Kenya
NATURE IS THE WITHOUT DOUBT, THE ULTIMATE HEALER
Salute the sun on the beach at sunrise, pause to meditate in an indigenous forest, or find stillness on a sandbar, suspended in azure ocean water.
FOCUS
This retreat brings a real WOW factor to wellness travel -set in the most beautiful of places, with exploration and adventure in abundance. Calling on those that especially love the great outdoors, amazing wildlife, and that undeniable sense of freedom!
Throughout the week, your host Natalie will be guiding you to tune into the natural rhythms and cycles of nature, recognising it as the ultimate healer and helping your body to function more harmoniously -both physically and mentally. You can expect to feel not only more balanced and energised but to benefit from greater clarity on the year ahead -resetting yourself, at a time when we so often struggle with heavier winter energy.
Activate your radiant innate self! Unite in the glory of nature, with all it’s power and all the respect deserved -for this is one life and it should be lived well!
LOCATION
Watamu is the magic holiday destination of Kenya, with endless white sandy beaches, crystal blue waters, tropical mangroves and a tree filled indigenous forest that extends as far as your eyes can see. The region also has many quaint villages with authentic boutiques and amazing eateries -all run by the friendliest of locals, who go out of their way to make you feel welcome.
*Flying to Malindi via Nairobi, it’s then just a 25-minute taxi ride to the retreat location or fly more direct to Mombassa, with a 2.5 hour taxi ride, which we can organise in both cases.
ACCOMODATION
Watamu Treehouse is a unique and inspiring guesthouse operating in harmony with nature –a place where you can feel at home in wildly beautiful surroundings, with views of the Indian Ocean and UNESCO protected mangrove forest. It boasts an exceptionally dedicated, friendly, and fun-loving team, who have years of experience hosting and supporting guests on their personal journey toward health. Relax on one of the many verandas or roof-top lounging spaces, grab a fresh juice and chillout for your daily sunrise and sunset, each time overlooking magnificent scenery -this is life in the tree house!
YOGA, THERAPIES & OTHER ACTIVITIES
Natalie will be leading two yoga classes per day: sunrise Hatha Vinyasa in the morning and sunset Yin Yoga in the evening.
The Hatha Vinyasa sessions will include all classic yoga components: meditation, breathing exercises, postures, hand gestures and mantras. Expect an emphasis on entering and maintaining postures with greater ease, control, and correct alignment; as well as moments of flow that allow us to feel a sense of freedom into our bodies. Each day this practice will be focusing on a specific element, chakra, and part of the body. By the end of the week, we will have journeyed through all 4 elements thoroughly, leaving us in a state of complete balance and in tune with the natural qualities and rhythms of nature. An overall invigorating experience that wakes up the mind-body-spirit connection.
Yin yoga is a deep stretching, meditative practice, incorporating seated and reclined poses that are held for up to 5 minutes, which really allows the body to open and surrender. The evening yoga will complement the subtle and physical body, that we will be working on that day.
In addition, Natalie offers a few extra special sessions and considerations through the week:
– Guided meditation walk in surrounding nature: quality time for us to really take in the beauty of our location for ourselves more deeply.
– Yoga Nidra: a guided yogic sleep that takes us on a healing journey through the elements like no other.
– Silent mornings until breakfast: settle into a new day and each morning yoga session more easily.
Optional activities: guided nature & culture walks, snorkelling/sandbar boat excursion, stand up paddle (SUP), massages, dolphin watching and boat trips at sunset. Plus, what with the new moon tides coinciding with our dates, there is the unique chance of floating down the Mida Creek through the mangrove forest -not to be missed!
FOOD
There will be fresh herbal teas, coffee, plus light & healthy snacks to nibble on for a little energy boost, prior to your morning yoga practice.
After morning Yoga, a wholesome brunch is served; hearty enough to take you through the day -and with no ties to a programmed lunchtime, you can feel entirely free to explore further afield and even sample some of the wonderful foods the region boasts. There is always afternoon cakes and fruits waiting on your return all the same :o)
Deliciously thirst-quenching sundowners are served on the veranda after yoga, overlooking a magnificent sunset horizon, as far as your eyes can see. We love the abundantly fresh coconut juice most!
