Upcoming YOGA & SAFARI HEALING RETREATs
yoga safari with jodie rufty and marissa lipovsky
August 15 - 23 2026
OVERVIEW
Experience real life in Tanzania and the soulful practice of yoga, meditation, and pranayama each day. Enjoy a 3 day safari through the northern national parks. Learn about Maasai culture and the traditional healing practices used by this incredible tribe, visit the Hadzabe tribe and experience their hunter gatherer lifestyle. Heal your body, mind, and soul while reconnecting to the nature of this world and your own personal nature.
You will begin your trip by spending a few days in Moshi, a sleepy town in the foothills of Kilimanjaro where you will experience traditional Chagga cooking and life in the village, as well as a Maasai Medicine workshop. You will then safari through Northern Tanzania to visit Tanzania’s most famous national parks. After safari you will spend three full days in retreat at a beautiful lodge in West Kilimanjaro, taking time to fully unwind and heal. The backbone of this journey is the healing and wellness that will be delivered to you through the practices of yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and journaling. Optional healing modalities such as energy healing, massage, homeopathy, and Maasai herbal medicine are available as well, depending on daily schedule. Experience transformation as you adventure within
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Day 1: Arrive and Ground
Landing in Africa is quite an experience. Take time to settle into the earth and the spirit of the land.
Guests will arrive to the Amani Light Retreat and settle at the lodging where the first yoga class will be held in the afternoon in order to set the intention for the days ahead.
Day 2: Wake Up to Nature
The day will begin with a gentle yoga session before heading into town to experience life in the villages of Tanzania. You will be guided through the local market to get a taste of the richness of foods and flavors of Tanzanian cuisine. After this you will arrive at a local home to learn the traditional cooking methods of the Chagga tribe. Have you ever made coconut milk from scratch? Well, here’s your chance! Try your hand at all of the local methods of cooking, and end your experience digging into a tasty meal with your new friends.
Day 3: Maasai Day
After a grounding morning yoga flow, we will join a Maasai Medicine workshop and nature walk to learn about the traditional medicines used by this tribe. A sunset yoga or meditation session will round off the experiences of the day.
Day 4: Safari!
Rise early to head off on safari! You will drive to Tarangire National Park, home of many elephants! After an afternoon game drive, you will transfer to your accommodation near Ngorongoro Crater.
Day 5: Ngorongoro Crater
Head out early for a sunrise game drive in the Ngorongoro Crater. Some have called it the Garden of Eden. there is no other place like it on Earth. You will have a chance to see the Big 5!
You will head back to your lodge after lunch for a slow afternoon with yoga, meditation, and some reflection time.
Day 6: Manyara National Park
Transfer from your accommodation to Manyara National Park where you will have one more game drive to see any other animals that have not yet made their appearance!
You will then head to West Kilimanjaro for your retreat portion of the trip.
Day 7: West Kilimanjaro Yoga and Retreat
Wake to the sun rising over Mt. Kilimanjaro and know that you have fully arrived for your healing and wellness experience. This day will be a day to rest from the safari, settle your mind, experience additional healing opportunities such as energy healing or massage. Options for 1 or 2 yoga and meditation experiences throughout the day. End the day with a traditional Maasai dance and a fireside chat to learn more about Maasai culture.
Accommodation: Africa Amini Maasai Lodge
Day 8: West Kilimanjaro Yoga and Retreat
Perhaps by now you are feeling whole in your mind and body. Your body is rested and your mind has become calm and peaceful. You will be guided through yoga, meditation, and journaling sessions that will allow you to internalize your experience in a beautiful way. You will have this final full day at Maasai Lodge to continue soaking up the experience.
Additional activities include a nature walk led by a Maasai guide, energy work, and massage.
Accommodation: Africa Amini Maasai Lodge
Day 9: Depart West Kilimanjaro Yoga and Retreat
We will close our retreat with a closing circle wishing each other many blessings as you take this transformation back to your home, your family and friends, allowing all of your cultivated love and kindness to ripple out into your community. What you will have created will be beautiful, what you will have excavated is your truest self.
*all accommodation is subject to availability
*If your flight is for a day later, you can return to Amani Light Retreat for a night or two free of charge :-)
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It is each traveler's responsibility to have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the dates of travel and a visa if required. Passport applications are available at most U.S. Post Offices, as well as at regional Passport Agencies. Passengers requiring visas, whether obtained in advance or locally upon arrival, should ensure that their passport has blank pages.
You can obtain a visa for Tanzania for $100 either upon arrival at the airport, or online.
You can check CDC guidelines for any suggested prophylaxis. No documentation is necessary to enter the country.
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Mid Luxury Yoga Safari including flights from all major US Airport
Double Room Sharing
$ 3,850 per person
Single Room
$4,550 per person
*All inclusive accommodation, meals, transportation, safari, yoga and healing experiences, and all excursions
*does not include flights to and from JRO (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
