South African Yoga Retreat and Holiday! 5th – 13th October 2020.

Join me for a once in a lifetime South African yoga retreat celebrating the diversity and beauty that South Africa has to offer, with TWO incredible locations.

This 9 day retreat offers 4 nights at a gorgeous beach house along the Dolphin Coast of Kwa Zulu Natal – (my beautiful home province!) and 4 nights at a luxury bush lodge in the private Amakhosi game reserve set on the banks of the Mkuze river.

Mkuze is a very special place not only because of how beautiful it is and how amazing the game viewing is, but because it’s where I spent much of my childhood growing up – weekend after weekend going on game drives in the bush to spot animals. I’m SO excited to bring you to this incredible part of the world. I’d love for you to join me as it would mean so much to be able to share my home, and this very special place with you! Here’s what you can expect…

You will be greeted at the King Shaka international airport with a warm South African welcome – where you will be transported to the first retreat destination – a gorgeous beach house with rim flow pool overlooking the ocean. Here you can expect yoga twice daily, meditation, breathwork and an opportunity to truly unwind and reconnect back to yourself on the coast of Africa.

Delicious and nutritious healthy breakfasts, lunch and dinners are fully catered with some complimentary South African wine.

YOUR BEACH EXPERIENCE

Whilst staying along the Dolphin coast, will you be able to experience morning sunrise meditations on Sheffield beach (maybe even dip your toe into the warm Indian ocean!) and daily yoga on the deck overlooking the rim flow pool and Indian ocean.

Grab yourself a cuppa from one of the two tea + coffee stations and soak in the South African sun out on the deck. Take a walk along the beach, curl up with your book or simply spend your time Dolphin-watching to recharge.

Included in your stay is a day excursion to Durban – where you can walk along the beach promenade and soak in the vibrancy and heartbeat of “eThekwini” You could start with a Rickshaw ride or a traditional Durban “bunny chow”,  do a bit of shopping for local arts and crafts or explore the city centre – on this day, as you will be exploring, lunch and dinner will be at your own expense.

TRANSFER DAY

After 4 nights of yoga, sea and sun, we will start the day off with our usual morning yoga practice followed by a delicious breakfast. After which we will be transferred to Amakhosi Private Game Reserve. 

You will be given a traditional South African “padkos” (“road-food”) to take with you for lunch and we will make a short stop over en-route to Zamimphilo craft market, where you can browse South African arts and crafts as well as traditional South African woven baskets and carvings.

The highlight of this day is the Wild Elephant interaction  – this 2.5 hour experience is included in the retreat – and you will get the opportunity to get up close with one of the wild Elephants Rambo and Rachel. These Elephants have been habituated and when they are not in the interaction space, they roam freely in the African Bushveld with their guardians walking beside them.

On arriving at Amakhosi you will be welcomed to your room and then settle in with a gorgeous evening yoga session in the middle of the bush.

YOUR BUSH EXPERIENCE

The African bushveld is something incredibly unique. Being out completely and deeply in nature in this way is one of the most resetting things for the nervous system. This bush experience will give you exactly that – an entire nervous system reset.

Amakhosi hospitality ensures that you will be warmly welcomed with friendly smiles and excellent service as you settle into this once in a lifetime Bushveld experience.

Along with early morning yoga sessions you will also be taken on a daily game drive with a professional tracker and guide out into the African bush. The guides are incredibly knowledgable and will be able to share their wisdom and insights on creatures and plants big and small.

Amakhosi is part of a “BIG FIVE” game reserve – which means we would HOPE to see Lion, Elephant, Buffalo, Rhino and Leopard (among other smaller game). Please note: that the yoga sessions and game drives will be fluid on when they take place – in the event that trackers find leopards in the night and want to take us there first thing in the morning- in which case we will do an evening yoga session instead!!

Evenings at Amakhosi centre on the five star plated bush dinners, paired with South African wine and chatting around the fire pit as you take in the African bush sounds, fireflies and stars. 

If you would like to treat yourself to an indulgent Spa treatment – Amakhosi offers a range of Spa treatments which take place on the Spa deck with Panaramic views overlooking the Mkuze river. Imagine being massaged whilst a herd of zebra quietly graze nearby! (Spa treatments are at your own expense if you would like them.)

If you are not being pampered at the Spa, you could sprawl out at the rock pool, read your book in the library, or indulge in the high-tea spread.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• 4 nights accommodation at the Beach House 150m from the beach
• 4 nights accommodation at the luxury Amakhosi Game lodge
• Daily morning yoga and meditation practice
• Some additional evening/afternoon yoga practices
• Delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. (At Amakhosi this will include a high tea spread in place of a lunch) 
• Tea, coffees and soft drinks
• Complimentary South African wine (At the beach house this is 1 bottle of red and 1 bottle of white per person, at Amakhosi South African wine is paired with your meals)
• Day excursion transfer to Durban and back whilst at Beach House.
• Transfer from Beach House to Amakhosi lodge.
• Packed lunch “padkos” for transfer day
• Stop over at the Zamimpilo craft market
• Amazing 2.5 hour Wild Elephant experience.
• Daily conservation levys for entering the National Game Reserve
• All game drives with professional Game Rangers (daily) inside Amakhosi lodge
• Transfer from Amakhosi Lodge back to King Shaka Airport.

NOT INCLUDED

• Flights to/from South Africa
• 1 Lunch and 1 dinner on Durban excursion day, (budget around £8 – £10 per main if you intend to eat at a restaurant, less if you intend to grab smoothies/snacks.)
• Any Spa treatments at Amakhosi
• Tips for Game Ranger/guides, if you wish
• Any personal shopping you wish to do

PRICING

Early bird pricing until March 31st:
£1395 per person sharing.

After March 31st:
£1550 per person sharing.

To reserve your space £295 deposit is required 

Payment plans are available, balance of payment is due before 5th July 2020. Bookings made after this time will be invoiced for the full amount.

If you would like a private room please get in touch with me for private supplement rates.

If you are interested in booking, please contact me via the contact link or by emailing che.strawberries@gmail.com and I will send you further T&Cs, deposit info and most importantly, what to pack!

See you in Africa!

xx