Zimbabwe Conservation Retreat:
Join us in August 2024 for the first Zimbabwe Yoga For The Wild retreat. We will head to Mana Pools on the Zimbabwe / Zambia border near the iconic Victoria Falls. We will encounter diverse wildlife and learn about the conservation efforts happening with Bushlife Safaris. Expect unlimited game drives, wildlife interaction, conservation education, a meeting with the founder of Bushlife Safaris, Nick Murray, and enjoy twice daily yoga classes in the bush with your hosts, Kat & Laura.
All proceeds from these retreats go to The Bushlife Painted Wolf Conservancy.
Saturday August 17th – Friday August 23rd, 2024
Overview:
Our 7-night trip begins with two nights in Victoria Falls. We’ll have a tour of the falls and a moonlit cruise dinner on the Zambezi river before we fly to Mana Pools National Park. Vundu Camp in Mana Pools lies right on the river banks and we’ll enjoy yoga on the deck with grumbling hippos, lazy crocodiles and whooping fish eagles before embarking on boat, walking and vehicle-based safari activities each day.
CONSERVATION FOCUS: This retreat is in partnership with Bushlife Conservancy and Bushlife Painted Wolf Conservancy. We’ll learn more about the incredible work Nick and Desiree Murray are doing through their organization to preserve this incredible wilderness area and create a safe space for African wild dogs to thrive. Proceeds from this retreat go towards the Bushlife Conservancy.
Accomodations:
Victoria Falls:
BATONKA GUEST HOUSE (2 nights)
A short distance from the hustle and bustle of Victoria Falls town lies a quiet oasis called Batonka Guest House, where we will be based for the first two nights of our trip.
The comfortable, spacious rooms offer all the comforts needed to unwind after your travels and main areas include a lounge, pool and restaurant.
Mana Pools:
VUNDU CAMP (5 nights)
Vundu Camp lies in central Mana Pools in a private concession and all the rooms and main areas enjoy rooms over the Zambezi River. Eight spacious, thatched cottages have ensuite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers and a private terrace to kick back and watch the passing wildlife.
An open air living and dining room are where our yoga classes will commence each morning and afternoon and all dietary requirements are catered for.
The Cost:
Space on this retreat is limited to 14 people so it’s vital that you waste no time in securing your spot! You can choose from a shared twin or double bed room if you’re travelling with a partner.
COST IN USD:
(early bird prices below are applicable until 1st August 2023)
$5,800 Per Person (Sharing A Twin Room) / $6,300 on or after 1st Aug 2023
Registration is now open. Upon receiving your email to request booking this retreat a link to make your deposit payment of $1,000 will be requested to secure your spot. Payments can be made in USD, GBP or EUR, please indicate your preferred currency on your email.
Your deposit is fully refundable until 6 months prior to travel. Click here for full T's & C's.
Meet your teachers:
Kat MacLeod is a UK-based yoga teacher and wellness educator who’s teaching is founded in Baptiste yoga principles. She teaches Power Yoga, Yin Yoga and specialises in Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga. Zimbabwean born and having lived in Kenya for 12 years caring for wilderness areas and the wildlife that call these places home is in Kat’s blood and she is avid and active conservationist. When she’s not on a yoga mat you’ll find Kat organizing retreats all over the globe, enjoying a gin and tonic (or three) and watching the sunset or simply engrossed in a good historical fiction novel.
Laura Messer is a yoga teacher in Greenville, South Carolina. Her teaching style is the embodiment of beauty, simplicity and clarity as she weaves together Vinyasa classes that are have strong roots in her history as a ballerina. Her love of movement fused with her love of wildlife when she visited Kenya in 2018 with her husband whilst celebrating an anniversary. She sought use yoga as a tool for conservation awareness, hence her company Zen Mission Yoga was born. She mostly teaches private lessons because she loves to adapt and modify the practice to the specific needs of her clients. As well as being a talented dancer, yoga teacher, business owner and conservationist Laura also loves traveling and listening to all kinds of music, although the radio is usually set to the Jam On or 80's channel.
The Details:
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation: 2 nights at Batonka Guest Lodge (bed and breakfast) + 5 nights at Vundu Camp
Meals: breakfast at Batonka, lunch at Lookout Cafe, dinner on the Zambezi cruise and all meals on safari in Mana Pools
Drinks: water, tea and coffee at Batonka and a selection of white and red wines and spirits, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee and drinking water on the cruise and at Vundu Camp
Activities: all activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Transfers: all transfers as outlined in the itinerary including flights too/from Mana Pools
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International flights and any other travel not outlined in the itinerary
Additional meals in Victoria Falls and drinks in Victoria Falls
Any additional activities not mentioned
Travel Insurance (required) eg. World Nomad
Other important travel information:
VISAS & VACCINATIONS: You’ll purchase your visa on arrival in Zimbabwe. Please contact us for a letter of invitation to secure your visa on arrival. Currently Zimbabwean visas cost USD50 and must be paid in USD cash at the exact amount.
TRAVEL INSURANCE: You are required to ensure that you have fully comprehensive travel insurance ahead of your trip. Your insurance details will be required before the trip commences.