A nutritious dinner, comprising of light and fresh vegetarian cuisine (including some fish for those that want it) is served, post evening Yoga/Sundowners; with enough time for you to freshen up between or come straight in your leggings!
HIGHLIGHTS
- A specialist and very unique venue in paradise
- Total immersion into nature
- Fully equipped yoga studio with out of this world views
- Distinct outdoor activities
- Relaxed, friendly, like-minded people
- Accessible to levels of yoga experience
- Open to friends/family members who don’t participate in Yoga
SAMPLE DAY ITINERARY
Friday, 26 January:
14:00 Arrival and Check-in
16:00 Afternoon cake & fruits
16:30 Welcome meeting
17:00-18:00 Evening Yoga Practice
18:15 Sundowners overlooking the Indian Ocean
19:30 Dinner
Saturday, 27 January – Thursday, 1 February:
07:00-07:30 Light morning refreshments
07:30-09:00 Morning Yoga Practice
09:30 Brunch
11:00-17:00 Free Time/Optional Activities/Treatments
16:00 Afternoon cake & fruits
17:00-18:00 Evening Yoga Practice
18:15 Sundowners overlooking the Indigenous Forest
19:30 Dinner
Friday, 2 February
07:00-07:30 Light morning refreshments
07:30-09:00 Morning Yoga Practice
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Checkout
TRIP INCLUDES:
- 7 nights luxury accommodation at Watamu Treehouse
- Twice daily Yoga (Meditation/Hatha Vinyasa, Yin Yoga)
- Daily breakfast style brunch
- 7 evening meals at home
- Unlimited coffee, tea, water, fresh fruits
- Use of all common spaces at the venue
- Yoga equipment (mat, blocks, strap, bolster blanket)
- Pre morning yoga refreshments
- Post evening yoga sundowner
- Afternoon cake and fruit
- Guided group excursion walks to places of interest
- Optional add-on activities: massage, kayaking, safari etc
- Yoga mats and basic accessories
RETREAT INVESTMENT
| Occupancy/Description (each with ensuite) | Cost (per person) |
|---|---|
| *SOLD OUT* Superior Single - signature room, 5th floor, huge private terrace, spectacular 360° views. | £3999 |
| *SOLD OUT* Superior Double -as above for description | £2600 |
| Lux Single | £3400 |
| *SOLD OUT* Lux Double Extra (2 separate beds, larger space to share) | £2700 |
| Lux Double (one bed or two separate beds) | £2300 |
| Lux Triple (two or three separate beds) | £1800 |
| Standard Single | £1999 |
| Standard Double (one double bed or plus sofa bed) | £1500 |
ADD ON SAFARI, *NOT INCLUDED*
For those who want join a 3-day Safari prior to the retreat with us, we are already connected to a highly recommended safari tour company Southern Cross Safaris – they include and arrange everything, to even drop you off at Watamu Treehouse on the first day of the retreat, to rest and restore after seeing incredible wildlife. See below.
Suggested Safari Itinerary:
Day 1 – 23 Jan – arrive Mombasa from International flights
Overnight hotel in Mombasa, half board lodging.
Day 2 – 24 Jan – leave for Tsavo East National Park, via Bachuma Gate -stay in Satao Camp for 2-nights, full board lodging. Afternoon game drive
Day 3 – 25 Jan – game drive
Day 4 – 26 Jan – leave Tsavo, for lunchtime drop off at Watamu Treehouse
Price for this package is approximately $1050 pp, but we will need to get a better quote once we know exactly how many of us want to add this option.
Contact Southern Cross Safaris for more details: glen@southerncrosssafaris.com
*ALSO NOT INCLUDED*
Flights, transfers or transport of any kind, extra activities, optional massage/therapies, private instruction, holiday insurance, lunches, extra drinks, add-on 3-day safari package, tips
PAYMENT INFORMATION
A deposit of £450 p/person is required to reserve any spaces. 50% of the outstanding balance is to be settled by 1 February 2024. The reminder balance is due 2 months ahead of the retreat start date, 26 November 2024.
Contact us to request more information or simply complete your booking form request today!
