WELLNESS IN THE WILD RETREAT
May 1-9, 2026
I’m so excited to finally share my love for South Africa with you! In May 2026, I’ll be heading back to the African wilderness & you’re invited to join me on a journey of connection, inspiration, and transformation.
This 9-day women only fitness & safari retreat blends mindful movement, conservation work, and wildlife encounters in some of South Africa’s most spectacular settings. Together, we’ll reconnect with nature, nurture our inner selves, and give back to the land and its creatures. This retreat costs $8888, excluding your flights and travel / health insurance - everything else is included!
Stay at Sashwa River Lodge: A serene riverside retreat in the Greater Kruger, with sunrise yoga and evenings by the Olifants River.
Immersive Wellness Retreat: Daily guided practices to ground, restore, and reconnect - with nature as your backdrop.
Hands-On Conservation: Volunteer at Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, the largest of its kind in the world - bottle-feeding calves, observing rehabilitation, and supporting anti-poaching efforts.
Kruger National Park Safari: Witness Africa’s iconic Big Five - elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino - plus giraffe, cheetah, wild dogs, and more.
Bucket-List Stay at Kruger Shalati: Sleep in a luxury train lodge suspended over the Sabie River - one of the most unique stays in Africa.
Community & Connection: Share meals, stories, and moments of reflection with like-minded adventurers on the same journey.
Personal Transformation: Time for journaling, integration, and mindfulness -rediscovering purpose and connection through the wild.
Touch down at Hoedspruit International Airport.
Enjoy a scenic shuttle to Sashwa River of Stars, perched on the banks of the Olifants River in the Greater Kruger. Let the river’s flow and the rustling bush set the tone. Each guest will enjoy the luxury of having their own room!
Meet Claire and the CPT team. We’ll gather for a welcome lunch overlooking the water, then spend the afternoon settling in: getting to know the lodge, exploring the surrounding grounds, perhaps a gentle walk or river viewing to ground ourselves.
Evening dinner together, under the African sky. All meals plant-based.
For four nights we stay at Sashwa River of Stars, our sanctuary in nature. Here’s what this part of the journey will look like, and what life at Sashwa offers:
A luxury safari retreat on a private reserve in Greater Kruger, nestled on the Olifants River floodplain. You’ll often see wildlife gather at the water’s edge right from lodge decks.
The lodge is designed for connection with nature and deep wellness: solar-powered, onsite organic permaculture garden, river views, yoga & meditation spaces, creative studio, and calming indoor/outdoor spaces meant to soothe the senses.
Each morning, awaken with sunrise yoga / breathwork sessions by the river. Let the fresh air, birdcalls, and light on the water guide you.
Meals that are nourishing, plant-based, garden-to-table—fresh, seasonal ingredients. Time to slow down, taste carefully, and enjoy each bite.
Movement: Gentle to more energising movement options available. From walks in the wilderness to flows by the river, to using yoga as strength & restoration.
Workshops & Creative Time: We’ll spend time in the creative studio doing art, journaling, or other expressive practices to help explore what’s calling you. There’ll be periods set aside for silent reflection or grounding.
Wildlife & Safari Drives: Dawn and dusk safari drives into the private game reserve. Guided walks. Observing small and large creatures, from insects and birds to elephants and possibly sightings of big game. Emphasis on slow witnessing, presence, listening.
Relaxation & Restoration: Spa or sauna sessions. Time at the river hide-out. Moments to simply be - reading, resting, meditating. Star gazing at night, letting the dark sky work its magic.
These days are our foundation. They are for letting go of the everyday hustle, reconnecting the body and the spirit, tuning into natural rhythms, and planting seeds of transformation that will grow as we move through the rest of the trip.
When I visited Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary, being there in person opened my eyes in ways I couldn’t have imagined. This isn’t just a place of rescue, it’s a place of real impact. To date, they’ve rescued over 113 rhinos, rehabilitated them, and successfully re-wilded 51 of them. They’ve also seen 29 calves born in the sanctuary, many being moms who were once orphans themselves.
Seeing the work firsthand - the dedicated ICU care, the anti-poaching patrols, and the process of helping these rhinos heal, grow, and return to the wild, deepened my conviction that this is a cause worth pouring my heart into. And I’m so honored to bring you along with me to support this mission.
After four restorative days at Sashwa, we’ll journey deeper into South Africa’s heartland to the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary - the world’s largest orphaned rhino rescue and rehabilitation facility. Our accommodation here is simple yet comfortable: shared cabins with en-suite bathrooms, grounding us in the spirit of volunteering and community.
For two days, we’ll step into the sanctuary’s world and witness the extraordinary dedication it takes to protect one of Africa’s most endangered species. Our time will include:
Assisting in daily care: helping with bottle preparation, observing feedings, and contributing to boma (rhino enclosure) care.
Behind-the-scenes learning: understanding how calves are nurtured from trauma and dependency toward independence and re-wilding.
