Imagine doing something so epic that it makes your skin tingle leaving you feeling so alive you might burst.
This is the feeling you get when visiting Africa.
Having grown up in Africa the adventure was endless and some of the encounters we experienced were truly amazing. One that stood out was a family weekend in the game reserve with our cousins. The two families were pilled into the VW Combi driving the reserve hoping to spot something big. At the time our parents were keen bird watchers and as you can imagine four children in the back without any binoculars didn't find the bird watching all that.
Whilst we were amusing ourselves in the back of the car our attention was caught by a ranger who pulled up alongside us pushing both cars deep into the thick vegetation on either side of the narrow sandy road. He told us to turn around as there was an angry bull elephant in the road and he was not happy.
Of course, our fathers thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to ignore the advice and proceed so we could see the elephant. Everyone was quiet and looking ahead as my uncle drove cautiously along the path and then suddenly, pandemonium struck.
The road curved round and no more than 2 meters ahead was an enormous elephant with the most impressive tusks in the middle of the road, flapping his big ears back and forth. He stopped in his tracks, turned to face the car and there was not a single sound of breath from anyone. My uncle shoved the gear stick hard into reverse at which point the bull elephant began to charge our car, the car blasting in reverse with the screams of our mothers shouting "Get down, get down kids." It was pretty scary, to say the least. We charged back and the bull charged forward for what felt like a long time but was probably only a few meters before the elephant stopped and turned back the other way. The tingles were real!
Last year in November I visited Morrocco for the first time and that same special feeling was back. One thing that always stands out when visiting African countries is the craftmanship. Every country I have been to in Africa has incredible wares that are handmade and they are always so pleasing on the eye. In the souks in Marrakesh to the road vendors on our way in the mountains. It seems that all Africans are true artisans. The plan was to hike and do yoga in the Atlas Moutains and boy were we spoilt up there. We enjoyed some amazing hikes in stunning scenery with the snow capped peaks as a back drop and the warm sunshine on our back. I had hoped to climb the highest mountain in North Africa called Mt Toubkal but turns out its a two day trek staying over the night at base camp before summiting.
So the plan is to go back in April 2026 which is spring time and the blossom trees will be blooming and teach my retreat followed by the summit trek. The retreat will be 4 nights in a kasbah near the town of Imil in the Atlas Mountains. You will enjoy morning and evening yoga, guided hikes, hammam and all three meals. The food is amazing at the kasbah and the rooms are cosy and warm. Following the yoga retreat, you will have the option to do the two-day hike up Mt Toubkal as an extra or head back to Marrakesh and shop till you drop. The Morrocco retreat will launch soon but if you are intersted please drop me a email and you will be the first to know when it launches.
2026 is all about Africa as I will be hosting a Yoga, Safari and Hiking Retreat in my motherland of South Africa. I am beyond excited to offer this 8 night safari, hiking and yoga retreat in September 2026. You will enjoy morning and evening yoga classes, safari game drives, guided hiking through the Drakensberg mountains, delicious food, culture and more. This retreat will be launching in the next couple of months and if you are interested in joining please let me know.
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