Description

Reconnect with your soul as you enter a world of free roaming wildlife and move with your breath as you listen to the sounds of nature amongst majestic landscapes on our 8 day Yoga, Wildlife & Adventure retreat.

Welcome to Namibia. Namibia awakens your emotions and senses – colours become brighter, smells more intense and your taste more appreciative.

Drive through Damaraland, one of Namibia’s most scenic areas and take in spectacular sunsets before adventurous days at the coast in Swakopmund.

We will spend three nights at a beautiful lodge close to Namibia’s Greatest wildlife sanctuary – Etosha National Park. Game drives to the park will be with experienced guides in open air safari converted vehicles. Numerous waterholes are found throughout the park and these provide the much-needed water to the animals.

The park is home to 114 species of mammals (including Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok, Eland), 340 bird species and 110 reptile species which make game viewing in Etosha a unique experience.

If the game viewing itself is not impressive enough, the Etosha Pan definitely is, as it is even visible from space. Morning and afternoon yoga sessions will be held on an outdoor yoga deck amongst nature.

After our wildlife experiences, we move to the coast for adventurous days in Swakopmund. With German Colonial Architecture, palm trees, good restaurants and gift shops, it has a laid back feel to it.

For the more adventurous, there are a variety of extreme sports from skydiving, quad biking, fat wheel biking, ocean safaris, dune boarding and surfing. Our yoga sessions will be held in the Desert and along the Ocean.

What better way to end this retreat, than with more wildlife and relaxation at Gocheganas Nature Reserve. With 25 different wildlife species, game drives and walking activities are welcomed as an enriching experience. Wellness facilities and treatments of a world class standard ensure a renewal of mind, body and spirit.

Yoga Experience

Each day is set to begin with a morning yoga practice out in nature combining vinyasa flows, meditation and breathing techniques to energise you for the day ahead. What better place to find yourself at sunrise? The picture-perfect settings will give you the feeling as though time is standing still and you will almost certainly be able to hear the landscapes whispering rejuvenation into your soul as the world awakes.

The remainder of the mornings, after breakfast, will be spent on an excursion specific to the area, a chance to really get to see the country and what makes it so unique. On return from the activity, lunch will be served and then some time to relax and enjoy the “holiday” part of this adventure or head off for another afternoon in the wilderness on a guided activity (optional) as offered by the lodges.

As the days draw to a close, you will find yourself back in nature for an afternoon yoga practice at sunset. An incredible way to end the day and quiet your mind before dinner under the Namibian starlit skies.

Please note: Due to a few activities needing to take place early in the morning, there will be a longer afternoon yoga session.

Retreat schedule

Day 1 – 3

Venue: Etosha Village

Location: Etosha

Accommodation: Twin rooms

Included: All meals

Activities: yoga, meditation, 2x game drives, one sunset dinner at neighbouring lodge followed by live African music

Day 1: On arrival at Windhoek International Airport, you will be met and the Journey to Etosha National Park will begin. If you arrived a day or so before, we will pick you up at your B&B.

From Windhoek it’s a 4 hour drive, the perfect time for an introduction to what the week has in store while enjoying majestic landscapes and the unique environment of flora and fauna.

After lunch and settling into your accommodation, we will meet for a sunset yoga session followed by a mouth-watering dinner under the African sky. Get a good night’s sleep as tomorrow calls for an early start for a game drive to Etosha National Park.

Day 2: After a healthy breakfast we will meet with an experienced guide that will take us to Etosha National Park. It is home to hundreds of species of mammals, birds and reptiles, including several threatened and endangered species. Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Hyena, Zebra, Springbok, Kudu, Gemsbok and Eland are common in the park which make game viewing in Etosha a unique experience.

Returning to Etosha Village for lunch, relax for the rest of the day before meeting for an early afternoon yoga session, followed by a buffet dinner. The yoga session will be longer due to not having yoga this morning.

Day 3: After a calming yoga practice and breakfast, we will head to Etosha National Park for yet another amazing game viewing experience. Numerous waterholes are found throughout the park and these provide the much-needed water to the animals.

Relax for the rest of day. Perhaps go for a nature walk, read a book or soak up the sun at one of the swimming pools. No yoga this afternoon as we will be heading to the neighbouring lodge for an amazing sunset, dinner on their outdoor lapa and live African music.

About Etosha Village

Etosha Village is 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 as well as a well-stocked utility, curio shop and of course…the outdoor yoga deck!

The individual luxurious units offer a spacious air-conditioned bedroom and a modern ensuite bathroom with shower. The patio and outside seating area create an ideal space to sit back, relax and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you

Food at Etosha Village

Etosha Village is well known for inspiring cuisine and many guests have claimed that it is the best buffet dinner experience in Namibia!

Breakfast: You can start your day with a scrumptious buffet breakfast with an extensive selection of all the favourite delectable breakfast foods and treats.

Lunch: Served a’ la carte with loads of mouth-watering dishes to choose from, but we will also have lunches at nearby lodges.

Dinner: The popular buffet dinner will leave you spoiled for choice between the salads, side dishes, grilled meats and stir-fries – all prepared fresh and in front of every guest! For the perfect ending there is a range of decadent dessert sensations as well as a variety of cheeses and biscuits.

