Name: Kenya Retreat!
Start: 2024-02-15T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-02-22T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Mary Horne

Email address verified

16 reviews

Feb 15 - 22, 2024

Group size: 1 - 17

Kenya Retreat!

Nairobi, Kenya

Book Now

Download Brochure

Mary Horne

Email address verified

16 reviews

Feb 15 - 22, 2024

Group size: 1 - 17

I am thrilled to invite you to join me on an epic retreat and service trip to Nairobi, Kenya!

Founded in 1997, Growth Through Learning (GTL) is an organization that supports education and development in East Africa by providing full secondary education scholarships for exceptional young women in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania who would otherwise be unable to afford an education beyond primary school. GTL encourages cross-cultural exchange of information and ideas, especially promoting women’s empowerment in East Africa.

On this retreat, not only will we visit with scholars of one of the GTL schools and visit with some alumnae, we will also embark on a full once-in-a-lifetime yoga retreat with daily yoga practices, amazing tours of local farms and forests and a add-on 2 night visit to the famous Maasai Mara.

This trip was truly birthed out of a desire I have to make a lasting impact through my work not just on my immediate community, but on a greater scope. GTL is an organization that immediately spoke to my heart and the more I have learned about the work they do, the more I feel confident this trip is the right one at the right time.

On our retreat, we will visit with some of the scholars and alumnae of GTL to help motivate, inspire and connect with them.

I will also be donating a large portion of the proceeds of this trip to GTL, so your money is not just going to your experience, but each of your bookings will provide a young girl with books, housing and schooling for a semester at GTL.

I, sadly, can not attend the retreat, but how can I still help GTL?

While I would love for you to join the retreat, you can absolutely still make an impact by donating directly to GTL via their website, https://growththroughlearning.org/donate/. They make it so simple to choose your donation amount and see EXACTLY where your donation is going!

I've never been on a yoga retreat, can I still join?

Absolutely!!! My retreats are always all levels and an amazing opportunity to deepen you practice from wherever you are now. We will practice many different modalities of yoga including Vinyasa, restorative, myofascial release, meditation and more!

Do I need any vaccinations to travel to Kenya?

Please speak to your doctor for guidance related to your specific health conditions.

Do I need a visa?

Yes. You will need to apply for a Category 2 Tourism Visa within 3 months of travel. The cost is $51 USD. I am happy to help you with all of this when the time comes!

What is the weather like in February?

February is dry season in Kenya with temperatures ranging from 72-82 degrees F.

What is the official language of Kenya?

Swahili! English is also an official language, and we will always be with local guides to be sure we can communicate on our adventures!

On Land Transport
Once you land at NBO, all transportation will be organized for you throughout the entire stay
7 Night Accomodation
We will be staying in a newly renovated house with a beautiful garden, pool deck and ensuite bedrooms
Meals
All meals at the house will be provided for you, with dietary restrictions in mind
Trip to Karoti
A visit to the Karoti school to meet with the students of the school and see first hand the incredible work of GTL
Game Drive at NNF
An early morning extensive game drive to Nairobi National Forest
Kiambetu Farm
A tea growing experience at Kiambetu Farm
Karura Forest
Yoga and lunch at Karura Forest and time to shop for African artifacts and gifts at Maasai Market
Daily Yoga
Daily yoga and meditation onsite at our shared house

Single Room

PRIVATE ACCOMMODATION FOR 1

Great option for a solo traveler wanting a private room.

All rooms have private ensuite baths.

$5,500

Deposit:$500

Past Trip

Twin Room

SHARED ROOM FOR 2 WITH 2 BEDS

Best option for a solo traveler comfortable sharing a room with someone I will, with good judgement, pair you with.

All rooms have private ensuite baths.

$5,250

Deposit:$500

Past Trip

Double Room

SHARED ROOM FOR 2 WITH 1 BED

Best option for 2 travelers traveling together who are comfortable sharing a bed.

All rooms have private ensuite baths.

***PLEASE NOTE, IF THIS ROOM IS BOOKED SOLO, THE PER PERSON PRICE WILL BE HIGHER***

$5,250

Deposit:$500

Past Trip

2 Nights at "The Mara"

$1,280

Deposit: $0

For a true safari experience, join me for 2 nights/ 3 days at the famous Maasai Mara National Game Reserve! Contact me for details!

Spa Treatment

$70

Your choice of Shiatsu or Deep Tissue massage on property at the house we will be staying at!

8 Day Kenya Retreat
8 Day Kenya Retreat
ALL ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
DAY 1, THURSDAY 2/15

Arrive Nairobi from New York. Evening yoga practice to stretch out the flight.

DAY 2, FRIDAY 2/16

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a leisurely day to relax, get massages and

wade off the jetlag. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.

DAY 3, SATURDAY 2/17

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a visit to Elephant Orphanage.

Lunch at Karen Blixen Gardens then return to the hotel for evening yoga and dinner.

DAY 4, SUNDAY 2/18

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a drive to Karoti Girls School for the GTL project visit followed by lunch either at the school or by private arrangements. Dinner at the hotel

DAY 5, MONDAY 2/19

Early morning visit to Nairobi National Park for an extensive game drive. Return to the hotel for rest, yoga, massages and dinner.

DAY 6, TUESDAY 2/20

Early morning walk at Karura forest followed by brunch at The River Café within Karura Forest. Afterwards visit to the Maasai Market to buy gifts and African artifacts. Return to the hotel for an evening yoga session.

DAY 7, WEDNESDAY 2/21

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a drive to Kiambetu Farm to experience a tea growing experience. Return to the hotel and prepare for dinner at Nairobi Street kitchen.

