Wildlife & Yoga X Gather Yoga Studio

Our 2024 Wildlife & Yoga Retreats kicked off with an incredible collaborative retreat with the yogis from Gather Yoga Studio in Sun Valley, Idaho. One of my favourite things about the yoga community is how supportive it is. Each teacher brings their own passion and love for yoga and their own experiences.

Rewind back to January 2023 when Danielle joined some friends on a bespoke retreat we put together in Tsavo East National Park for 6 nights at Galdessa Camp with friends. Danielle was the last guest to join, as someone had to cancel last minute, it was such a blessing for us because this is how the beautiful Danielle came into our lives.

Below are some photos of our magical trip in January 2023. A wild yoga safari. Filled with laughter, elephants, lions and memories created that will last a lifetime.

I put so much love and thought into these experiences, knowing that they are an investment of time and money to be truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience; they have become so special that our guests keep coming back for more once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Just like our good friends Halley & Jessie. Who joined me on our first Wildlife & Yoga retreat in Tsavo East National Park. Booking on in 2020, they have kept coming back since and they’re not the only ones who can’t get enough of these experiences.

Midweek, during our January yoga safari, as we immersed ourselves in the beauty of Tsavo, inspiration struck Danielle as she dreamt of bringing her yogis to Tsavo to experience the same magic she was. As soon as Danielle returned home to Sun Valley, we began brainstorming ideas on how to design this experience to suit her group’s needs. Fast forward a few months, phone calls, many emails and texts, and our ideas transformed into plans. Within a mere 48 hours, Danielle sold out all the spaces for the Gather X Wildlife & Yoga Retreat which we hosted this year.

The Retreat Experience

The majority of the Gather Girls began their journey to Kenya from Sun Valley, Idaho, the home of Gather Yoga Studio. Despite the lengthy travel time of over 24 hours door to door, we can wholeheartedly affirm that every minute spent travelling was worth it for the extraordinary experience that awaited them in the following days.

 

Upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, our guests were warmly welcomed by the airport concierge. From there, they were smoothly transitioned into the capable hands of our dedicated drivers. Led by Josephat Wambugu and his team, the guests were chauffeured to the serene haven of the House of Waine in Karen. Here, they were able to indulge in a well-deserved night of rest before the adventure began of a lifetime the following day.

Day 1.

Early the following morning, I eagerly awaited the guests' arrival at the KWS security gate for Nairobi National Park. Alongside Bernard, the driver, we whisked the guests up the hill to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nairobi Elephant Nursery. Here, amidst the awe-inspiring presence of baby elephants and rhinos and their dedicated keepers, our guests were treated to an unforgettable experience, getting to see first-hand the incredible work of Conservation. During the rest of our trip, we were going to visit the SWT Reintegration Units, which are located close to the Eco Lodges we were staying at.

In addition to these magnificent larger animals, our guests had the pleasure of meeting Spike, an orphaned hyrax I personally raised from just days old, now in the process of being reintegrated into the Park.

After 45 minutes at the nursery with inspiring people and animals, we hopped back in our taxi and resumed our journey, heading to Wilson Airport. It was here that we boarded our plane bound for Tsavo East National Park. After a scenic flight with Ryan from Rift Aviation, we touched down directly at the Ithumba airstrip, marking the beginning of our four-night retreat in the northern sector of Tsavo East National Park. 

At the airstrip, our guides, Taru and Ollie, eagerly awaited our arrival in their land cruisers, ready to guide us through the adventures that lay ahead. Along with Millie, who designs our deliciously healthy menus for our retreats with Safari Catering Co., and Teagan, the talent behind the camera,

Our accommodations awaited us at Ithumba Hill Camp and Ithumba Private, two exquisitely designed eco-lodges exclusively reserved for our group. We were warmly welcomed by Alice, our Masseuse, and the property staff, who had worked hard to get the lodge ready for our arrival and swiftly headed to our rooms to unpack and make ourselves at home in paradise.

We don’t have set routines on our retreats, as when you live in tune with the wild, you can’t plan what’s going to happen. It’s my job to ensure we weave in daily yoga, massages, and deliciously nutritious food into the days as essential elements of our retreats. Everyone is welcome to enjoy everything on our retreats but not expected to do everything. We give options to pick and choose how you would like to experience the magic.

