The retreat runs for three days with check-in from 14:00, and the shape of each day is agreed with Vuyiswa rather than handed to you as a schedule. Sessions draw on guided self-inquiry, nervous system work, shamanic practice, ecotherapy and sound healing, and the framework is flexible enough to follow whatever comes up. Some of the work happens indoors; some of it happens outside among the trees or on the walking trails.

What separates this from a standard wellness weekend is the ratio: one guest, one facilitator, for the whole stay. There is no group circle to sit in and no comparing your process to anyone else's. Eddy Nyarko, a somatic practitioner and sound healer, works alongside Vuyiswa, offering deep tissue massage, lymphatic drainage and other bodywork, plus sound sessions. The highlights listed for the retreat are cleansing, steam therapy, a gentle hike, water therapy and somatic therapy.

Vuyiswa Kayembe founded Awaken Sanctuary for Awareness in South Africa. Her background spans shamanic practice, ecotherapy, sound healing and psycho-spiritual coaching, and she describes her work as psycho-neurological healing — helping people see their recurring patterns and then reorganise around them. She also runs longer private retreats, group retreats, couples retreats and an ancestral reclamation retreat, and offers the same work at a location of your choosing through Awaken.Anywhere.

The setting is the Hartbeespoort region, where the Magaliesberg mountains, open landscape and the Hartbeespoort Dam sit within reach of both Pretoria and Johannesburg. The property has a meditation space, a yoga or movement space, a garden, outdoor relaxation areas and a fire pit. Beyond the gate there is hiking, mountain trails, boat cruises on the dam, the Harties Aerial Cableway, the Lion & Safari Park, craft markets and country restaurants — all independently run, and some need booking, transport and a fee.

Come expecting quiet and a fair amount of looking at your own life, not a packed activity schedule. The food is plain and light, the room is private, and the pace is slow on purpose.

What's included

- 3-day private, personalised retreat at Awaken Sanctuary - Private en-suite bedroom with its own shower (single occupancy) - Bed linen and towels - Hot water - Personalised facilitation with Vuyiswa Kayembe throughout the stay - Guided self-inquiry and nervous system work - Somatic therapy session with Eddy Nyarko - Sound healing - Steam therapy - Water therapy - Gentle hike on the property's nature walking trails - Simple meals of seasonal fruits, vegetables, nuts and herbal teas, with vegetarian options - Wi-Fi - Secure parking - Laundry facilities

What's not included

- Flights - Accommodation (listed as not included in the retreat highlights; the private en-suite room is priced separately at $2,500) - Airport transfers (assistance can be arranged) - Travel insurance - Local activities and excursions, which are independently operated and may carry booking, transport and entry fees - Additional requirements for an Awaken.Anywhere retreat at your own location