Description

8 Day African Yoga Safari Retreat

8 days of Yoga, Wildlife and Adventure while camping true African-style in already set up tents in nature. We will visit Namibia’s Greatest Wildlife Park, the Etosha National Park for incredible game viewing before heading to Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most scenic areas. Adventurous days awaits us at the German influenced coastal town of Swakopmund.

Mornings are set to begin with a yoga practice out in nature while the remainder of the day will be spent on guided excursions, relaxation or optional extra activities. As the days draw to a close, you will find yourself back in nature for an afternoon yoga practice before a healthy dinner under the starlit skies.

Namibia, a country that feeds your soul! Bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Angola, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa, it has something exciting to do for everyone. Whether you love animals, birds, nature, the ocean, the desert or extreme sports, it’s got it all.

Travelling through Namibia awakens your emotions and senses – colours become brighter, smells more intense and you taste more appreciative. Your sixth sense finds its mystical home and above all, you feel re-connected with your soul!

Namibia, nicknamed the Gem of Africa, got its name from the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world and one of the highest sand dunes in the world. Namibia boasts remarkable natural attractions such as the Namib Desert, Etosha National Park, Fish River Canyon Park and the Kalahari Desert. Its majestic landscape and natural environment offers a unique flora and fauna population with an abundant variety of wildlife.

The Etosha National Park is Namibia’s greatest Wildlife sanctuary, situated in the Northern part of the country. It has exceptional wildlife including black Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok and Eland. The park is home to 114 species of mammals, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species and 16 amphibian species which make game viewing in Etosha a unique experience.

Damaraland is a World heritage site comprising of ancient rock engravings, Organ pipes, Burnt Mountains and a Petrified Forest. It is also the most famous rock art concentration in Africa featuring more than 5000 petroglyphs and 200 rock paintings. Take in one of the most spectacular sunsets you will encounter before a meditation session up on the Mountain.

Swakopmund has a laid back feel to it with palm trees, good restaurants and gift shops. For the more adventurous, there are a variety of extreme sports, from skydiving, quad biking, fat wheel biking, ocean safaris, dune boarding and surfing.

Retreat schedule

Most mornings will start with a yoga flow out in nature followed by a healthy breakfast and an activity. After lunch you can either relax or join an optional activity. We will meet again for an afternoon yoga session followed by dinner.

Day 1 – Windhoek – Urban Camp
On arrival at Urban camp, relax at the pool or explore the city before a much needed sunset meditation flow before dinner. Your firsts nights accommodation is a tent with 2 single beds in the heart of Windhoek, warming blanket in winter and cooling fan in summer.

Day 2-4- Etosha National Park – Etosha Village Campsite
Namibia’s greatest Wildlife sanctuary, the Etosha National Park is situated in the Northern part of the country. It has exceptional wildlife including black Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok and Eland. The park is home to 114 species of mammals, 340 bird species, 110 reptile species and 16 amphibian species which make game viewing in Etosha a unique experience.

Day 5 – Damaraland – Madisa Camp
Drive through one of Namibia’s most scenic areas to Twyfelfontein before settling into your tented accommodation. This World heritage site comprises of ancient rock engravings, Organ pipes, Burnt Mountains and a Petrified Forest. It is also the most famous rock art concentration in Africa featuring more than 5000 petroglyphs and 200 rock paintings. Take in one of the most spectacular sunsets you will encounter before a meditation session up on the Mountain.

Day 6 & 7 – Swakopmund – Driftwood Guesthouse
Swakopmund has a laid back feel to it with palm trees, good restaurants and gift shops. For the more adventurous, there are a variety of extreme sports, from skydiving, quad biking, fat wheel biking, ocean safaris, dune boarding and surfing.

Teacher

MARCEL VOSLOO – Owner and organiser 

I grew up in Namibia where I had countless opportunities to experience nature in its purest form. Exposure to diverse cultures and the many adventures was the fuel to my passion, thirst for knowledge of other cultures and the global community.

A career as a diving instructor took me to many exotic locations, the ocean inspired my imagination and brought joy to my soul, it is here that I was passionately drawn into the art of yoga.

I have since had the privilege of sharing diving and yoga with people in amazing places such as the Bahamas, Europe, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, Thailand and the United States of America. After 15 years of travelling and working abroad, I returned to Namibia to start Namaste Yoga Safari and also worked as a Travel Consultant to learn more about Namibian Tourism.

I offer various yoga retreats in Namibia at different locations and venues, ranging from wildlife retreats to adventurous retreats visiting Namibias top locations, camping true African-style in already set up tents, yoga hiking retreats and luxury yoga retreats.

On the retreats you can expect 2 daily yoga sessions with one or 2 days where yoga will only be in the afternoon due to morning activities. Sessions in the afternoon will be longer on these days.

All sessions are held out in nature and welcoming beginners to advanced. If you haven’t done yoga before, this will be a great opportunity for you as most of my classes are based on mindfulness, taking what you have learned from being on the mat and being one with nature, into your daily lives.

It is the perfect Safari where you have the opportunity to connect with nature, relax and see plenty of wildlife while immersing yourself in daily yoga and meditation.

I am qualified with 200Hr Ashtanga Yoga Alliance YTT with YoYoga in Mozambique and teacher 
Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yin, Hatha, Pranayama and meditation.

Cuisine

We will be staying at four different camps/venues therefore the food will be different at each place. All breakfasts do consist out of healthy buffet spreads, lunches are a la carte and dinners are buffets and menus. Vegan and vegetarian options available.

