Sanctuary Retreats to expand in Africa

Okahirongo River Camp and Okahirongo Elephant Lodge will join the brand’s collection of lodges and camps in Africa, bringing the total number to 14 alongside properties in Botswana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Kenya; there are also riverboats in Egypt, China and Myanmar.

Okahirongo River Camp is in Marienfluss, a remote region in north-west Namibia, bordered by the country’s Skeleton Coast and the Kunene River.

There are five tents plus a two-room family tent and a main lodge, with solar-powered Okahirongo River Camp described as an “earth-conscious tented river camp”.

Wildlife trips on the river on a pontoon boat or walking safaris are on offer, along with scenic drives to the Moon Valley and the rare opportunity to visit an authentic Himba village and meet these indigenous desert people. 

The second property, Okahirongo Elephant Lodge, is inside Puros Conservancy in the deserted Kaokoland region, 55km from the Skeleton Coast and described as one of the last truly wild areas in the region.

There are seven suites and a private family suite – home to two bedrooms, two bathrooms, private terrace and an open lounge – at the camp, with a main lodge and an infinity pool sitting on the banks of the Hoarusib River.

Experiences here include game drives with expert Himba guides to spot desert elephants, lions and giraffes and along with gemsbok, springbok, steenbok and kudu and exotic bird species, with tracking black rhino on foot also an option.

Also coming soon in Kenya is Sanctuary Tambarare, a new camp set to open 1 June at the 90,000-acre Ol Pejeta Conservancy.