristine, ultra-exclusive wilderness exploration. By deliberately implementing a high-revenue, low-volume tourism model, the country preserves vast tracts of completely unfenced ecosystems. This approach ensures exceptional, uncrowded wildlife encounters alongside some of the most luxurious eco-lodges on the continent.
Uganda Safaris
Uganda, famously dubbed the “Pearl of Africa” by Winston Churchill, is one of the most ecologically diverse safari destinations on earth. Unlike its neighbours, which focus primarily on open savannahs, Uganda’s unique appeal lies in its dense, prehistoric rainforests. It is the ultimate global capital for primate trekking, sheltering over half of the world’s remaining wild mountain gorillas and an immense population of chimpanzees.
Sanctuary Retreats Properties
Twelve luxurious safari camps and lodges are run by Sanctuary Retreats in Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Namibia, and Zambia. Each Sanctuary Retreats lodging is created to blend in with its particular natural setting, but they all have a commitment to environmental conservation and offer top-notch service, great dining, and – most importantly – a distinctive safari experience.
For help with organizing your ideal vacation, go through the suggestions we’ve provided below or just get in touch with one of our Africa Safari Experts.
Sanctuary Retreats Lodges Reviews
Sanctuary Retreats began in 1999 with the opening of the Sanctuary Olonana Lodge in Kenya, the first of our Sanctuary Lodges. We have recently added Namibia to the list of countries where we own and operate lodges and camps. From our roots in high-end adventure travel, we’ve expanded into managing and operating six of the world’s most stunning river cruise ships, taking passengers to some of the world’s most jaw-dropping cultural and natural destinations. Both the Nile and the Irrawaddy, in Egypt and Myanmar respectively, are visited on our trips.
Great Camp in a Great Location
Client: thetravellingmom1010
Country: Arizona
We traveled to Uganda and Tanzania for 2 weeks. This area, Kusini, was the only one where we were allowed to go “off-road” so if you saw something you wanted to check out, you just drove over to it. Otherwise you must remain on the dirt track roads. For us, this was very fun and special so we are glad we had that opportunity. The Kusini Camp is great – we heard and saw animals everywhere. Woke up every night and thought I heard something outside. Peeked with my flashlight and there were animals munching on the grasses all around our building – how special is that! The food was great too – and they were very careful with my daughters milk allergy which was such an impt part of our being able to enjoy ourselves – not worrying. The staff was so kind and sweet and accommodating. Emmanuel, Mbise, Elias, Rama and the whole team were everywhere taking care of everything. Make sure you have a cocktail by the fire pit or on top of the huge boulder next to the dining hall – great views of the African Sergengeti!
Date of stay: December 2021
Great Migration in January
Client: Aline K
Country: London, United Kingdom
We stayed at Sanctuary Kusini as part of our The Bespoke African Safari Co. trip. Room 8 is the one with a view! In terms of covid, the property was doing their part to keep everybody safe. Staff wore masks, disinfected constantly, and everything, including eating was outdoors. Animals roam the property at night, so you are always escorted by local staff to your rooms. There’s electricity and running water that’ll make you forget you’re in the middle of nowhere! Lastly, the game drives they take you on are the highlight. We had Filbert who clearly knew the lay of the land and the best spots for animal sightings.
Date of stay: January 2021
Room tip: Room 8 had the best view. Others are hidden in the bush.