Yoga for the Wild: Kenya Conservation Retreat
Join us in June 2022 for a yoga retreat to the expansive plains of one of Kenya’s most iconic and diverse wildlife conservation areas, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Expect unlimited game drives, wildlife interaction, conservation education, meet the Ol Pejeta community and enjoy twice daily yoga classes in the bush with your hosts, Kat & Laura.
FULLY BOOKED (CHECK AVAILABILITY ON OUR 2ND KENYA YOGA RETREAT)
Saturday 4th June 2022 – Friday 10th June 2022
All proceeds from this retreat go to The Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
OVERVIEW
Our days will be spent unwinding on the yoga deck overlooking the river (which is often visited by giraffe and elephants), enjoying meals under the African sun and on unlimited game drives getting up close and personal with Ol Pejeta’s diverse and populous wildlife including lion, cheetah, leopard, rhino, elephant, giraffe, zebra and more.
CONSERVATION FOCUS: This retreat is in partnership with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy and all proceeds will go toward important conservation projects. During our stay we’ll be learning about some of the projects we are funding, including a visit to the northern white rhinos, the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a K9 security demonstration and behind the scenes visit to meet the rangers.
Accommodation
The Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages are tucked away along a beautiful, acacia studded river line, in the heart of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy’s exclusive wilderness area. Built in 2017, The Safari Cottages is the brainchild of safari industry veterans, Andy and Sonja Webb who wanted to create an environment that makes you feel like you have always belonged here. Above all else you’ll find unfussy, eco-friendly luxury, superior service and top-quality food and guiding.
Each spacious safari cottage sleeps 2 or 4 people in ensuite bedrooms that open up at the front to extensive views to the river and plains beyond. Though each cottage (four in total) is private we’ll all be enjoying fireside, starlit evenings and dining together on the river platform, or on the patio of the central cottage in bad weather. Your safari cottage is also fully serviced; cleaned daily and a private butler on call should you need anything at all during your stay.
The Yoga
Morning and evening sessions are around an hour long and will take place on our dedicated yoga deck overlooking the river. We’re often visited by elephants and giraffes so we may take a pause mid-class to enjoy our visitors! All equipment is provided for you (including 15mm thick yoga mats) but you’re welcome to bring your own. As well as Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yin and Meditation you will also join a community yoga class with the rangers and staff of Ol Pejeta. This is a great opportunity for you to connect with the team on the ground and learn more about the important work they are doing.
The Cost
Space on this retreat is limited to 12 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 or a private room. There are also two private cottages available and these will be booked first come, first serve. Yet another reason to secure your spot asap!
SHARED TWIN OR DOUBLE ROOM: $3,495 per person
PRIVATE DOUBLE ROOM: $6,290 per person
A deposit of $500 is required to secure your space. Your deposit is fully refundable until 6 months prior to travel.
Final payment is due on or before 15th March 2022. All payments are made in USD through Laura’s website, Zen Mission Yoga.
If you’re paying in a different currency you’ll be charged your bank’s own exchange rate on the day of payment. Paying your deposit means you have read and accepted the T’s & C’s for this retreat. Click here to download T's & C's.
WHat’s included
Accommodation: 6 nights at The Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages in luxury en suite bedrooms. You have the option for shared rooms or a private room (two private cottages are available on a first come, first serve basis). We have exclusive use of the whole property!
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Catering is available for your dietary requirements.
Drinks: a selection of white and red wines and spirits, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee and drinking water
Activities: all activities as mentioned in the itinerary
Transfers to and from Nairobi: from designated pick up and drop off points
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International flights and any other travel not outlined in the itinerary
Any additional activities not mentioned
Travel Insurance (required) eg. World Nomad
Other important travel information
PICK UP DAY: The location of our pick-up point in Nairobi is yet to be confirmed. We suggest you plan to arrive the day before the retreat and overnight in a hotel near the airport; The Ole Sereni or Eka Hotel are great options and transport can be arranged for you by the hotel. If you need assistance with a taxi from the airport to our pick up location contact Kat and she can help you out.
VISAS & VACCINATIONS: Please ensure you have your visa ahead of time and all relevant vaccination certificates. For most up to date travel information check the CDC website.
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.
For more information on traveling to Kenya we’d suggest you download the Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages travel guide here.
Schedule
Saturday 4th June
8AM: Attendees to meet at 254 Ole Sereni Hotel for group transport to Ol Pejeta
2PM: Arrival at Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages: briefing, lunch, settle in
5PM: Vinyasa Yoga (gentle post-travel stretches) or evening game drive
7PM: Drinks around the fire
7.30PM: Dinner
Sunday 5th June
6.30AM: Sunrise meditation & vinyasa yoga
8.30AM: Morning game drive and take-away breakfast
1PM: Lunch
4PM: Restorative Yoga or afternoon game drive
5.30PM: Sundowners
7.30PM: Dinner
Monday 6th June
6.30AM: Sunrise meditation & vinyasa yoga
8AM: Morning game drive, visit to Chimpanzee Sanctuary and take-away breakfast
1PM: Lunch
4PM: Yin Yoga or afternoon game drive
5.30PM: Sundowners
7.30PM: Dinner
Tuesday 7th June
6.30AM: Sunrise meditation & vinyasa yoga
8AM: Breakfast
9.30AM: Morning game drive + NWR visit & Baraka
1PM: Lunch
4PM: Restorative Yoga or afternoon game drive
5.30PM: Sundowners & night drive
8.30PM: Dinner
Wednesday 8th June
7.30AM: Morning Meditation + Breakfast
10AM: Behind the scenes (K9 demonstration and Northern white rhinos visit)
1.30PM: Bush lunch
4.30PM: Afternoon game drive & sundowners
7.30PM: Dinner
8.30PM: Candlelit Yin
Thursday 9th June
6.30AM: Sunrise meditation & vinyasa yoga
8AM: Morning game drive + bush breakfast
1PM: Lunch with special guest James Mwenda
4PM: Restorative Yoga or afternoon game drive
5.30PM: Sundowner farewell on the plains
7PM: Dinner
Friday 10th June
7AM: Breakfast
9AM: Pick up and transfer to Nairobi (direct to the airport for flights departing after 6PM, or drop off at the Sheraton Airport Hotel for the afternoon or overnight – at own cost)
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.