DAY 8, THURSDAY 2/22

Easy morning with yoga, breakfast, and lunch . Evening drop off at the airport for a flight back home or prepare to travel to Maasai Mara for 2 night safari experience.
Read more

8 Day Kenya Retreat

ALL ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

DAY 1, THURSDAY 2/15

Arrive Nairobi from New York. Evening yoga practice to stretch out the flight.

DAY 2, FRIDAY 2/16

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a leisurely day to relax, get massages and

wade off the jetlag. Lunch and dinner at the hotel.

DAY 3, SATURDAY 2/17

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a visit to Elephant Orphanage.

Lunch at Karen Blixen Gardens then return to the hotel for evening yoga and dinner.

DAY 4, SUNDAY 2/18

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a drive to Karoti Girls School for the GTL project visit followed by lunch either at the school or by private arrangements. Dinner at the hotel

DAY 5, MONDAY 2/19

Early morning visit to Nairobi National Park for an extensive game drive. Return to the hotel for rest, yoga, massages and dinner.

DAY 6, TUESDAY 2/20

Early morning walk at Karura forest followed by brunch at The River Café within Karura Forest. Afterwards visit to the Maasai Market to buy gifts and African artifacts. Return to the hotel for an evening yoga session.

DAY 7, WEDNESDAY 2/21

Morning yoga and breakfast followed by a drive to Kiambetu Farm to experience a tea growing experience. Return to the hotel and prepare for dinner at Nairobi Street kitchen.

DAY 8, THURSDAY 2/22

Easy morning with yoga, breakfast, and lunch . Evening drop off at the airport for a flight back home or prepare to travel to Maasai Mara for 2 night safari experience.

16 reviews

Mary Horne is a 700+ hour RYT based in NYC. Coming from a background as both a professional dancer and a personal trainer, Mary approaches teaching yoga with both expressive artistry as well as precise functional alignment. Leading retreats has become a passion as it allows for people to break out of their routines and day to day lives to gain a greater perspective and awareness of themselves while simultaneously immersing in a new culture, with new like-minded people. While not teaching yoga, you can find Mary loving all the excitement NYC has to offer, or lounging on a beach taking in the slower, simpler moments.

Words cannot do justice for the amazing experiences Mary creates- her retreats have been the best gifts I’ve given to myself! She brings such a positive energy and passion for creating an environment in which we can connect and enjoy yoga along with fun activities in beautiful places. She takes such great care to ensure that all participants are happy and safe, and that the accommodations are top notch. I know that I can join Mary for a retreat anywhere and have an amazing experience that brings me home feeling restored and revitalized. The Azores was such a magical corner of the world and Mary made sure we were all able to enjoy the best of the island while also having time to rest and recharge. Thank you again for making such a wonderful experience possible!

By Martha E for Reconnection, a Yoga Retreat in the Azores on Aug 20, 2024

Every retreat with Mary has exceeded the previous one! The Azores was a beautiful retreat filled with amazing energy and great vibes! Mary knows how to give her guest a wide range of options from hiking mountains to relaxing by the pool! And she takes everyone’s daily activities into consideration in her morning flows and evening restoratives!

By Martina R for Reconnection, a Yoga Retreat in the Azores on Aug 16, 2024

The retreat was amazing - a once in a lifetime experience. Mary planned the trip extremely thoughtfully. It included everything your heart desires - vinyasa & restorative yoga, sunrise mediations, myofascial release sessions, yummy food, pool & spa time, trips around the island, spontaneous star gazing - the list goes on and on. I came home with new friends, a tan & feeling more centered than I have in a very long time. Thank you Mary for a beautiful week. I cannot wait for the next trip.

By Nele M for Reconnection, a Yoga Retreat in the Azores on Aug 13, 2024

Tulum was absolutely amazing. I particularly loved watching the sun rise and set and hearing the sound of the ocean during our practices. Mary is such a warm and kind teacher and does a great job balancing practices that focus on strength, rest, release, and mindfulness. It is always wonderful spending time with Mary and the incredible group of yogis she brings together!

By Lauren A for Tulum Winter Getaway on Feb 24, 2023

The Tulum Winter Getaway with Mary was wonderful, I highly recommend! Mary started the day providing us with an insightful journal prompt and a vinyasa flow class that was both invigorating and relaxing. I really love how Mary's classes involve both stretching and strengthening the body, and focusing the mind. She offers challenging movements in the practice, and the option to meet yourself where you are that day, which I love. I ended up feeling balanced and refreshed from each of the classes, which is ideal! The location at Amansala was lovely - ocean view open-air classes, nothing compares! You can find on the retreat a multitude of people, so you'll find someone to match your interests during the free time - e.g., shopping, visiting cultural sites, catching up, reading or napping on the beach, dining out, solo time - it's laid back. In the afternoons, Mary taught classes that complemented the morning classes, and went deeper into aspects of yoga I really enjoy and you can't get as often in NYC, such as myofascial release, longer meditations, and restorative yoga. I stayed in a nice triple room with 2 lovely roommates, 1 I had met on another retreat with Mary, 1 I had not, and it was comfortable and relaxing to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean. Oh, how can I forget to mention, the food was incredible - fresh, balanced, ¡deliciosa! The complementary massage and Temazcal ceremonies were lovely as well. Tulum is a busy tourist location, so you can expect to see a number of other Americans also on yoga retreats and other vacations. The staff at Amansala were very welcoming and it's no problem if you don't speak Spanish in Tulum. Definitely recommend!!