Kenya – SAFARI . BEACH . YOGA – Full Moon Adventure
10th – 17th November 2024
TRIP OVERVIEW
8 days
10th – 17th November 2024
KENYA: Nairobi – Taita Hills, Tsavo – Watamu
Group Size: 10-14
Age 21-75+
Price from £3350 / $4260 (We do offer a monthly payment plan)
Deposit £600 / $750
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Spend 8 days with Anna in beautiful Kenya on a full moon – Enjoying YOU time!
Enjoy yoga sessions in stunning settings led by the amazing Laura Bunting
*Exclusive use of 2 incredible properties
Stay 3 breathtaking days on safari in the bush at the beautiful Hildana Lodge and experience the rawness of Kenya as it is – it’s out of this world!
Enjoy sundowners with views across the Taita Hills which will blow you away
Go in search for an array of wildlife including elephants, lion, cheetah, giraffe, rhino, hippo, zebra to name a few in the private sanctuary and Tsavo East
Adopt an orphan elephant at the famous Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage and visit the Reintegration Unit for their evening feed. Learn about their projects and the impact they have on conservation – Exclusive visit!
Spend 4 magical nights in the magnificent Watamu Treehouse for the most amazing full moon experience
Take part in unique, award winning full moon experiences at the Treehouse – SUP moonlight expedition, sunset-yoga evening, and Mida Creek floating adventure
Visit Bluebells School – take part in dancing, stories and give back something special to this wonderful school
Lose yourselves on beach walks, massages, yoga and lots of relaxation and you time!
*Subject to numbers
WELCOME TO KENYA!
On the 10th November 2024, we will embark on an adventure of a lifetime on our first SAFARI . BEACH . YOGA retreat in Kenya with host Anna, and yoga teacher Laura Bunting. Anna is the founder of Wild Hearted Adventures. She is mum to three young girls – eight-year-old twins and a truly Wild Hearted five-year-old. Anna not only hosts Wild Hearted Adventures, but is a travel writer, editor of the successful family travel blog Twins and Travels, and in a former life, deputy head of a primary school.
Laura (on the right) is your yoga teacher for the duration of the trip. She is an experienced teacher, retreat leader and founder of ‘Wildlife and Yoga‘. She practices Vinyasa, Yin and Yoga Nidra. Laura is originally from the UK but now leads a dream life in Kenya teaching online yoga classes, leading her own retreats and spends many a day exploring the untamed landscapes, immersing herself in the beauty of the wilderness and the captivating wildlife that calls Kenya home.
Wild Hearted Adventures brings like-minded women together for unforgettable adventures in wild places. It is all about stepping into the unknown, connecting with other inspirational women, and hopefully making a few lifelong friends along the way. We create a safe space for solo travel meaning if you’re coming alone, you’ll be in good company.
This retreat, is your chance to escape the everyday hustle and bustle of life and indulge in the ultimate rejuvenating safari – beach retreat which offers the perfect blend of wildlife, adventure, and relaxation. A careful balance between daily yoga (where all levels of experience are catered for, including beginners), and other energising nature activities in the bush, and on the sea. Do as little or as much as you want – this is your retreat! It is designed for all amazing ladies with all levels of fitness in mind – It’s time you did something for yourself!
Imagine waking up each morning to the smells of the bush, the silence of the wilderness and the calmness of the sea air. From your pillow watch the African sun rise up over the horizon. Your day often begins with a gentle yoga class led by the amazing Laura Bunting, or maybe a cup of tea on the deck whilst watching elephants coming to the waterhole for their morning drink, or a quiet beach walk with waves gently rolling on to the shore.
If you’ve always dreamt of going to Africa, here is your chance to make those dreams a reality. I can promise you, from the moment you step on to African soil, you will fall in love. That’s really how Wild Hearted began, 20 years ago when I made that very first visit to Kenya, and now I just can’t keep away – It is why I want to take you there too; to share the magic of Africa.
** The itinerary is subject to changes – Whilst we do our best to keep to our planned itinerary, on occasions things do have to be altered.
