Above Safaris
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Yoga Retreat

overview

With the option of 8 or 13 days, you will have the opportunity to hone your yoga and meditation practice alongside a group of people ready to embrace Tanzania. Starting and ending your days with yoga and meditation sessions, you’ll take part in an 8-day safari and cultural experience through Tanzania’s renowned northern circuit of national parks. If participating in the full retreat, spend 5 days on the beach on the tropical island of Zanzibar, located off the coast of Tanzania in the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

 

ITINERARY:PART ONE

 
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Arrival

DAY 1

You will fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) near Arusha, Tanzania. After picking up your bags, our Above Safaris staff will meet and escort you to your hotel in Arusha. You are free to relax at the hotel before dinner, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet the rest of the group, your private yoga instructor and some of the guides for your trip.

Maasai Boma

DAY 2

In the morning after breakfast, your guides will pick you up at the hotel and you will travel to a rural Maasai village outside of Arusha. The Maasai are one of the oldest and largest tribes in Tanzania known for their rich culture and traditional ways of life. You will learn about their lives and dynamic relationship with the land and wildlife. After an afternoon yoga and meditation session in the village (weather permitting), you will travel to your premium accommodations where you will have dinner and prepare for the first day of your safari.

Tarangire National Park

DAY 3

After breakfast you will travel to one of Tanzania’s most spectacular parks, Tarangire. Often compared to Serengeti, Tarangire is known for its wide-open savannas which are a sanctuary for wildlife – most notably its herds of elephants. After lunch in the park and some more time exploring, you will head back to your premium accommodations where you can join an afternoon yoga and meditation session, go for a swim, and have dinner.

Village Tour

DAY 4

After breakfast you will head to Mto wa Mbu, a town just outside Lake Manyara National Park at the base of the Rift Valley escarpment. Today, you’ll have the option of spending half of the day joining either a walking or biking tour around the town. In the afternoon you will start your journey to Serengeti, stopping to overnight at your premium accommodations on your way.

Travel to Serengeti

DAY 5

In the morning you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a yoga session before breakfast. You will then continue on your journey, passing through Ngorongoro Conservation Area on the way to Serengeti where you’ll arrive in the early afternoon.Hailed as the premier safari destination and home to the annual migration of over a million wildebeest, Serengeti offers prime opportunities to view breathtaking vistas teeming with wildlife.You will continue on a half-day game drive to your overnight location, overlooking the plains of Serengeti. Upon arriving at camp, you'll have the option of joining a sunset yoga and meditation session before dinner.

Serengeti National Park

DAY 6

In the morning you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a yoga session before breakfast. Then head out for a full-day game drive, stopping for lunch in the park. Today, there will be the option of heading back to camp early to spend time relaxing by the pool or joining a special afternoon yoga and meditation session with a view of the Serengeti plains. If you choose to continue on the game drive you’ll return to your premium accommodations in time for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Travel to Ngorongoro

DAY 7

In the morning you’ll have the option of joining an early morning yoga session before breakfast. After breakfast, you'll head back out on your final game drive in Serengeti. Around lunchtime you will make your way out of Serengeti heading towards Ngorongoro Conservation Area where you will overnight at your premium accommodations before visiting the famed Ngorongoro Crater the next day. At camp you will have the opportunity to join a sunset yoga and meditation session before dinner.

Ngorongoro Crater

DAY 8

Early in the morning you’ll have the option of joining a sunrise yoga session. Following an early breakfast you will embark on the final day of safari, which will take you to Ngorongoro Crater, the world’s largest intact caldera. Your safari drive will follow the road along the rim of the crater, affording breathtaking views across the 100 sq. mile crater floor 2000 feet below, and then descend to the crater floor. The steep walls of the crater and verdant floor serves as a natural sanctuary for some of Africa’s densest populations of large mammals, including a few rhinoceros. Ascending the crater in the afternoon, you will travel back to Arusha where, for those on the full 13-day retreat, you will be able to join an evening yoga session before dinner and overnight at your Arusha hotel. If you are on the 8-day safari retreat, after returning to town you will head to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.

 

ITINERARY:PART TWO

 
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Travel to Zanzibar

DAY 9

Today marks the beginning of the second leg of your adventure in Tanzania: five days in paradise. After breakfast and an optional yoga session, you will travel to JRO airport where you’ll catch a quick flight (~1 hour) to Tanzania’s most famous island. Zanzibar is known for it’s idyllic white sand beaches, fresh-caught sea food, spectacular reefs for diving, and fascinating culture and history. When you land in Zanzibar, you’ll be heading right to one of the most beautiful beaches in the north of the island where you will stay. At the beach you will have the opportunity to take part in daily yoga and meditation.

Zanzibar

DAY 10

In the morning you have the option of joining a yoga and meditation session on the beach before breakfast. Then, spend the day relaxing on the beach or by the pool, exploring the local village, or taking part in one of the many activities offered which you can arrange directly with the hotel (e.g. snorkeling, scuba diving, spa treatments, swimming with dolphins, etc.). Your stay at your premium accommodations includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If you decide to eat outside the lodge you will be responsible for any costs incurred. Before dinner you have the option of joining a yoga and meditation session.

