On this exciting yoga retreat, you will re-center yourself with yoga sessions that will guide you through various skills and practices to support your unique lifestyle. Adventure, food, and wildlife like no other await you in the varied landscapes of South Africa!

It is a perfect opportunity to take time for self-care in order to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul.

Am I excited to visit South Africa in February 2023? Hell, yeah!

You definitely don't want to miss the yoga retreat in the world's most exotic countries with us on February 06-14, 2023.

And here is why:

• South Africa is a truly fascinating and magnificent country packed with incredible wildlife, the most breathtaking landscapes, and complex history.

• Known for its beaches, mountains, and savannas, it's a trendy place for tourists. South Africa has been called “A world in one country”. It offers cosmopolitan cities, a rainbow nation of richly diverse cultures, spectacular scenery, and of course the Big Five safari experience. It is the only country in the world to contain an entire floral kingdom. It is home to more kinds of mammals than North and South America combined; or Europe and Asia together. South African grasslands have approximately 30 species per square kilometer, greater than the biodiversity of rainforests.

• The fact is that you can actually swim with colonies of Jackass penguins there! They are located at Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town near Cape Town, as well as further down the coast in Betty’s Bay. And we will be there!

• The Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost point of South Africa.

• The iconic Table Mountain in Cape Town is believed to be one of the oldest mountains in the world, at 260 million years old. Not only that, it is one of the world’s 7 New Natural Wonders, and is also one of the planet’s 12 main energy centers, radiating magnetic, electric, and spiritual energy. And we will have a yoga session on the top of that mountain! I am also looking forward to paragliding over/close to Table Mountain.

• You can do the world’s highest bungee jump in South Africa! Those brave enough can take the 216-meter leap off Bloukrans Bridge and plunge towards the Bloukrans River below. An absolute must for thrill-seekers and adrenaline junkies! I am not going to jump I think, but we will see the bridge.

• And then all those vineyards and wine tasting! I usually can't drink more than two glasses of wine, but for me, quality is more important than quantity.

Our yoga retreat starts at Cape Town International Airport in South Africa.

Cape Town is one of three capital cities in South Africa. This seaside city is beautiful and picturesque with a great backdrop of the famous Table Mountain National Park. South Africa’s top tourist destination has lots of beautiful coastlines and beaches nearby, many whales watching tours, amazing scenery, and it has a walkable waterfront area with tons of great restaurants and shopping, and more.

Cape Town, the “Mother City”, or the world’s most fabulous city, is the oldest city in South Africa and has a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years.

There are few countries where you can go to the beach and expect to see penguins - South Africa is one of them. There is a colony of 3,000 penguins that live in and around Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa. If you want to see more, you can visit a sea bird rehabilitation center SANCCOB where the majority of the residents are penguins.

South Africa is famous for its wines with the majority of the vineyards being located just outside of Cape Town. There are many vineyards and wineries that you can visit for lunch, enjoy tasting menus, take tours, and purchase some fabulous wines.

The Garden Route is a stretch of the southeastern coast of South Africa that extends from Witsand in the Western Cape to the border of Tsitsikamma Storms River in the Eastern Cape. The name comes from the verdant and ecologically diverse vegetation encountered here and the numerous estuaries and lakes dotted along the coast.

Yoga retreat program: 

February 06 - Arriving day and transfer from the airport. First night in Cape Town.

February 07 - Day 1: Cape Town, Table Mountain, Botanical Garden, and wine tasting.

We will begin our South Africa adventure by hiking up to Table Mountain and having a magical first yoga session on top of Table Mountain.

This is followed by a visit to the first botanical garden in the world to be established (in 1913) to protect local flora, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in the UNESCO-listed Cape Floral Kingdom follows. Visiting Groot Constantia Wine farm, we taste their export quality wines and have dinner. Overnight at African Soul Surfer, the location for our studio-based class with sweeping views of Muizenberg and where surf lessons are offered.

February 08 - Day 2: African penguins, relaxing, and beach yoga

We journey along the False Bay coastline to Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town, home to one of the few land-based penguin colonies in the world. Boulders Beach in False Bay offers something extra special – a colony of African Penguins in all their smart dresses, waddling glory, right under your nose. In fact, it’s the only place in the world where you can get close to African Penguins. We will choose one of the popular restaurants in the area for dinner. Overnight at African Soul Surfer. 

February 09 - Day 3: driving to Caledon 2-hour. Wine and chocolate tasting, spa, yoga

Visit Cape Point, part of the Table Mountain National Park and home to an abundance of flora and fauna. We hike a light downward trail to the stunning Dias beach to enjoy your morning yoga session next to the ocean. You also visit the viewpoint with the Flying Dutchman Funicular.

