- Happy World Wildlife Day! -

At Sanctuary Retreats we are lucky enough to have properties in some of the most beautiful and diverse areas on the planet. For example, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is a labyrinth of lily filled lagoons and waterways, dispersed between extensive grassy plains and sandy pockets of land. Some 164 species of mammal, 157 species of reptile and 540 species of bird regard this unique pocket of Africa as home. Similarly, the Serengeti’s vast plains comprised 1.5 million hectares of savannah, are home to four globally threatened species: black rhinoceros, elephant, wild dog and cheetah. Annually, two million wildebeest, gazelle and zebra hurtle across these lands during the Great Migration searching for fresh pastures.

All six of the countries where our stunning camps and lodges are located offer unique safari experiences, dependent on the landscape, range of wildlife and communities in which they are set.

Discover one special wildlife experience in each country below…

Observe cheetahs in Tanzania

Guests staying at Sanctuary Kusini, set in the heart of the Serengeti, have the opportunity to give back by participating in the Serengeti Cheetah Project. This project helps to monitor the 50-80 cheetah in the area, one of the last remaining natural ecosystems where cheetah exist in viable numbers. There are dedicated game drives at Sanctuary Kusini with the specific purpose of finding and identifying cheetah. Once spotted, guests are encouraged to photograph the cheetah and share their sightings with the research team.

Discover the two remaining white rhinos in Kenya

Sanctuary Tambarare, meaning 'plains' in Swahili, looks out across the grassy plateau of the award-winning Ol Pejeta Conservancy, 90,000 acres of unspoilt African landscape, where the Big Five roam, including the last two northern white rhinos on earth. At this camp, due to open in July 2020, guests will be able to see the last two northern white rhinos on earth and hear their incredible story. This is an extremely rare experience not be missed.

Track incredible gorillas in Uganda 

Located within Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is the perfect base from which to track the mountain gorilla. Many of the expert guides have been involved in this process since the beginning and are able to explain the complicated etiquette involved in meeting a giant silverback. This is an incredibly rare once in a lifetime experience that guests will never forget.

Track the elusive wild dog in South Africa 

Sanctuary Makanyane is located in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe is the one of the best places in Southern Africa to watch the elusive and rare wild dog, a fascinating species on the brink of extinction. Travelling through Makanyane’s completely private 1,800 hectares and the 75,000 hectares of the magnificent Madikwe Game Reserve, your guide will share their wealth of knowledge, including the intricacies of the wild dog’s social system.

Walk with elephants in Botswana 

Botswana is home to Sanctuary Baines’ Camp and Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp. Here guests can participate in the Living with Elephants activity. The Living with Elephants Foundation is devoted to providing rescued African elephants with a second chance and safe home. Currently under care are Jabu and Morula, two rescued elephants, saved from culling operations which meant that they were orphaned. Low volumes of visitors to Sanctuary Retreats are given the rare opportunity to visit Jabu and Morula in the heart of the Okavango Delta. During their walk with the elephants, guests witness private moments as they forage, mud wallow and amble through the bush. This is an intimate and highly educational bush walk where you will learn about the status of the African elephant, their role in the eco-system and conservation in general.

Spot incredible bird life in Zambia 

Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma is built on a dramatic bend of the Zambezi River in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, twelve kilometres upstream from the world-famous Victoria Falls. At this picturesque lodge guests will encounter a vast range of wildlife including the elephant, impala, giraffe, buffalo, hippo, crocodile and zebra. However, a unique feature to this amazing property is the diversity of its birdlife, guests can expect to observe many exceptionally beautiful birds including some Southern African specials like Peters Finfoot and Pied kingfisher.