Yoga Safari 11 Days
February 9-19 2024
Program
Join us on a transformative 11-day yoga safari that will energize, awaken, ground, and transform you, in a way only Africa can!
The first five days of your trip will be a classic African safari with the extraordinary opportunity to observe animals in their natural habitat, traverse the expansive wild savannah on foot, and meet communities whose lives are intimately intertwined with the natural world. Integrating yoga into these experiences helps embody a deep sense of connection with the wildlife, the land, and the people you encounter.
The second half of your journey is on the enchanting island of Zanzibar. Here your yoga practice will begin, furthering the exploration of self-discovery and interconnectedness. Zanzibar, particularly the area of Jambiani where you end your trip, has its own special energetics. The serenity of this part of the island, its local rhythms still aligned with those of the sea and seasons, is the ideal place to deepen the yoga practice and cultivate your wellbeing.
Some of the activities to round out your time in Zanizbar include excursions to Stone Town, a world heritage site, sailing on a traditional Dhow boat, learning how to kite-surf, or simply soaking up the beauty of the island with its white sand and turquoise waters.
Day 1
Arrival
Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to your lodge for your first night before embarking on safari.
Mealplan: FB (breakfast, lunch, and dinner included)
Transit time: Approx. 1.5 hrs
Lodge Options: Kutoka Lodge, Haradali Home, Tumbili Lodge
Day 2
Tarangire National Park
After breakfast we drive towards Tarangire National Park.
This park is stunning and has a wide range of animal life including endless herds of elephants. Adding to its beauty is the Tarangire river winding through and landscape dotted with spectacular Baobab trees.
You will be based at a camp in the nearby Manyara region that is situated to offer unique walking and cultural opportunities.
Mealplan: FB
Transit time: Approx. 2 hrs
Lodge Option: Isoitok Camp
Day 3
Manyara
After a morning game drive in Tarangire, we make our way to nearby Isoitok camp. This camp has access to incredible views overlooking Lake Manyara and the Great Rift Valley basin. The camp is situated close to the Maasai community of Esilalei of which it has a long standing relationship with.
Today will be an opportunity to ground and feel the Tanzanian landscape with all our senses. There will be time to go on nature walks, visit a traditional Maasai homestead (boma), and join a medicine plant walk. The sunsets overlooking the Great Rift Valley and Lake Manyara are stunning.
Mealplan: FB
Lodge Option: Isoitok Camp
Day 4 - 5
Serengeti
After breakfast, depart for the Serengeti. Driving from south to the north, you'll begin to grasp the sheer magnitude of this park; passing kopjes, woodland, marshes, hills, rolling valleys along with vast horizons drawing you on.
Wildlife thrives in every corner, and you will see antelopes, giraffes, zebra, elephants, lion prides, leopards, cheetahs, hippos jackals, kudus, hartebeests, spotted hyenas and much more.
Transit Time: 3 hrs
Lodge Options: Serengeti View Camp, Tortilis Camp, Sound of Silence
Day 6 - 10
Zanzibar Island
After an early morning game drive, transfer to Serengeti Seronera airstrip for your direct flight to Zanzibar. You will have five days to enjoy this island paradise. Your stay will be at the fisherman's village of Jambiani.
Activities on offer range from dhow sailing trips, snorkelling, dolphin watching, spice tours, and village walks. We work with Marine Cultures, an institute that guides us towards eco-sustainable activities.
There is the option to spend one night in the World Heritage site of Stone town. The mix of culture, atmospheric streets, and ancient architecture & history is captivating.
Mealplan: Bed & Breakfast
Transit time: Approx. 1.5 hrs
Lodge Option: Mbili Villas
Day 11
Departure
Enjoy your last day on Zanzibar. We will arrange the airport transfer for your return flight back home.
Highlights
Incredible wildlife viewing in some of the most iconic parks of Africa
Exhilarating nature walks with local Maasai guides
Enriching cultural exchange and insights into indigenous cultures
Daily rejuvenating yoga on the breathtaking island of Zanzibar
Luxurious villa minutes walk to stunning Jambiani beach; swimming pool on site
Nurturing food packed with fresh fruits throughout your trip
Group size is limited to 6 participants for an authentic and intimate experience
Optional Activities & Excursions:
Sunset dhow sailing trips
Diving/Snorkelling
Kitesurfing
Island tour (Miwi & Niamembe)
Dolphin watching
City tour and lunch Stone Town (World Heritage)
The Yoga Practice
The Kundalini yoga sessions are 1.5 to 2 hours daily in the morning. Kundalini yoga is usually practiced only once a day due to the strong energy movements created. Each session will be a sequence of the following:
Tuning in
Pranayama to open up lungs
Warming up the spine
Kriya (set of asanas intended to create a shift within the body)
Meditation (longer with each successive class)
Shavasana for complete relaxation
Sample Zanzibar Daily Schedule
07:00 Warm drinks
07:30 - 09:15 Morning kundalini yoga practice
09:30 Breakfast
Free time
Beach time, kite-surf or other water sports, swim and relax, massage, read, etc.
