7-Day Luxury Safari Yoga Retreat
Zimbabwe
Experience a rejuvenating week of yoga and safari in the heart of Hwange National Park. Hosted by Maggie James Yoga at The Hide, one of Zimbabwe’s most acclaimed safari lodges, this retreat offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.
Start your day with uplifting yoga sessions surrounded by nature, followed by exciting game drives in the afternoons. Enjoy guided bush walks, workshop-style classes, and incredible wildlife right on your doorstep. With warm hospitality and breathtaking scenery, this journey promises deep connection, renewal, and unforgettable moments in the wild.
About your Host
Maggie is a 750+ hour yoga and Pilates teacher with over 20 years of practice. She teaches Jivamukti, Vinyasa, Mat Pilates, and Pre- & Postnatal yoga and Pilates, sharing the joy and peace these practices bring her. Encouraging curiosity and growth, she inspires students to explore and evolve in their practice. Based between Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and the UK, Maggie teaches weekly classes and hosts safari yoga retreats
Skill level
Beginner friendly and intermediate
Yoga Styles
a blend of Hatha, Vinyasa, Jivamukti
Group size: Maximum 7
Highlights
luxury safari lodge in pristine wilderness of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park
see wildlife all around you from the bed, the deck, or the secret Hide
daily nourishing yoga immersed in nature with an experienced instructor
up to two safari drives / activities a day
all inclusive meals, teas coffees and bar drinks
small group of like-minded people, max 7 participants
instructor lives locally in Zimbabwe and knows the best that the area has to offer, but was trained in and used to teach at London's top yoga studios before moving to Africa
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Typical daily schedule
Subject to some variation
6:00 Sunrise, a quiet cup of tea or coffee brought to your tent
Observe the animals coming to the water from your bed or veranda
7:00 Yoga
Breakfast
Free time, pool, journaling
12:00 Lunch
Safari drive and / or yoga (depending on day)
19:00 Dinner
Sit by the crackling fire with your favorite drink/a cup of tea, under the starlit sky
Deep sleep
Daily Schedule /Itinerary
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Located in a prime position in Hwange National Park, The Hide offers a life-enriching safari experience for its guests, from its fantastic game viewing right on your doorstep, to a variety of daily activities to suit everyone and the warm and welcoming staff, who make you feel like family from the minute you arrive.
The Hide is situated on a private concession on the eastern boundary of Hwange National Park, and with stunning views across a natural waterhole, it’s the perfect location for creating the incredibly close connections to nature for which The Hide is famous.
The Hide offers an incredible diversity of wildlife and scenery. Consistently voted the “Best Tented Safari Camp” in Zimbabwe, you know your time at The Hide Safari Camp will be unforgettable.
What you’ll love about The Hide:
5 deluxe safari tents overlooking the national park and a watering hole
Each tent has twin (2 single) beds / 1 king size bed, en-suite bathroom and a veranda
Private veranda with waterhole views from every room
Iconic dining and lounge area with a viewing platform upstairs
Private feel, small group (max 8 of us)
Morning tea or coffee delivered to your doorstep
Different tent configurations with indoor and/or outdoor bathtubs and showers
Plunge pool
Fire pit
Plenty of space and outdoor seating to take time for yourself
Secret underground hide by the watering hole to watch the elephants and other wildlife up close
Al fresco dining options and bush breakfasts
Delicious meals prepared by the in house chefs, plus a few meals eating out in other restaurants
Wine cellar in tunnel en route to the Waterhole Hide
Up to 4 activities/excursions per day, including game drives and walking
Wake up to the first calls of robins and hornbills as the dawn light creeps in, enjoy a cup of freshly delivered coffee on your veranda and watch elephants, kudu, giraffe and zebra come down to the mist-edged waterhole. At the end of the day, soak in a soothing hot bath as the buffalo stroll silently by or enjoy an energizing outdoor shower under the stars.
Only 3 deluxe tents still available!
FOOD
The Hide is an all inclusive luxury safari lodge. The food is excellent and the daily changing manus is catered by a top chef in the industry. However, we will be in the middle of the African bush, so if you have any specific dietary requirements or expectations, please do message me before booking to check we can cater for it.
