Discover the Kenya Highlands: A 6-Day Wildlife and Yoga Retreat Recap

Do you want to explore Kenya in an eco-conscious yet luxury way while enhancing your yoga practice and immersing yourself in the wilderness? Whatever your level of yoga ability, our wildlife and yoga retreat are a chance to connect with yourself and the wilderness. You’ll swap your at-home yoga mat for the same rocks and wild spaces explored by lions and leopards.

These experiences don’t exist only in dreams. Carefully curated, these yoga retreats seamlessly blend wellness with the wilderness for an unforgettable adventure. I’m sharing a recap of a five-night/six-day itinerary from our recent Kenya Highlands Retreats to give you a taste of what your next yoga retreat could look like.

Day 1 & 2: Travel to Enasoit Conservancy 

Our guests began their retreat with a meet and greet at the airport before a private transfer to a boutique hotel in Nairobi. The first night of any yoga retreat is a chance for guests to relax, meet each other for the first time, or get an early night.

I met our guests at breakfast the following morning before travelling to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s elephant nursery for a private viewing. While this visit will no longer be part of future yoga retreats, it can be added to your itinerary as a private or group visit before the start of your retreat. 

Following our nursery experience, guests took a pre-arranged transfer to the airport to board a private charter flight to Enasoit Conservancy. This luxury-tented camp is booked exclusively for our retreat as a one-of-a-kind safari experience.

After settling in, guests gathered for a nutritious lunch before joining me for a post-travel yin yoga session. Later, we set out on a scenic game drive to a sundowner spot, where samosas and a choice of drinks—both alcoholic and alcohol-free—were waiting. As the stars emerged, conversations flowed, and connections were made.

On the drive back, we were fortunate to spot a rare Aardwolf, a sighting that made the evening even more special. The day ended with a late candlelit dinner, the perfect close to the first day of our retreat.

Day 3: Yoga, Relaxing, and Getting Up Close with Wildlife

Yoga began bright and early at 7 a.m., just as zebras and giraffes gathered at the waterhole in front for their morning hydration. After a hearty breakfast, guests set out on a game drive, where they were lucky enough to spot four lions. They then returned to camp for some well-deserved relaxation.

Our itineraries are designed with flexibility, allowing guests to explore solo. Some indulged in a massage, while others relaxed by the pool with a good book. A few even opted for a horseback ride, taking the landscape from a new perspective.

After lunch and a peaceful afternoon session of yin yoga, we set out on a sunset drive, spotting lions and herds of antelope as the sky turned gold. As we arrived at the towering rock, baboons rested quietly on its ledges, but not for long—a leopard began prowling around, stirring up a bit of trouble. Fortunately, there was no kill nearby, and we remained the only ones dining by the rock that evening, with the stars overhead and the bonfires crackling beside us.

Dinner was prepared beside us on BBQs in the heart of the Enasoit Conservancy, and we enjoyed the meal next to the bonfires, their warmth cutting through the cool evening air. Afterwards, we set out on another game drive, tracking a rare male leopard and watching him crouch low in the grass for over twenty minutes. Luck was on our side for this retreat, and after such an encounter, everyone slept deeply once we returned to camp.

Day 4: Sunset Yoga with Zebras, Lions and Leopards…

Another early morning began with a pre-sunrise drive over the Lodaiga Hills, watching elephants, giraffes, and buffalo stir as the day slowly unfolded. We paused for a picnic breakfast, stretching our legs while a few guests climbed a tree for a leopard’s-eye view. As we dined, giraffes wandered past, their graceful silhouettes moving through the morning light. Afterwards, we enjoyed a leisurely afternoon drive back to camp, taking in the quiet beauty of the conservancy.

Later that afternoon, back at the lodge, guests unwound by the pool with an Aperol spritz in hand, enjoying a front-row seat to monkeys and hyraxes playfully darting around.

