Zimbabwe·5 - 11 October 2026
Booking opens March 31 @ 8 pm ET. Join us to immerse yourself in the African wilderness. See wild dogs, lions and more in Mana Pools.
We’re basing ourselves in a private, highly-acclaimed safari camp in the Mana Pools National Park. You'll wake up each morning overlooking the banks of the Zambezi river on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Spend your days practicing yoga at sunrise, enjoying safari game drives as well as walking with elephants, the famous painted wild dogs and more. We are thrilled to be partnering with Yoga for the Wild for this retreat and supporting Bushlife Conservancy. We recommend only adventurous and hardy souls join us on this once-in-a-lifetime experience deep in the bush! - Group Size: 12-14 Guests - Luxury Score: 2.5 / 3 (out of 5) - Adventure / Activity Score: 3/3.5 (out of 5) - Some safaris will be done on foot (optional) - Cuisine: Omnivore (Meat + Vegetarian Options) - Pricing: From $6350 per person double occupancy *Option for one family room of 3-4 guests - inquire for pricing* *Early Bird Pricing expires April 30, 2025 - prices will increase $500 per person*
We'll be spread across several spacious, thatched and tented traditional safari cottages overlooking the Zambezi river. Each has a private terrace to kick back and watch the passing wildlife. Yoga classes and group meals will take place in our raised, open-air living and dining room spaces.
The focus of this retreat will be our daily safari experiences. From river boat safaris to game drives and bush walks to conservation talks.... we'll have ample opportunities to dive deep. You're likely to see elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, hippos, wild dogs, baboons, antelopes and thousands of exotic birds.
Early morning vinyasa flow yoga will take place on our raised deck before we head off on safari. Late afternoon yoga will be a restorative or gentle offering. All yoga classes are 100% optional and will be accessible to all levels of practice.
This is not a sanitized safari experience - you will be immersed in the wild. While many creature comforts will be provided, be aware that you will likely experience the wonder of elephants sauntering by your room, the unique experience of sleeping under mosquito netting and the beauty of disconnecting from the modern world (aka limited WiFi connectivity).
Like any great safari - one highlight of each day will be "sundowners" - the tradition of a cold beverage as the sun sets on another incredible day in the wild. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic options are available for sundowners and all meals, and are included in your retreat cost.
Much of the proceeds from this retreat will go back into our host area as a donation. These dollars will directly fund conservation efforts in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe - and specifically to help the animals most affected by global climate change and human conflict.
This retreat is a collaboration between Above Yoga Retreats and our good friends at Yoga for the Wild. The retreat will have two co-leaders who will also serve as your yoga instructors.
With more than 30 retreats under her belt - Anna has been around the world and back a few times. She serves as the Chief Zen Officer of Above Yoga Retreats and will help to coordinate all the logistics of this retreat ahead of time and on-site in partnership with the team from Yoga for the Wild. Expect close attention to the details that count - which she believes are all of them! Anna's yoga classes are warm, friendly, moderately-paced and inviting to all levels of yoga practitioner. She is based in North Carolina and this will be her 7th time to Africa and her 3rd safari.
Meet Kat (based in the UK) and Laura (based in the USA). They came together during COVID as fellow conservationists and yoga teachers to host online yoga classes to raise money for Kenya's wildlife, who were under threat due to a lack of tourism income. Things grew from there and this duo has taken groups on safari retreat destinations across Africa and the globe (Kenya, Zimbabwe, Namibia and more). For those who have been to Kenya with AYR before - Kat's parents' own the safari lodge we partner with there! Either Kat or Laura will join Anna to lead this retreat and the on-site yoga classes.
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DAY 1
*Everything on our retreats is 100% optional. While all meals and excursions are included in the price, your attendance at scheduled activities is neither expected or required, so feel free to create as much free time as you'd like in order to read, nap, journal, etc.
Yoga Class(es)
Safari Drive(s)
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Alcoholic Beverages
Domestic group flight to Mana Pools
Transportation from Mana Pools Airport to safari camp
Daily safari game drives with expert guides
Daily yoga + wellness classes
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (all meals!)
Unlimited filtered water, coffee and tea
Beer, wine and cocktails
Laundry service at safari lodge
Donation to local conservation efforts
Pre-retreat Zoom meeting + private Facebook group
Detailed itinerary + packing list + pre-retreat support
Flights to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)
Zimbabwean visa ($50 USD)
Pre or post retreat stays in Victoria Falls
Comprehensive travel insurance
Gratuity for lodge staff and safari guides
VIEW GALLERY
We HIGHLY recommend that you fly into Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) at least one to two days early in order to acclimate and rest up before our adventure. We will all meet in Victoria Falls for a briefing before boarding a small flight with the group to Mana Pools on the first official day of the retreat (Oct. 5). Return flights from VFA on Oct. 11 after the retreat should not depart until afternoon (or plan to stay the night and depart the next morning). Recommended hotels for overnights and activities in Victoria Falls pre-retreat will be shared after booking.
