South Africa
Wild Thing
Yoga & Safari Retreat
November 7th-11th 2025
There is a place where the earth still hums with ancient rhythms, where elephants wander freely, the river flows slow and golden, and silence stretches wide like the sky.
The Wild Thing Yoga & Safari Retreat is a sacred pause in the heart of the Greater Kruger National Park. Held at Sashwa River of Stars, a plant-based wellness safari lodge perched on the banks of the Olifants River, this retreat invites you to reconnect with the one that is wild, wise, and alive within you.
Here, comfort meets raw beauty. Thoughtfully designed rooms open onto the wilderness, allowing nature to hold you while offering gentle luxuries.
Between yoga practices, soul-rooted workshops, and daily game drives, you’ll have time to simply be. Stretch out beside the river. Watch giraffes move across the horizon, soak in the sun, and journal under acacia trees.
This retreat is an invitation to rest and remember.
To return your wilderness within.
To feel the medicine of the land.
To remember that we are whole and complete just as we are.
And the heart of it all? Sashwa is a non-profit, so your stay directly supports Koru Camp, a conservation initiative that empowers local communities through education and environmental stewardship. This is travel that gives back, not just to you, but to the land and the lives that sustain it.
Introducing Sashwa River of Stars
Sashwa River of Stars takes its name from the majestic river we overlook. As the sunlight sparkles and shimmers on the flowing water, it mirrors the Milky Way’s ethereal beauty visible in the night sky—a phenomenon often referred to as the River of Stars. Nestled in a pristine wilderness oasis, our lodge features twelve exquisitely crafted suites, each thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, offering opportunities to observe birdlife in the gardens and a diverse array of wildlife gathering at the water’s edge.
Our journey began with a profound passion for the African wilderness and a vision to redefine safari experiences. Driven by a deep love for nature and a commitment to conservation, we embarked on creating a retreat where guests could fully immerse in the transformative power of the wilderness.
At the heart of this vision was a sustainable profit model to support Koru Camp, a non-profit community education initiative within the reserve. This blend of sustainability and a desire to foster deep connections with the wilderness inspired the creation of Sashwa.
Our vision encompasses three intertwined pillars: empowering local communities, conservation and sustainability, and fostering meaningful connection and transformational nature-led experiences for people in the African wilderness. We believe Mother Nature is sentient— guided by a Nature-first ethos, every choice we make and every detail at Sashwa has been crafted with care to reflect our commitment to honoring her and providing an unforgettable experience.
By reconnecting people with nature, we unlock the potential for true transformation. In returning to the wild, we rediscover purpose, protect what matters, and imagine a world shaped by harmony and connection. We invite you to experience the love and soul woven into the fabric of Sashwa and find inspiration, healing, and transformation during your time with us in the African wilderness.
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Wholesome Meals
The kitchen is the heartbeat of Sashwa, dedicated to crafting delicious, nourishing, and balanced plant-based meals. Embracing a garden-to-table philosophy, our organic permaculture garden yields the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, complemented by locally sourced produce from sustainable farms. Every dish is a culinary delight designed not only to satisfy the palate but also to nourish the body at a cellular level.
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Creative Art Studio
Our creative art studio is equipped with a variety of artistic tools and mediums, just waiting for you to unleash your creative expression. The creative process can be a healing and therapeutic experience, or it can assist in fostering greater creativity and fun throughout your life. This is about the experience, not the end product, and we invite you to adopt an exploratory mindset to let the process unfold without judgment. Head to the studio, choose your supplies and create to your heart’s content!
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Safari Drives
Embark on dawn or dusk (from the afternoon) safari drives across our private game reserve, guided by our skilled wilderness experts who share their wisdom, insights and interpretations with you as together you explore the land and encounter the wildlife that we share a home with. We embrace a culture of deep awareness and respect towards the wildlife and the wilderness we move through. Expect moments of silence and wonder, appreciating both small creatures and larger wildlife.
While encounters with “The Big 5” are possible, our focus is on meaningful connections with all wildlife. We embrace the local Shangaan saying, “a leopard chooses to reveal itself to us,” reflecting our respect for nature’s mysteries. Our reserve, part of the Greater Kruger Biosphere, allows wildlife to roam freely across over 2 million hectares.