16:00 - 18:30 Evening meditation balanced on some evenings with special excursions (dhow sailing, village walking tour, Paje seaweed project, spice tour)
19:00 Dinner / beach fire / social gathering
Meet the Instructor
Sat Naam, my name is Celine and I am a kundalini yoga teacher based in Zanzibar. After discovering the healing power of this ancient yogic technology, I became passionate about sharing with all those that wish to give it a try. This type of yoga uses sound wave (mantra), movement (asana) and breath work (pranayama) to raise the kundalini energy that is said to be dormant coiled at the base of the spine. Once this life force energy is awakened and flowing freely through all chakras, you become the best version of yourself. Join me in this journey of deep self discovery.
Trip Locations
Tanzania has more wild animals per square kilometer than any other country in Africa. Nearly 40% of Tanzania is a protected area. The Serengeti, an ancient undisturbed ecosystem alone supports over 3 million animals.
Tarangire is a gorgeous park with countless elephant herds and majestic baobab trees. At every corner, there is a delight, either in the changing scenery or another animal to be seen. Sunsets are spectacular here.
The Manyara region is a wonderful place to connect to the land and different tribes & cultures of Tanzania. Landscape is mostly typical African savanna where tribes such as the Maasai reside and roam semi nomadically with their cattle.
The Serengeti is an unparalleled region for wildlife viewing. Here you will likely see the "Big 5" along with countless other animals. The full orchestra of the natural world and its interconnections are witnessed here.
Zanzibar is a stunningly beautiful island where you can swim, snorkel or just lounge the hours away while enjoying endless stretches of sand and turquoise waters. The island has a rich history with influences from Africa, Arabia, India, and Europe.
Jambiani, a lovely fishing village on the south-east coast of Zanzibari, is one of the best places to get insight into local life. You can see fishermen on their dhow boats return with their catch in the early morning and women tending their seaweed farms.
Accommodations on Safari
We are very particular with the accommodations we select on safari because we understand how important it is after a full day of driving and walking in the bush to come back to comfort and relaxation. We avoid the larger chain style lodges, instead preferring smaller, more intimate places often built to blend in with the natural environment - where the sounds of nature will soothe body and mind.
These lodges and camps, though in the middle of the Tanzanian bush, remarkably offer most of the comforts you need, like comfortable beds, hot showers, and private bathrooms. Each ensuite safari cottage / tent sleeps 2 and opens up at the front to beautiful views of the surrounding African bush and savannah. Though the rooms are private, everyone can enjoy fireside, starlit evenings and dining together.
Accommodations in Zanzibar
During the safari and for the first 5 nights, accommodations are in shared twin rooms. In Zanzibar, for the last 5 nights, we have selected a private double room at Mbili Villas for each person to enjoy the well deserved comfort after the adventure of the safari.
Mbili villa has tastefully decorated rooms, an ample area for lounging, and is located only a few minutes' walk to the beach. It has an outdoor kitchen and a private pool for guests.
The Yoga Shala can be found upstairs in a spacious well-ventilated mezzanine covered in natural Makuti thatch.
The location of the villa offers access to vibrant and charming local life but also tranquility and seclusion.
Food
You will enjoy full-board meals while on safari. Each morning comes with a full breakfast, lunch is usually packed for the day's game drive or nature walk, and dinner has a delicious variety of meals sourced from fresh ingredients.
In Zanzibar, there will be a Bed & Breakfast option. We have intentionally left the other meals of the day open, as we believe each traveler would appreciate the freedom to explore and choose from the vibrant food scene the island is renowned for. Members from our team will be on hand to direct you to some of our favorite spots, from authentic local eateries serving traditional dishes to larger, more upscale establishments.
There is also the option to hire a chef for any of the days at the Villa if you and the group wish to create something special together.
This stretch of beach also has beach bars with swimming pools where you can enjoy cocktails, refreshing drinks, fresh fruit juices, or local teas and Italian coffees at any time during the day.
Date & Rates
February 9-19 2024
USD $2950 p.p based on a shared twin room while on safari, and a private room in Zanzibar.
The surcharge for a private room for the entirety of the trip is $445 p.p.