October is the height of dry season in this area. This means that wildlife sightings also reach their peak as the animals congregate around the little remaining water. Daily highs in October will be in the 80s and 90s with mostly bright sunny days and lower humidity. Your pre-retreat packing list will have more information, but plan on packing light, breathable clothing. There is no A/C in the cottages, but standing fans are provided, as well as screens to let air in and mosquito netting to keep bugs out. Please note that Victoria Falls will not be flowing at the rate it does at the height of rainy season (but it is still a spectacular thing to see pre-retreat)!
Our retreat villa is in a quiet area of Zimbabwe. The activities and focus of this retreat will center around the wildlife and getting back to nature. There are no TVs and the WiFi provided is sporadic. You will need to pack lightly. Only one soft-sided duffle bag is allowed based on regulations for our small group flight within the country. If you want things to be the way they are at home, or you need to be connected constantly to your device - this is not a good retreat for you.
A 20% deposit is required to secure your booking. The remaining 80% can be paid at your leisure and in any increments, as long as it is paid off at least 90 days before the trip (reminders will be sent). Please note our Terms & Conditions before booking for more information on cancellation policies and liability waiver, you will be asked to agree to them when checking out. https://www.aboveyoga.com/terms/terms_and_conditions
We HIGHLY recommend you take out comprehensive travel health insurance. Please also keep the remoteness of the area in mind if you have pre-existing health concerns as the nearest hospitals and medical facilities are a great distance away. You should meet with your doctor or visit a travel health clinic well ahead of travel to determine if there are vaccines they recommend (such as yellow fever) and to help you decide if you wish to take anti-malaria medications (also recommended).
There are no words for the beauty, warmth and serenity at the cottages. Every staff person, chef, guide, guard, laundry person went so far above and beyond what is expected and made us feel that our visit was special not only to us, but to them as well. The food was delicious and creative and too tempting for my own good at every meal. One of my favorite things is that there were so many varied and different experiences. There is not one single thing that could be improved upon.
Louise, West End, NC (AYR Kenya 2024 Retreat)
I joined Laura and Kat on their retreat in Zimbabwe in August 2024. Our guides Mark and Richard made the game drives memorable with their remarkable rapport with the resident elephants. We were able to spend time with African painted dogs, elephants, lions, hippos, zebras, crocodiles, baboons, vervet monkeys, antelope and more bird species than I can count. I love the community Kat and Laura have built through their retreats with overlapping interests of yoga, animal conservation and travel.
Allison, Charlotte, NC (YFW Zimbabwe 2024 Retreat)
EVERYTHING was superb! I had HIGH expectations but the whole experience far exceeded my expectations. The accommodations at the retreat were so beautiful and in keeping with the surroundings, the staff was so warm and welcoming and we all immediately felt so close to them, the safari experience itself was filled with luck and chance and some sort of kismet with the universe. I felt like our group put out abundant energy and the universe gave it right back to us! DETAILS MATTER and all the details were covered. Seriously...what an experience. It makes me get teary just thinking about it...
Kelly, Milwaukee, WI (AYR Kenya 2024 Retreat)
I can't ever say enough good things about your trips. Each one seems to be a different magical experience that I won't forget. It's hard to describe having drinks with a herd of cape buffalo and a sunset in the background. You continue to take all the stress out of traveling to more "exotic" locations and find the best local partners (and now leaders!) Tom did an amazing job! We were in great hands.
Lee, Charlotte, NC (AYR Kenya 2023 Retreat)
Anna is a master at organizing these retreats. I was so grateful for all of the information we received and felt completely ready to go from visas to yoga information. I was so grateful for every inch of this trip. It opened my heart and my mind and my soul to so many beautiful people and new experiences. Everything was fantastic. The accommodations were better than I even thought they could be. The safari guides were safe, wise and informative, the food was fantastic, the chance to meet and deeply experience another culture was a gift. Being so far from what is "normal" at home in the US was a great gift. THIS WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!
Tracey, Elmhurst, IL (AYR Kenya 2024 Retreat)
I know I say this about all of my Above Yoga experiences, but this truly was the trip of a lifetime with an amazing group of travelers! There were several instances where I felt pure gratitude for the experience. The people at the cottages will always have a place in my heart as well. The guides and the staff at the cottages were spectacular. It was mind-blowing how close we were able to get to the animals and we always felt safe with our guides. Thank you Anna for organizing such an special trip!
Kate, Indianapolis, IN (AYR Kenya 2023 Retreat)
This trip exceeded my expectations of what I thought it would be. All planning details were thorough and well communicated so I felt well prepared for the trip. On site, I couldn’t have asked to be more well cared for. Special dietary needs were honored and the food was amazing! On site chefs, cottage staff, and the guides were super professional, kind, caring, and hard working. The drives were spectacular from our witty and knowledgeable guides to the breakfasts and sundowners on the plains. The yoga classes offered were perfect for me, as a limited skilled attendee. While this is only my second trip with Above Yoga, I don’t know how it could get any better. (Maybe seeing a leopard?) I continue to share Above Yoga Retreat information with friends, as you cannot get any better planning and execution. Plus, there are great people on these trips that become friends. I just hope I can keep going with new trips!
Susan, Charlotte, NC (AYR Kenya 2023 Retreat)
Zimbabwe·5 - 11 October 2026·6 nights
COMING SOON
Join the waiting list and we will let you know if a spot becomes available.