Meeting the guardians of the sanctuary: from the veterinary team to the K9 anti-poaching unit, learning how each plays a critical role in protecting the rhinos and their ecosystem.
Immersive education: hearing the sobering realities of the poaching crisis, the challenges of conservation, and the hope that re-wilding programs bring for the future of the species.
Reflection & connection: evenings spent under the African stars, processing the day’s experiences and sharing thoughts as a group.
Rhinos are among the most ancient and iconic animals on our planet, yet they are on the brink of extinction due to relentless poaching. By spending time at Care for Wild, we’re not just learning about conservation — we’re actively supporting it. These days are about more than volunteering: they are a reminder of the responsibility we hold to protect what’s left, and the power we each have to make a difference.
To witness a calf that once lost everything now thriving under the sanctuary’s care is deeply humbling. It’s a chance to connect with purpose, to see hope in action, and to walk away knowing we’ve contributed to something far bigger than ourselves.
For the final chapter of our journey, we arrive at one of the most iconic stays in Africa: Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge. This luxury lodge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience - a reimagined train set high on the historic Selati Bridge, suspended above the Sabie River. Each glass-walled carriage offers uninterrupted views of the park and its wildlife, blending contemporary comfort with the thrill of being right in the heart of the wild. This will be a twin-share accommodation too.
Over these two unforgettable days, we’ll:
Embark on open-vehicle safaris, chasing sunrise and sunset across Kruger’s legendary landscapes, where Africa’s Big Five roam freely alongside cheetah, giraffe, wild dog, and countless bird species.
Soak in panoramic views from the train’s decks and pool, watching elephants meander the riverbanks below and listening to the sounds of the bush echo at night.
Unwind in style with beautifully prepared meals, moments of rest, and space to reflect on the journey we’ve shared.
Close with intention: a final group yoga practice and farewell dinner under the stars, celebrating everything we’ve experienced together.
Staying at Kruger Shalati is more than a bucket-list experience - it’s the perfect ending to our expedition. To sleep suspended above one of Africa’s most storied rivers, within the heart of the Kruger itself, is something very few people in the world get to do. It’s where adventure and luxury meet, where you’ll wake to the calls of hippos and fall asleep under vast skies filled with stars.
These days are about celebration - not only of the wilderness we’ve been immersed in, but of the connections, growth, and transformation we’ve shared along the way. It’s the moment we pause, take it all in, and let this journey leave its mark on our hearts.
Our final morning together begins with a sunrise breakfast overlooking the Sabie River, the African bush coming alive one last time as we sip coffee and share quiet reflections. The sounds of the wild, hippos grunting, birds calling, the soft stirrings of a new day - remind us of the magic we’ve been part of.
This is a morning of gratitude: for the landscapes we’ve walked, the rhinos we’ve met, the safaris that took our breath away, the yoga that grounded us, and the connections we’ve made with one another.
After breakfast, we’ll bid farewell to Kruger Shalati and take a short transfer to Skukuza Airport. As we part ways, each of us carries home more than memories: a sense of purpose, inspiration, and the wild within us.
Adventure meets transformation: Yoga, wildlife, and soul-deep connection in the African wilderness. Reconnect with nature. Reconnect with yourself.
1. Pack for Layers
May in South Africa is autumn - days are warm and sunny (20–28°C / 68–82°F), but mornings and evenings can be chilly. Bring light, breathable clothing for the day and a warm jacket or fleece for night safaris and early mornings.
2. Neutral Colors for Safari
Stick to khaki, beige, olive, or brown clothing for game drives. Avoid bright colors (especially white and neon) as they stand out in the bush, and skip dark blue/black which can attract insects.
3. Comfortable Footwear
You’ll need supportive walking shoes/trainers for sanctuary volunteering and sandals or lighter shoes for downtime at the lodges.
4. Yoga Essentials
A travel yoga mat is useful, but mats will also be provided. Pack stretchy, breathable clothing for practice - mornings may be crisp, so layers help here too.
5. Sun Protection
The African sun is strong, even in autumn. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a wide-brim hat.
6. Insect Protection
Although May is outside peak mosquito season, pack insect repellent (preferably DEET-based) for evenings and time in the bush. Lightweight long sleeves help too.
7. Camera & Binoculars
You’ll want both for safari drives. A zoom lens makes a huge difference for wildlife photography.
8. Staying Connected
Wi-Fi is available at Sashwa River Lodge and Shalati Train Hotel, but expect limited or no service at Care for Wild. Embrace this digital detox - it’s part of the magic!
9. A Sense of Adventure
Flexibility is key - whether it’s the sanctuary adjusting to a rescue call or a safari sighting that takes longer than expected, the beauty of Africa is in its unpredictability.
I'm here to help answer any questions you may have to the best of my ability! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:
My team is available to assist with bookings, itinerary queries, and any questions you may have. Your adventure, your transformation, your African story.
DM: @clairepthomas
Email: hello@clairepthomas.com