Zanzibar

DAY 11

Before breakfast join a yoga and meditation session on the beach. Afterwards, enjoy another winderful day in paradise! Evening yoga and meditation will be offered before dinner. Overnight at your premium accommodations.

Zanzibar

DAY 12

Before breakfast join a yoga and meditation session on the beach. Afterwards, enjoy another fabulous day in paradise! Evening yoga and meditation will be offered before dinner. Overnight at your premium accommodations.

Zanzibar and Departure

DAY 13

In the morning, you’ll enjoy your final yoga and meditation session by the beach. Take a last dip in the blue-green waters and soak up the sun one final time before you head to the airport to return to the real world! In the afternoon, you will be transported to the airport where, unfortunately, you’ll be headed home.

 

TRIP FAQS

 
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How do I secure my spot on the trip?

+ Booking and Deposit

A deposit of 25% of the total trip cost must be submitted to secure your spot. Securing your spot on the yoga retreat is on a first come first served basis. The maximum for each retreat is 30 people.

Payments can be made by bank transfer (must include any transfer fees added by your bank) or by secure credit/debit payment (a 3% fee applies to credit or debit payments). During the booking process we will provide instructions for wire transfers and credit/debit payments. Our standard terms and conditions apply.

+ Submitting Balance

The remaining 75% is due 45 days before the trip departs. You are free to submit the balance of the trip costs anytime up to the due date.

 
 

+ Yoga for all levels

From beginner to advanced. Your instructor will teach sequences which challenge the body, in order to build strength, and safely gain flexibility and mobility. Each session will be different, depending on our daily schedule, how people’s bodies are feeling and the time of day. The mornings may be a more invigorating practice while the sun rises over our safari bungalows, while the afternoon practice may be more restorative and healing poses, which allow our bodies to relax after a long day of watching wildebeest migrate and elephants play. No yoga experience is necessary. Yoga sessions will be tailored so that each person can feel challenged, motivated and rejuvenated.

+ Meditation for all levels

Guided meditation directs our thoughts on a subject, in order to let go of nagging, every day distractions. This will be the perfect way to start a beautiful day in Tanzania. Meditation sessions will honor the incredible beauty of the landscape around us, putting us in the perfect mindset to relax and enjoy the day’s schedule.

+ The Instructor

Yoga and meditation sessions will be taught by a experienced 200 hr-RYT certified vinyasa yoga instructor.

What kind of yoga and meditation will be offered?


+ Small Class Size

The retreat is capped at 14 people. With multiple yoga classes each day class sizes are small enough for plenty of personal attention.

How many people join the retreat?


What's special about Above Safaris yoga retreats?

+ Yoga + Exploring

Our yoga retreats are the perfect opportunity for clients to improve their yoga and meditation practice while experiencing all Tanzania has to offer. As a travel company we are all about the experience. We’ve handpicked the most incredible locations for the retreat to emphasize exploration of a new country, environment and culture, and exploration within.


 
 

how do we promote responsible and sustainable travel through our yoga retreats?

+ Responsibility + Sustainability

Above Safaris focused on responsibility and sustainability through our yoga retreats. Our guides are local experts and we handpick accommodation partners that are committed to responsibility and sustainability.

 
 

 
 

What does the price of the trip include?

+ The Experience

Seven day luxury safari that includes visits to Tarangire National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Also includes a day trip cultural experience with the Maasai tribe. Five day luxury retreat on the beach in Zanzibar. (If doing the safari portion of the retreat only, trip does not include the Zanzibar portion.)

+ Daily Yoga and Meditation

Daily yoga sessions, 1-2x per day

+ Guides and Transportation

Professional english-speaking safari guides; all transportation during the trip including airport transfers.

+ Accommodations and Meals

Shared, double or triple occupancy luxury tent accommodations during the safari; shared, double or triple occupancy luxury bungalow accommodations in Zanzibar. Single accommodation can be arranged for extra cost (single supplement) upon request if availablity exists. Three meals per day, most alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (except in Zanzibar), and water during days on safari.

+ Domestic Flights

Round trip flights from JRO Airport near Arusha to ZNZ Airport in Zanzibar, if participating in the full retreat.

 
 

+ Local Hiring Process

Above Safaris hires local guides, creating good local job and providing stable incomes. Your local guide will have a personal relationship with Tanzania, and endless expertise on the land and people.

Who will be my guide?


+ Preparing for Your Trip

Before your trip you’ll receive a tailored Trip Planner which will provide useful information for your trip. From packing lists to cultural awareness, tipping etiquette to introductory Swahili language tips for your trip, we’ll make sure you’re ready for your adventure. Additionally, your dedicated travel expert is only an email away.

What do I need to know about my trip?


+ Responsible Travel

Above Safaris approaches responsible and sustainable travel differently. We bring you impact-driven travel without sacrificing any of the quality and expertise that you seek. Our commitment to responsibility, sustainability, and community innovation means we create a tailor-made adventure that is good for you and Tanzania

Why should I book my adventure with Above Safaris?


 

Rates 

 

FULL RETREAT

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SAFARI RETREAT

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Ready to join the retreat?