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Himalayan Crystal Infrared Sauna
Our state-of-the-art himalayan crystal infrared sauna can be found within our Wholeness Center. Infrared saunas assist the body by gentle detoxing, improving circulation and inflammation, and deeply relaxing the body.
The himalayan crystals produce negative ions in the air when heated, which have been shown to relieve anxiety, reduce stress, improve sleep, clear the air of allergens and pollutants, and boost your immune system. You are breathing in pure mineral rich air, and absorbing up to 84 different trace minerals through your skin, assisting in promoting detoxification and deep relaxation.
Pricing & Accommodation
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Standard Suite
2 rooms available
Double Occupancy (per person/sharing)
R24 000 or 1850CAD
Single Occupancy (Private Room)
R34 000 or 2600CAD
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Garden Suite
5 rooms available
Double Occupancy (per person/sharing)
R28 000 or 2200CAD
Single Occupancy (Private Room)
R38 000 or 2900CAD
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Luxury Garden or Riverfront Suites
4 rooms available
Double Occupancy (per person/sharing)
R35 000 or 2700CAD
Single Occupancy (Private Room)
R45 000 or 3500CAD
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Premier Riverfront Suite
1 room available
Double Occupancy (per person/sharing)
R40 000 or 3000CAD
Single Occupancy (Private Room)
R50 000 or 3800CAD
What’s Included
4 nights accommodation at Sashwa River of Stars
3 wholesome, plant-based, organic, seasonally inspired meals per day
Healthy cold/warm beverages including a selection of Painted Wolf conservation wines
Available snacks throughout the day from our snack jar fridge
Use of contemplative and meditative specially curated spaces
Time out in our relaxation wildlife watching hide
Wholeness facilities: gym, himalayan crystal infrared sauna, yoga spaces, swimming pool
Daily yoga & meditation sessions with additional workshops
A curated itinerary designed to access your wilderness within
Use of our Creative Studio on a self creative basis
Daily safari drives and wilderness walks accompanied by an experienced guide
Laundry service
Wifi access in dedicated areas
What’s Not Included
Domestic/International Airfare
Travellers insurance (not required, but recommended)
Additional Activities; massages, star gazing from our romantic star bath, private art sessions when there’s an artist in residence
Transport to and from the reserve
Airport transfers
Sashwa team gratuities at your discretion
FAQs
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There are daily flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to Hoedspruit Airport. From there you can get a road transfer to the lodge which is about a 1h20min scenic drive through the Greater Kruger Park.
Your road transfers to and from Hoedspruit (Eastgate) International Airport to Sashwa can be arranged by us in advance at an additional cost. (we will try to arrange a group to transfer together to reduce this cost, max cost is R1500) Our driver will meet your flight with a welcome board and a refreshment and you will be driven in an air-conditioned vehicle through the Greater Kruger entrance gate enjoying some wildlife spotting en route to the lodge.
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Of course! You can join alone, with friends, with family, with a partner, or however you like. If you register for a double occupancy spot, we'll pair you up with someone of the same gender.
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Payment and Deposit
In order to reserve your spot on this retreat, a 50% deposit is required. Full payment is due 60 days prior to the retreat. Final payment to be received by September 9th 2025
Refunds and Cancellation
All deposits are non-refundable as these are used immediately to support the planning and prepping process of the retreat. If you must cancel after making your final payment, we can only offer you a refund if we are able to fill your space with another attendee. We are responsible for paying our venues + vendors for your space regardless of whether you join. The sooner you can let us know of your cancellation, the more likely we will be able to fill your space and therefore work with you on a possible refund or transfer to a different retreat.
Cancellation by Sashwa or Myself
If Sashwa or Christie cancel this retreat for any reason, including Force Majeur, they are not responsible for loss of funds in association with travel costs made by the guest. Refunds for the retreat itself will default to Sashwa’s cancellation policy found on their website.
Reserve my spot
Please fill out the form below. Once complete we will email you with payment details and confirmation.