Driving in the direction of Stellenbosch, we go to the Spier Wine Farm for chocolate and wine tasting on the banks of the Spier dam. Overnight at The Caledon Hotel and Spa which has an impressive view of the Klein Swartberg Mountains and the continuing wheat fields.

The hotel is situated around an hour’s drive away from Cape Town and offers guests mineral-rich hot springs and a spa with three restaurants, a gym, and children’s activities offered to all guests. The wellness center is equipped with comfortable seating, natural hot springs, a lap pool, a steam room, a sauna, a frigidarium (The distinctive brown color of the water is due to the rich mineral content known as chalybeate.), a Swiss shower, elegant Victorian Bath House (erected 1897 and outdoor Jacuzzi, as well as a great Zen Garden. A full range of spa treatments including massages, body wraps, facials, and beauty therapies are on offer as an option. Click here to see the Caledon Spa menu. Book your treatment after 6 pm and at least 3 days in advance. We do not have a yoga class that evening.

February 10 - Day 4:  Caledon to Knysna via the Cango Caves: 5-hour drive

Starting with the Garden Route, we move on to the town of Oudtshoorn with Route 62. This route delivers an unforgettable South African traveling experience, making life-long memories. After visiting the Cango Caves for a Heritage Tour, we head down the scenic Outeniqua Pass and onto the green forests and beaches of the Garden Route.

We go to Buffalo Bay for a rejuvenating beach walk. Buffalo Bay beach is a blue flag beach located in Goukamma Nature Reserve, between the coastal towns of Knysna and Sedgefield, along the Western Cape Garden Route. The beach is characterized by dune fields, coastal fynbos, and a forest that flanks the long white sands. Overnight is at the Peace of Eden Nature Lodge and Vegan Retreat. This is “rustic, eco and natural, our accommodation is earthy and creative, our shower water is golden brown, our drinking water is straight from the heavens, and know that here in the country, ‘things’ with 4 legs rule! We are here to chat with the monkeys, clap when the baboons come visiting, give you clean sheets, and generally ensure you have a peaceful carefree time with little bits of spice thrown in the mix with peace, and where guided forest walks, massages, vegetarian cooking classes, yoga, and meditation outdoors.

February 11 - Day 5:  Knysna return: 3-hour drive

Breakfast follows a drive through Knysna and to the town of Plettenberg Bay, where you can take a boat ride for a “Dolphin Encounters” excursion of 1,5 to 2 hours at Ocean Blue Adventures. (highly weather-dependable) You can go to the world’s highest bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge. Standing 709 feet (216 meters) above the Bloukrans River, the arch bridge is ideal for bungee jumping. This is an optional activity (own expense), and you are free to watch the bungee jumpers take the plunge.

Alternative to the “Dolphin Encounters” boat ride you can make one of the activities at Stormsriver Adventures: a Tsitsikamma Woodcutters Journey or a Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour. Overnight is at the Peace of Eden Nature Lodge and Vegan Retreat.

February 12 - Day 6:  Knysna to Cape Town: 6-hour drive

After you did some activities of your choice at the Peace of Eden Nature Lodge we head back to Cape Town and visit some of the amusing farm stalls on the way. Overnight is at the Zebra Crossing Backpacker. It is a 2,5 km walking distance from the beach. Evening and morning yoga is on the beach.

February 13 - Day 7:  The Big 5 Safari in the Aquila Private Game Reserve: 2-hour drive 

The “Big Five” is a term that is used to refer to the 5 African animals that early big game hunters considered the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa. These animals include the African elephant, lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, and rhinoceros.

• 09.45 - Depart Cape Town 
• 12.00 - Arrival at Aquila and welcome drinks
• 12.15 - Buffet lunch
• 13.15  - 2-3 hour game drive.  A game drive is an excursion through wild areas to find some of Africa’s most iconic and elusive wildlife.
• 16.30 - Depart for Cape Town

February 14 - Day 8: Transfer to the airport

Accommodation: 

Accommodation during the retreat is described in the program section. You can choose a private room or a shared room.

What is included: 

• 8 nights accommodation
• 1 or 2 yoga classes per day
• Yoga mats
• Breakfasts
• Hiking tour to the Table Mountain
• Wine tasting
• Safari
• Entrance fees
• National park fees
• Airport transfer
• All transportation for included activities

What is not included: 

• Airfare
• Insurance
• Visa fees
• Lunches
• Dinners
• Drinks
• Gratuities (recommended 10 %)

Additional Information: 

South African currency is the rand (ZAR).

There are 52 nationalities who can enter for up to 90 days visa-free. Read more by clicking here.

Remember to bring:

• Passport with at least 30 days remaining from the intended date of departure. Passports must have two blank pages for entry stamps.
• Hat and sun protection
• Mosquito repellant
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring along a jersey or jacket

The itinerary is subjected to slight changes according to weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.