Mornings at Ithumba.

Our days started with the rising sun. We offered an optional visit to the stockades to witness the heartwarming sight of orphaned elephants waking up and beginning their day with a bottle of milk. Each morning would be a surprise as to how many wild elephants, ex orphans or any other wildlife would turn up to the waterhole. With cup of tea & coffee guests would enjoy witnessing a day in the life of an elephant.

Shortly after sunrise, we would head back to camp and Danielle would guide us through an energising yoga class, overlooking the ancient trees of Tsavo, setting the tone for the day. Sharing her light and wisdom through, vinyasa flows, pranayama

After yoga we would sit down and enjoy a delcious breakfast. With options from fruit & granola to a cooked breakfast with. The rest of the morning our guestst would sit and chat, enjoy the views from camp. Shower in the out door showers or read a book.

The only that’s on time everyday is the elephants, they don’t wait for anyone! Just before 11 O’clock every morning. We would hop in the land cruisers and take a short drive to see the orphans enjoy their social mud bath. It is not only an awe inspiring moment but in showcases the complexity of raising an orphaned elephant. To witness the Nairobi Elephant Orphanage, followed by the reintegration unit and then the Wil

In the afternoons, my gentle yin yoga sessions and meditation practices provided a moment of peace in the day before we headed out of camp on an evening game drive to unique sundowner experiences against the backdrop of Tsavo's breathtaking landscapes.

Our days were brimming with nutritious meals, cooling off in the pool, and our ritual 11 o'clock visits to the Ithumba Mudbath. Additionally, we made sure to visit the stockades at 5 p.m., ensuring ample time spent with the gentle giants in the Sheldrick Wildlife Trusts care. 

As each day wound down, we gathered for dinner under the star-studded sky, followed by an early bedtime. This allowed us to rise refreshed and ready for another day of adventure.

This routine was ours for the four days at Ithumba, and delightful surprises added to each day brought excitement and laughter.The night before our departure, we packed our bags early, ensuring they could be transported ahead to Ithumba with my car. 

We hopped in the open land cruisers and began our trek from the northern sector of Tsavo East to the south, where Galdessa lies nestled along the Galana River.

Despite the long, bumpy, and dusty road, our spirits remained high as the diverse landscapes unfolded before us. Each turn revealed expansive wilderness and showcased the unique habitats where wildlife thrived.

This year, Tsavo surprised us with its lush greenery, a result of abundant rains. This vibrant landscape meant wildlife was dispersed but still around for us to see them thriving in their natural habitats.

A highlights of our retreats is the absence of other vehicles on the road. This sense of exclusivity and privacy is one of the aspects we cherish most about Tsavo. It allowed us to immerse ourselves fully in the wilderness without the distractions of crowds, ensuring a truly authentic and intimate wildlife experience.

Upon our arrival at Galdessa, we wasted no time showering off the red dust of the journey and quickly settled into our accommodations.

Meanwhile, the talented chefs at Galdessa were hard at work preparing a sumptuous lunch for us, with menus designed by Millies Dishes, and we eagerly gathered to indulge in a delightful meal together.

Alice, our masseuse had already been booked up for the week. If you know, you know about her healing hands, and the wisdom she shares is beyond special. Alice is a true asset to our Wildlife & Yoga Retreats.

We gathered for an afternoon yoga session and then headed out for our sundowner.

Our retreat at Galdessa went on in a similar way to Ithumba but with a little less Elephant time and a little more unwinding. From time spent in the pool, observing the wildlife that came to the Galana River out front. We had more time to enjoy bush breakfast and dinner beneath the stars and our sundowners were extra special.

We visited the Voi stockades to see the orphaned elephants enjoy mudbath with their peers and keepers at 11 O'clock.

Sundowners were spent laughing, catching up and reflecting on the day. 

Our Yoga at Galdessa was a duet with Danielle leading a Vinyasa and meditation guided by myself to bring the class to a close. We assessed the group's energy each day to plan the classes to complement each day on Safari. 

This was our life for four nights in Paradise.

As our time in Tsavo drew to a close, we bid farewell to the wilderness with hearts overflowing with gratitude and a treasure trove of memories stored in our minds forever. 

Our guests were picked up by Rift Aviation and flew back to Nairobi where they headed back home with full hearts.