Luxury Safari & Yoga Reset in South Africa's Free State

The retreat runs for seven days and six nights on Namaskar's private reserve near Boshof, in South Africa's Free State province. A typical day begins at 06:30 with a sunrise game drive across the reserve — guides stop partway through for bush coffee and a snack — then returns for an 08:00 Vinyasa-inspired yoga class. Brunch is served family-style at 09:30, after which the afternoon is free: swim in the pool overlooking the watering hole, soak in the wood-fired hot tub, book a massage, or join an optional horseback safari, guided bush walk or scenic helicopter flight. At 15:00 there's a Mediterranean mezze spread, then Yin yoga and guided meditation at 16:45, a South African wine tasting at 18:15 on some days, and a family-style dinner at 19:15.

What separates this from a standard safari lodge is that yoga and wellness are built into the daily structure rather than added on. You get two practices a day, a spa treatment included, and vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, pescatarian, dairy-free, lactose-free and high-protein diets all catered for with advance notice. Unlike a typical yoga retreat, the setting is a working wildlife reserve — you're doing sun salutations to the sound of the bush and eating brunch while animals move past the waterhole.

The retreat is led by Hanneke du Toit, who has practised yoga and meditation for over a decade and studied Vinyasa, Ashtanga and Yin in India and Cape Town. She left a career in corporate engineering to teach and has run retreats internationally before returning to South Africa to start this one. She leads the yoga, meditation and much of the hosting herself, with a small team handling game drives, spa treatments and the kitchen.

Accommodation is split between the Main Lodge, a Deluxe Private Suite and a Deluxe Villa, all on the reserve and all with en-suite bathrooms. Rooms have garden or waterhole views, premium linens, daily housekeeping and Wi-Fi. The Deluxe Suite adds a private terrace, living area, kitchenette and a bathtub; the two-bedroom villa has its own terrace, full kitchen, living room and waterhole views. Everything is within walking distance of the pool, hot tub and dining areas.

The reserve is roughly a 90-minute drive from Kimberley Airport (KIM), which has regular domestic connections from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Complimentary return transfers from Kimberley are included, and the team meets guests on arrival. Many nationalities can enter South Africa visa-free for short stays, though requirements vary by passport and guests are asked to check with their nearest embassy before travelling. Pack yoga clothes, walking shoes or boots, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear and a warm jacket for early game drives.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation on the private 8,500-acre reserve - All meals from bush coffee and brunch to afternoon mezze and family-style dinner - Twice-daily yoga and meditation sessions - Sunrise and afternoon guided safari game drives - One luxury spa treatment - Curated South African wine tasting - Guided bush walks - Complimentary return airport transfers from Kimberley Airport - Tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day - Daily housekeeping and Wi-Fi

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Optional helicopter flights - Additional spa treatments - Horseback safari (optional extra) - Curio shop purchases - Gratuities