Day 1: 10th November – Arrive in Kenya
Arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and transfer to our Nairobi hotel.
Early afternoon our retreat begins with an experience of a lifetime. We have been offered an exclusive visit and tour of the Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi to meet the baby orphan elephants – this is super special!
We will meet the keepers, learn the story of the elephants and you might get to see the one you have adopted too. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is such an amazing place, I have been many times myself and visit at every opportunity!
In the evening we will meet for a welcome dinner where you will get all the details for the trip.
Overnight: Nairobi Airport Hotel
MEALS INCLUDED: Dinner
Day 2: 11th November – Let’s Go on Safari!
After a hearty breakfast, we will head to the station and take a scenic journey to Voi where we will be met by the wonderful team of The Hildana Lodge. We will take a short game drive through the sanctuary to the lodge where we will settle into our rooms before having lunch.
The Hildana Lodge is a boutique lodge which lies at the foot of the Taita Hills, part of the Tsavo region tucked away on a 5000-acre private sanctuary. This small, exclusive property promises total privacy, and unfettered access to amazing wildlife in the heart of the Tsavo elephant corridor . It offers serenity and a luxury escape from the busyness of reality, a home away from home in the African wilderness.
After a delicious lunch at the lodge, we will head off on our first game drive in the Sanctuary in search of it’s wildlife. Enjoy a short yoga session to stretch out after our travel day before returning for sundowners. Just imagine yourself sipping your favourite tipple with views of elephants quenching their thirst at the waterhole on their journey through the sanctuary!
Dinner served at the lodge.
Overnight: The Hildana Lodge
MEALS INCLUDED: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: 12th November – Tsavo East National Park & Orphan Elephants
Today our adventure starts with an early morning yoga session before breakfast, then off to Tsavo East National Park for a full day safari with a picnic lunch.
Tsavo East National Park is one of the oldest parks in Kenya, located South East of Kenya near the Town of Voi in the Taita. Tsavo East is generally flat, with dry plains and is home to most of the larger mammals. Vast herds of dust red elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, leopard, pods of hippo, crocodile, waterbucks, lesser kudu, gerenuk and hirola.
Late afternoon we will be making a very exclusive visit to the Sheldrick’s Voi Stockade rehabilitation unit to visit the orphaned elephants and learn more about the project. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust was established 45 years ago by Daphne Sheldrick, alongside her husband, David Sheldrick. In the early days, they hand-raised orphaned elephants back to a life in the wild. Sheldricks now operates the most successful orphan elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world.
Orphaned elephants start their rehabilitation in the Nairobi Nursery. This is the first formative step in an orphan’s journey back to the wild. When they are ready the join one of the reintegration units, where dozens of orphaned elephants have found their way back to the wild. We will spend the early evening with the incredible keepers learning about the orphans journey.
Overnight: The Hildana Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: 13th September – From Bush to Beach
Wake before sunrise and head to a special spot in The Hildana Lodge for yoga on the rocks.
After breakfast, we say our goodbyes to the lodge and head off on a beautiful game drive through Tsavo East stopping for lunch on route.
Mid afternoon we will arrive at the incredible Watamu Treehouse on the Kenyan coast. Kenya’s coast is a different shade of paradise; white sand beaches, turquoise waters, a mangrove estuary, and the handcrafted Watamu Treehouse towers that offers 360 degree views of magnificent wilderness.
Watamu Treehouse is situated in the original coastal forest on the edge of Watamu’s beach. Unforgettable accommodation – Spacious open rooms, unique architecture, beauty and nature everywhere you look. There are seven spacious guest bedrooms, all en-suite with shower, toilet and balcony. Meals will be served at the Treehouse which will consist of delicious, fresh seafood and vegetarian food.
You will have time to settle in and relax before enjoying our first sundowner at the coast.
Overnight: Watamu Treehouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: 14th November – Relaxation, Massages & Local School Visit
Today, wake naturally to the sound of birds, and the suns rays peering into your bedroom. Take a leisurely morning beach walk before breakfast or enjoy waking up slowly – the choice is yours.