Accommodation & Food
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- 7 days & 6 nights accommodation at The Hide, Hwange
- transfer on arrival day from & return to Victoria Falls (airport or town) at set group transfer times
- if you are staying anywhere else, please discuss transfer options with me
- up to 2 activities a day (game drives, walking safari, birdwatching safari)
- complementary stay at the Dove's Nest depending availability (book this as soon as you can to avoid disappointment)
- 3 meals a day (arrival day: dinner and departure: breakfast)
- Complimentary drinks, water, tea and coffee at venue
- entry fees to the National Park, sustainability levy to stay in Hwange National Park
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- Visa: on arrival at Victoria Falls International airport you might need a Visa. UK visa is $55 single entry, or $70 if you want double entry (if you'll be travelling to Chobe Botswana and back again for example)
- Transfer outside of the group transfer times and location, depending circumstances happy to organise and quote
- extra activities before or after the retreat, but these can be added on, eg. a visit to the world famous Victoria Falls waterfalls
- yoga equipment, please bring your own although happy to discuss special requests
- insurance: please book travel insurance which includes practicing yoga (most standard travel insurance will include this, but please check)
- tips for cleaning staff, tips for guides - good to have some $ (USD) cash for this
- Non-included premium alcohol drinks, although most normal bar drinks will be part of the All Inclusive offer
Inclusions & Exclusions
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Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest and oldest national park, spans over 14,600 square kilometers of diverse landscapes, from semi-arid scrublands to teak forests and open savannahs. Located in the western part of the country near Victoria Falls, it is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and large concentrations of wildlife, particularly its massive elephant population, estimated to be one of the largest in Africa.
The park is home to over 100 mammal species, including lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalo, and endangered African wild dogs. It also boasts more than 400 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers. Hwange offers some of Africa’s best game viewing, thanks to its numerous waterholes, many of which are artificially maintained to support wildlife during dry seasons.
Visitors can explore the park through guided game drives, walking safaris, and luxury safari lodges, such as The Hide, which provide immersive wildlife experiences. Its remote and unspoiled nature makes Hwange a top safari destination for those seeking authentic encounters with Africa’s iconic wildlife.
Locations
Cancellation policy
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Not necessarily
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We supply all mats and props
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35-60
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Yes
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1-2
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Yes
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Pay into bank account; or cash; and yes, get in touch for payment plans, they are available
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You will received a packing list upon confirmed booking.
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Guests can fly into Victoria Falls International Airport, in Zimbabwe. The set time transfer on arrival day to The Hide, is included from this airport /anywhere in Victoria Falls town. The drive takes about 3 hours.
Transfer at the set times on our start date is included from either Victoria Falls town area or the airport, and back. I would however recommend arriving a few days before the retreat to acclimatise and explore Victoria Falls and the incredible waterfalls, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World.
Any questions or other transfers you may wish to organise, please message me and ask
FAQ
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I highly recommend spending a few days in Victoria Falls before the retreat. And / or you may wish to do a Chobe add-on after Hwange, or a different area. I am happy to recommend places to stay and activities to do depending on your interests for before and after the retreat. Please get in touch with any requests.
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Reviews
The 2024 Yoga Safari was one of the gentlest, nicest and well thought through yoga retreats I've been on. The organization and running order of the retreat was just right, being well managed and filled with just the right amount of treats. It allowed for a great mix of safari activities as well as self-time, and as such offering a really great balance between holiday adventures and immersion in yoga and self-reflection, whilst retreating away from reality in everything that the nature wonders of Africa has to offer.
This retreat stood out to me particularly because of the group size being kept small enough to ensure great dynamics and connections with the other yogis. Additionally, Maggie went all out to support our additional wishes, be it yet another safari ride, carrot cake or one of the local run pampering treatments. It really was one of a kind retreat where yoga and wildlife holds each others hands.
Thank you Maggie for creating and holding such a loving and nourishing space for us all throughout the week of true magic, thank you for showing us the beauty and much more of the Victoria Falls area , hoping to return soon enough.