Retreat accommodation options

Urban Camp
Urban Camp is a centrally located comfortable camping ground situated in the heart of Windhoek. It is the perfect get away with all the convenience of being in town. Big shady trees, Wi-Fi internet, nice bathrooms and a sparkling pool. It is a mere 5 min walk to the legendary Joe’s Beerhouse or a good Portuguese restaurant.

Etosha Village
Prime destination for nature lovers combined with excellent service and cuisine! Etosha Village uniquely delivers the perfect safari style experience in a private and protected reserve directly adjacent to the Etosha National Park, near Okaukuejo.

At Etosha Village nature and luxury are in perfect harmony through design and comfort. Besides the 45 accommodation units and camping facilities, Etosha Village has three restaurant seating areas, a sparkling pool plus two smaller pools.

Madisa Camp is situated on the D2612 road to Twyfelfontein, a very popular route. The camp is hidden between amazing rock formations which are scattered with Bushman Paintings and has privy to an ancient Desert Elephant route that often gets visited by these beautiful giants.

Ideal for the traveler who wishes to camp comfortably without compromising the experience of exclusivity in this vast and magnificent area of Damaraland Namibia.

Madisa is a good base camp to explore from as there are very interesting sites in the area such as Twyfelfontein, Brandberg, the Petrified Forest and much more these are all an easy drive and after a day of exploring what better to finish with a swim and enjoy your campsite under a blanket of stars.

The swimming pool and bar area are very welcoming after a long day and give you a chance to rejuvenate and enjoy your surroundings. It’s also nice to meet fellow travellers and share tails around a communal camp fire at night while the sky puts on a breath-taking show of stars.

Madisa Safari Tents
Madisa Safari Tents are built cleverly and as eco-friendly as possible around scenic boulder formations each with their own en-suite rock bathroom consisting of a basin, shower and toilet. The tents sleep a max of two people and offer twin beds or a double bed. Hot water is available at night (solar system) and there are paraffin/solar lighting in the tent and bathroom area.

Driftwood Guesthouse
Spacious, personal, tranquil and unique are words best suited to describe Driftwood Guesthouse. Situated a 30 minutes’ walk along the beach, using the garden walking routes, to the centre of town and a stone’s throw from the beach. Driftwood is perfect for families, solo travellers, and small groups who want to get the true Swakopmund experience but escape the hustle and bustle of staying in the town centre.

The guesthouse is 200 meters from a beautiful beach, so be sure to grab the free umbrella and beach towels at reception if you want to spend a day there. The beach is undisturbed so don’t be surprised if you have it all to yourself. Swakopmund boasts some of the best restaurants in Namibia, one of which is on our doorstep – the famous Wurstbude restaurant and bar. Other great restaurants are located a 15 minutes’ walk or 5 minutes’ drive away.

Driftwood Guesthouse has 8 en-suite rooms, 4 Sea View Rooms are located on the top floor and 4 Garden View Rooms are located on the ground floor. Driftwood as the name suggests, is furnished with unique driftwood pieces that was specially made for us by a team of local carpenters. Each room has been lovingly decorated with weathered driftwood headboards and bases, complimented by crisp white sheeting.

All rooms boast unlimited access to high-speed Wi-Fi, a TV with satellite, a bar fridge, hairdryer, a wall-mounted safe, coffee/tea station, complimentary water and port, plus a small verandah with chairs.

Retreat Price

Prices are in Euros

Private Tents/Room
Price €1,700 per person

Shared Tents/Room
Price €1,550 per person

Includes

• 1x Private yoga teacher/host
• Professional guides at all the venues
• Daily yoga and meditation
• 5 nights accommodation in set up tents
• 2 nights accommodation in a bed and breakfast
• All breakfasts
• Dinners at Etosha Village
• 2 x Still waters per day
• 2 x Game Drives to Etosha National Park
• Live African music
• Road transport
• Passenger liability insurance
• 2x Airport Transfers
• Park fees
• VAT & Tourism Levy
• Welcoming gift

Does not include

• Travel insurance
• International flight tickets
• Gratuity
• Laundry
• All lunches
• Dinners in Windhoek and Swakopmund
• All drinks and alcoholic beverages
• All optional extra activities

What to pack

• Comfortable lightweight clothing, sweater or jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Sunblock, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Toiletries (some will be supplied)
• Yoga mat (will also be supplied if you don’t have one)
• Camera
• For electrical small appliances or chargers, a conversion plug to a three-pin type outlet

Does not include

• Flight tickets
• Insurance
• Guide tips

What to pack

Sweater/Jacket for cool evenings
Lightweight clothing for warmer days
Closed shoes for hiking/walking
Sandals/open shoes
Sun Protection
Sunglasses
Swimwear
Toiletries
Yoga mat (Yoga Mats are available)
Camera
For electrical small appliances or chargers, a conversion plug to a three-pin type outlet is required

How to get here

Please book your flight to arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport no later than 10am on the first day.

– Daily flights to Hosea Kutako International Airport Windhoek
– National airline is Air Namibia.
– British Airways, South African Airways, Air Berlin, Condo, KLM, Qatar Airways and TAAG fly to Namibia.
– Most international airlines fly to South Africa with good connecting flights to Namibia

Booking

To make an enquiry or book this African Yoga Safari retreat, send your request to the team who will get back to you within 24 hours or email us directly on [email protected].

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