That evening’s yoga class was one of the most special ones I’ve enjoyed teaching. The ‘yoga rock’ I had chosen was already occupied by a leopard when we arrived, so we observed the beautiful Leopard for a few moments as our guides thought of the next best rock to set up our Yoga class on.

The Leopard at our “Yoga Rock”

At last, we found the perfect spot! Surrounded by Zebra and antelope grazing as the sunset. Midway through our yoga class, we heard the familiar sound of lions roaring, and from where I was teaching, I could see the two lions we saw on day one strolling behind the rock. As usual, the wild dictates the experience, so we took a moment to step away from our mats and silently gaze over as the “honeymooners'“ strolled by.

Day 5:  Recharging at Your Own Pace

One of the highlights of our wildlife and yoga retreat is the freedom to move at your own pace. Day 5 offered guests the chance to recharge however they chose. Early risers headed out on a pre-sunrise drive to greet our newly acquainted lion friends, while others opted for a leisurely morning and a well-earned lie-in before we all came together for a vinyasa yoga class.

Shortly after yoga, we traded the dining table for a fully immersive wilderness experience—a bush breakfast. Guests could arrive early by car or take a more adventurous route, arriving a bit later on horseback, making the journey as memorable as the meal itself.

In the afternoon, guests curated their own experiences. Some set off on a group game drive with guides, exploring the wilderness together. Two guests rode horseback to the pool, indulging in a relaxing massage, while another ventured out with a private guide to explore Enasoit solo.

We all reconvened by the pool for a delicious lunch and a yin yoga class. The day came to a peaceful close with a 30-minute meditation walk as the sun set from the pool to the lodge, where we gathered around the fire, sharing stories before enjoying a candlelit dinner.

Day 6:  Morning Vinyasa, Massai Games, and Mountain Biking

Day 6 started bright and early with a short drive to a beautiful yoga spot, pictured below. There, I led a vinyasa yoga class on the same rock under which we dined during our second night at Enasoit. So, it was no surprise that a few friendly baboons cheekily gate-crashed our yoga class. After the Yoga class, some guests opted for a scenic mountain bike ride back to camp, and some took the quicker yet equally exciting route in the car.

Once back, the Maasai staff at Enasoit introduced us to traditional Maasai games—a series of spear-throwing, rungu tossing, and bow-and-arrow challenges. While we quickly discovered we weren’t quite as skilled as our hunter-gatherer ancestors, it was a fun and lively morning.

After our usual day of massages, pool time and taking in the abundant wildlife in front of Enasoit Camp, we head out for our late afternoon game drive to our sundowner spot, where the Maasai staff and nearby community members surprised us with a traditional Maasai dance. As the sky danced with colour and the sun began to set, we watched the stars take their place above us.

On our final night, we concluded with dinner and a deeply restorative yoga nidra session around the fire, setting the stage for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Day 7: Private Charter to Nairobi

On our final morning, guests had the opportunity for one last game drive before a gentle morning vinyasa session to ease into the day. It was Halloween, and one of our guests brought animal ears for everyone to wear during the drive—some even kept them on during yoga!

After breakfast and a final reflection on the retreat, our private charter arrived for a scenic flight back to Nairobi. With heartfelt goodbyes (until next time!), guests continued on their journeys to more adventures in East Africa or back home.

Could You Picture Yourself on This Safari?

Poolside massages, daily yoga with breathtaking views, and up-close encounters with some of the world’s most magnificent wildlife—our Kenya Highlands Retreat offers a truly wild experience.

Join us for a five-night stay in luxury tented camp accommodations, complete with daily yoga, guided walks, and game drives. We're now taking bookings for March and October 2025!

Prefer something closer to home? Join the waitlist for our New Scottish Highlands Retreat.

Have questions about our luxury yoga and wildlife safaris? Drop me a message at info@laurabuntingyoga.com—I’d love to hear from you.

All photos by Teagan Cunniffe