After a yoga session, it’s a free morning by the pool with a book, or enjoy a relaxing massage which is our treat to you.
This afternoon we go on the most wonderful adventure to meet the wonderful staff and gorgeous children of Bluebells School and come together as one. At Bluebells School their aim is to join two worlds, one where there is abundance and the other where there is a lack; to give hope to 160 students and their families for a brighter future. We will not only be visiting the school but we will join together through dance, yoga and stories.
we will support the school with a donation towards meals and construction of new classrooms.
Evening sundowners at the Treehouse
Overnight: Watamu Treehouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: 15th November – Beach Walks and Paddle Boarding with Yoga on a Special Full Moon
Let’s start the day with another of Laura’s beautiful yoga sessions. Enjoy some free time relaxing with a book, taking a dip in the pool or enjoying a much needed massage. You may like to also join us on a walk to the sandbar after breakfast, the choice is yours!
Mid afternoon head out for an experience like no other – During our stay we are lucky enough to experience a full moon.
We will paddle out on the creek on stand up paddle boards in the afternoon sun, enjoy a yoga session on the paddle board before we will enjoy the double-experience of sitting to simultaneously watch the sunset and the moonrise, before paddling back in the moonlight – it will be a spectacular evening!
There is nothing quite like being outside under the light of a full moon. There is a profound and spiritual connection between the full moon, the tides, and our emotions. Just as the full moon pulls on the tides and creates more dramatic tidal changes between highs and lows, some people experience the same in their emotional lives.
Dinner at the Treehouse.
Overnight: Watamu Treehouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: 16th November – Full Moon Mangrove Float – A UNIQUE award winning Watamu Nature adventure
On the morning after the full moon, we rise early to ‘float’ . Just after a full moon or new moon – during the spring tides – there is a tidal situation where water rushes out of Mida Creek and out to the sea – very quickly. This is an award winning experience where we will enter the water in a small channel in the mangroves and float with the outgoing tide, before ending up on a beautiful beach for breakfast.
Daytime is at your leisure to relax.
Tonight we will join together for a special time on the beach to enjoy the sun, the moon for our final evening.
Overnight: Watamu Treehouse
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: 17th November – Departure Day
Today we say goodbye to our new found friends and we head home after our magical time in Kenya. After breakfast, we’ll pack up and head to Malindi airport, where we’ll drop you off for your flight home. We hope you’ve had an unforgettable adventure with us and that you’ll take home memories that will last a lifetime. The trip will finish at Malindi Airport.
Meals: Breakfast
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Airport pick up from Nairobi Airport (Please arrive by midday on the 10th)
Train transfer from Nairobi to Hildana Lodge
7 nights accommodation on a shared twin room basis
All meals as per itinerary
Entrance and conservation fees to Tsavo National Park and local conservancies
Donation our partner school in Watamu
All activities mentioned in the itinerary including full moon experiences at the coast
A massage at the beautiful Treehouse
Transfers throughout the tour
Entrance to Sheldrik Elephant Orphanage and elephant adoption
Pre-Departure Support
24hr On-Site Support
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfares – You will need to book a flight in to Nairobi International Airport and out of Malindi Airport.
Drinks
Meals not mentioned
Visas / Electronic Travel Autorisation
All items of a personal nature
Gratuities and Tipping
Travel Insurance – compulsory
All dietary requirements catered for
** The itinerary is subject to changes – Whilst we do our best to keep to our planned itinerary, on occasions things do have to be altered.
INSPIRED VENTURES
OUR PARTNERS ON THE GROUND
INSPIRED VENTURES – OUR PARTNERS ON THE GROUND
Your trip will be operated in partnership with Inspired Ventures, a UK B-Corp challenge and events company who are the principal for your trip. This ensures the booking process, licenses, bonding and insurances are taken care of in accordance with UK law, your funds are secure and your trip is fully risk assessed before we depart. Wild Hearted Adventures benefits from ABTOT bonding.
PLEASE TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING AND NOTE THAT DEPOSITS ARE NON REFUNDABLE
The full booking conditions for this trip can be found here.