This year we will be running a scheduled Yoga Safari in Kenya from 10 - 19 November - see the full itinerary below. We can also tailor private yoga safaris, so please enquire if you would like us to send more details.
Yoga Safari in Kenya - November 2011
Kenya is steeped in a sense of mystery and romance due to the British colonial history, Karen Blixen’s ‘Out of Africa,’ and the long-standing Masai communities. The Masai Mara National Park boasts a great density of wildlife due to its smaller size, making this park ideal for game watching – up close and personal. Lamu has made its mark on the international travel scene as a seaside oasis of calm, a timeless haven amidst an Indian Ocean mangrove. For these reasons amongst many others, we chose Kenya as the ideal destination to integrate body awareness, inner stillness, and the adventure of a lifetime....
10 Nov
Arrive Nairobi – transfer to Fairview Hotel – optional excursions
Today, you arrive at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on your own flight. Take a taxi to Fairview Hotel from the airport. You can go on an excursion if you arrive early, or just wait for the rest of the group to arrive and relax in preparation for the yoga safari. We all meet at the poolside around 5 pm for a drink followed by dinner.
If you arrive earlier in the day, you have the option of visiting a few of the highlights in Nairobi; the Elephant Orphanage and/or the Karen Blixen Museum (at your leisure and your own cost). We can give you more information about this if you like.
11 Nov
Transfer to Wilson Airport – game drives Masai Mara – Rekero Camp
This morning we will be transferred around 08.00 to Wilson Airport to catch our bush plane into the Masai Mara, arriving at 1000. Enjoy the scenic ride over the Great Rift Valley and the vast plains of the Masai Mara – you will probably catch your first glimpse of game as we come in to land! A guide from Rekero Camp will be at the airstrip to meet us and take us to the camp where we settle in for a relaxed lunch. In the afternoon there will be a game drive and sundowners for those who wish to set out exploring for wild game!
Rekero Camp is a small, high end tented camp which lies in the heart of the Masai Mara, which is dense with diverse wildlife. The camp is situated in a shady location along the Talek River, and is ideally positioned for viewing the wildebeest migration in-season. With only eight tents, this intimate bush camp gives each guest highly personalised service where you really get to feel at home in the midst of a wild, remote Kenyan bush. Using Rekero as a base camp, guests can do walking safaris, cultural tours, and game driving – or just rest in the cosy lounge looking over the vast plains of the Masai Mara Nature Reserve.
Yoga on safari: Over the next few days you will enjoy a mixture of yoga, breathing and meditation classes in between game driving.
Rekero Camp is partly owned by Jackson Looseyia, one of the first guides in the Mara. He has incredible knowledge of all the wildlife, from the smallest insect to the largest predators, and is one of the presenters on the BBC’s Big Cat Diary Live programme! If Jackson is in camp during our stay you will have the chance to be guided by him, which is a very special and unique opportunity.
12 Nov
Early morning & afternoon game drives – Rekero Camp
Today, you have the option to game drive either early in the morning or in the evening – or both. In between drives spend some time relaxing in the beautiul mess tent watching out across the river – hopefully seeing animals from the comfort of your chair while sipping a cool drink!
Everyone can share stories and photographs back in the camp in the evening, or just rest and lounge in your tent, enjoying a bit of free time before dinner.
13 Nov
Morning game walk – afternoon game drive – Rekero Camp
After breakfast head off for a game walk one hour outside the Masai Mara – where we will still have the opportunity to see ample wildlife. We will be accompanied by an armed guide and park ranger to ensure the safety of the group. The guide and naturalist will explain the genesis and uses of medicinal plants, show us how to track wild animals, and of course he will spot big game for you – keeping you at a safe distance!
Drive back to the camp for lunch. Finish off the day with an afternoon game drive and return to the camp for sundowners and your final dinner.
14 - 19 Nov
Transfer to airstrip – flight to Lamu – Banana House and Wellness Centre & Yoga
After breakfast and an early morning game drive, we take a transfer to the airstrip for our flight to Lamu, via Nairobi (depart Masai Mara at 1100 arrive Nairobi 1215. Depart for Lamu at 1345 arrive 1530). When we arrive at Manda Airstrip in the afternoon, we will have a boat transfer (c 15 mins) waiting to take us to Shela Village in Lamu. We walk on to Banana Wellness Centre (there are no cars in Lamu!) where we have the rest of the afternoon at leisure and an evening yoga session on the rooftop terrace overlooking the ocean. We will stay at Banana Wellness for the next 5 nights.
Banana House & Wellness Centre is a privately owned guest house / wellness centre in Shela Village. Owned and operated by Monika, an Art of Living / Yoga instructor, Banana Wellness holds a healing atmosphere that is perfect for going deep into your yoga practice. The guest house is welcoming and conducive to relaxation – hammocks, loungers, and big comfy cushions invite you to sink in and just enjoy! Set amidst a lush tropical garden with a swimming pool, large yoga room and rooftop meditation hall, Banana Wellness is an ideal retreat. Here you will experience true and pure wellness: fantastic organic food, friendly staff, fresh air (no cars on the island), walking barefoot and being with nature.
Yoga classes
Over the next 5 days you will enjoy two yoga classes each day, taught by two local teachers, Monika (who owns Banana Wellness and teaches Hatha yoga, and Lisa who manages Banana House and Wellness and teaches Asthanga yoga at the centre).
We have arranged a few group activities during your stay on the island, but not too many so you also have time to relax and explore at your own pace.
14 Nov: afternoon arrival – evening yoga class
15 Nov: morning yoga class – afternoon yoga class and evening afternoon sunset dhow trip
16 Nov: morning and afternoon yoga class - morning visit to Lamu Town – special Swahili Dinner at Banana Wellness
17 Nov: morning and afternoon yoga class - no prearranged activities in the day – explore & relax
18 Nov: morning and afternoon yoga class - no prearranged activities in the day – explore & relax - sail by moonlight to Manda Island for beach barbeque around the campfire.
19 Nov: Morning yoga class – departure
A massage on one the days in included in the price as well.
19 Nov
Enjoy your last morning yoga class. Transfer to Lamu Airstrip for your flight back to Nairobi, departing at 1600 arriving Wilson Airport at 1800. There will be a transfer waiting to take us to the international airport for your onwards international flight.
This is where the adventure ends
Contact us for pricing and more information about the yoga safari or for information on our tailored private yoga safaris in Kenya and Tanzania.
