Sanctuary Retreats: Location, Location, Location

The luxury portfolio of 17 premier bush hideaways is famed for its unrivaled game-viewing locations in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Not only are these locations specially selected for their outstanding wildlife observation but “they are also designed to melt into their unique surroundings, integrating effortlessly into their breath-taking environment, with an ethos sympathetic to the majesty of nature around them,”said Sanctuary Retreats'Global Sales & Marketing Director, Pieter van der Schee.

For these exceptional attributes, Sanctuary Retreats is not surprisingly consistently ranked among Africa's premier safari resorts – each applauded with the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence awards in 2015.

For a flavor of the once-in-a-lifetime experiences awaiting adventurous travelers, here are just six of the luxury safari brand's unique camps, representing each of the six countries where Sanctuary Retreats are present:

Sanctuary Chief's Camp Botswana (pictured)

Sanctuary Chief's Camp is on Chief's Island in the exclusive Mombo Concession of the famous Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, an area known as the 'predator capital' of Africa. With an amazing outlook over the surrounding waters of the Okavango Delta, it was voted among Africa's top 10 safari camps in the latest Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards.

Reflecting its international prestige, Sanctuary Chief's is being extensively refurbished in a ‘safari chic' style. Work begins on this in January, extending its 12 thatched-roof pavilions from 51 to 141 sqm, becoming the largest and most luxurious in the reserve when they re-open in the summer of 2016.

Each will include a private dining area, terrace plunge pool and tranquil viewing deck with hammocks for viewing elephants, giraffes, buffalo and other wildlife by day and majestic starry African skies by night. The refurbishment also includes a newly designed bar and library, pizza deck, gym, kids play room and orientation study room to learn more about the Okavango Delta before going on jeep game drives to encounter the Big Five, and riding amokoro dugout canoe to spot wildlife from the water.

Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp - Zambia South Luangwa

Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp is famed as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world due to its intense concentration of game, birdlife and plant life, and consistently named one of the top five places in Africa to see leopards. This stylish tented camp is perched on a remote escarpment and is named after the Puku antelope that graze on the floodplain below, over which it has superb panoramic views. With just seven luxury tents with private decks and secluded outdoor showers, the camp is designed to leave no trace on the environment and offers an authentic walking safari experience.

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp - Uganda

Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp is one of the most remote and atmospheric camps in Africa, deep inside Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a World Heritage Site home to mountain gorillas. With eight stylish and spacious tents, it is the only luxury camp within the forest, often visited by curious gorilla families due to its unique location.

Sanctuary Olonana - Kenya

Sanctuary Olonana is a tented camp in a private concession bordering the Masai Mara, overlooking the Mara River, with a pool and mini spa. There is a high concentration of game around the camp – and during the great annual game migration it is ideally placed to enjoy the action. Sanctuary Olonana has strong community and environmental values, holding close relationships with the local Maasai tribes and conservation projects - including the chef's organic garden. Sanctuary Olonana in Kenya has been admitted to the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame in recognition for earning the Certificate of Excellence for five consecutive years.Sanctuary Olonana also won the World Travel Award for Africa's Leading Eco-Lodge 2015.

Sanctuary Kusini - Tanzania

Sanctuary Kusini is in the southern part of the Serengeti, ideally placed to witness the great migration from mid-December to the end of the March. One of the highlights is the calving season, when newborn zebra and wildebeest calves arrive. The park is also noted for its lions, cheetahs and leopards. Guests can contribute to the ‘Cheetah Watch' project in the region. The 12 double luxury tents have amazing views from the rocky outcrop, or kopje, around which it is set. With a location completely devoid of ambient light, the kopje also offers the chance for cosmic safaris at night.

Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge

South Africa is the newest addition to the portfolio of luxury camps and lodges, in the Madikwe Game Reserve, one of South Africa's premier game-viewing destinations. Eight glass fronted, air-conditioned suites hidden in lush riverside forest are dramatically located on the edge of a ravine overlooking a waterhole frequently visited by game. Named after the African wild dog which roams the surrounding landscape, the first South African destination for a luxury safari with Sanctuary Retreats is designed for minimal environmental impact. Constructed from local stone, wood and thatch, with a spacious lounge and dining area opening onto a wide wooden outdoor observation deck. The reserve is home to the ‘Big Five', as well as the rare African wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, hyena and over 360 bird species.

Visit website: https://www.sanctuaryretreats.com/