DAYS 4/5 & 6

Venue: Desert Breeze Lodge

Location: Swakopmund

Included: Breakfast, yoga, meditation

Not included: Optional activities, lunch and dinner

Optional Activities: Living Desert Tour, Fat Wheel Biking, Quad biking, Dune boarding,  Ocean Safaris, Kayaking with seals, Horse riding, Camel riding, Surfing, Scenic Flights

DAY 4: An early rise for yoga as the sun starts creeping up over the horizon. A time to reflect, breathe and simply take in the peacefulness of all that surrounds you. It is then time for breakfast before heading to the picturesque coastal town of Swakopmund – where the ocean meets the desert. The driving time is around 4 hours, somewhat meditative with forever changing landscapes.

Once in Swakopmund, we will enjoy sunset yoga with spectacular views of the Namib dunes followed by a German cuisine dinner.

DAY 5: After a healthy breakfast you will surely be ready for a fun filled day in Swakopmund. You can choose between a variety of adventurous excursions (optional), from quad biking, fat wheel biking, ocean safaris, dune boarding, horse riding, camel riding, kayaking or surfing. If you would like to observe your surroundings from above, you could even try skydiving or a scenic flight.

After lunch you can either relax or explore this cute little German town. Sunset yoga will be on the beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Namib Desert followed by your choice of restaurant.

Swakopmund, especially out of season, can feel like a holiday town along Germany’s North Sea and Baltic coasts transplanted onto African soil.

It has 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.

DAY 6: Waking up to another beautiful day at the coast. After our morning yoga session you can choose to go an another activity, relax or stroll around the streets of Swakopmund for some curio shopping. Dinner will be at your choice of restaurant.

If you want to visit Sossusvlei in the South, we recommend to book the half day scenic flight to Sossusvlei. The flight departs early morning from Swakopmund, about a 2 hour flight. Once you get to Sossusvlei Lodge, you will have breakfast and head into the Park with a Game drive vehicle and explore the surrounding area, including the iconic Deadvlei.

At lunch you will be back at the Lodge, then fly back to Swakopmund. Rates will depend on the amount of guests in the aircraft. From: NAD5000 per person.

Desert Breeze

Stay in Luxury and Style – In its prime position above the ephemeral Swakop River overlooking a vast and sensuous apricot dune sea, Desert Breeze offers the ultimate desert experience. A short drive from central Swakopmund, its spectacular location provides peace and tranquility away from the bustling town, and the privilege of savouring the ancient Namib Desert.

Surrounded by the colourful and unique architecture contrasting but yet fitting in with the desert landscape, it will sooth any soul. The luxury bungalows with their creative atmosphere and the friendly staff will make your stay one to remember.

Breakfast will be at Desert Breeze, lunch and dinner at one of Swakopmund’s many cafes’s and restaurants.

DAY 7:

Venue: Gocheganas Nature Reserve and Wellness Center

Location: Windhoek surrounds

Accommodation: Luxury twin / double rooms

Included: Breakfast, dinner, yoga, meditation

Optional activities: Guided nature trails, game drives, SPA treatments

After yoga, we will have breakfast and make our way to Gocheganas Private Nature Reserve where you can treat yourself at the Spa, relax at the pool or go on an optional afternoon game drive. The drive is about 4 hours and we should arrive around lunch time.

Admire 25 different large game species roaming the 6000 hectare Nature Reserve, including Rhino, Bat-eared Fox, Giraffe, Mountain- and Plains Zebra, Cheetah, jackal and Leopard, Blue- and Black Wildebeest, Eland, Oryx, Red Hartebeest, Kudu, Springbok, Waterbuck, Steenbok, Duiker, Klipspringer, Ostrich and Warthog. A fascinating variety of birds are spread over the Reserve and can be spotted at the Wellness Village, as well as at the surrounding water places. Enjoy your last dinner surrounded by the sounds and beauty of nature.

DAY 8: Our last sunrise yoga overlooking the stunning scenery that Gocheganas offers. Depending on flight departure times, you can either relax after breakfast or go curio shopping in Windhoek. Not only will it be a memorable drive back to the airport, but an unforgettable trip never to be forgotten…

The GocheGanas Wellness Village

The GocheGanas Wellness Village boasts a top of the range selection of wellness treatments, products and services. Their facilities include eleven treatment rooms with state of the art equipment such as a crystal bath, hydrotherapy bath, a vichy shower etc, as well as a heated indoor pool, a cave sauna in a cathedral like masonry vault, a well-equipped fitness gym, fruit and juice bar.

All rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, a mini bar and outdoor showers.

Teachers

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

All breakfasts will be buffets with a variety of healthy options to choose from. Lunches will be a la carte and dinners will be a mixture between buffets and a la carte. All meals are included at the lodges, expect for Swakopmund as there are so many wonderful restaurants and cafes to choose from and all their prices are different. Catering for vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.

Retreat Price

Prices are in Euros

Shared Luxury Room: € 2,850 p/p
Private Luxury Room: € 3200 p/p

Includes

• 1x Private yoga teacher / host
• Professional guides for all Excursions
• Daily yoga
• 7 nights accommodation at 3 different venues
• All meals at Etosha Village
• Breakfast at Desert Breeze in Swakopmund
• All meals at Gocheganas
• 2x Still waters per day
• 2x Guided game drives to Etosha National Park
• 1x Sunset dinner at neighboring lodge, followed by Live African music. Excluding drinks
• Road transport and 2x airport transfers
• Park fees
• Passenger Liability Insurance
• VAT & Tourism Levy
• Full African body massage
• Welcoming gift

Does not include

• Travel insurance
• International flight tickets
• Gratuity
• Laundry
• Lunches and dinners in Swakopmund
• All drinks and alcoholic beverages
• All optional extra activities and spa treatments

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

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 8 Day Yoga, Wildlife and Adventure Retreat in Namibia, 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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