Wellness and Wilderness Retreats in Africa

Just being outdoors in Africa will do the trick, but the wide range of accommodation options will elevate the experience for you. From sunrise yoga, pilates or tai chi classes as you look out on a watering hole bustling with animals to intensely relaxing massages, floating chambers, mud facials and steam rooms. Or perhaps you want something more holistic with sound healing, hydrotherapy, detoxing, nourishing food, and meditation sessions. There are many experiences to enjoy, some so unique they might surprise you! And almost all of the time, they come with an incredible view of elephants shuffling past or ocean views as far as the eye can see.

The short answer? Anywhere! There's a saying that goes: ""Nature is our greatest healer."" And Africa is one of the few places left on earth where nature still reigns. Every African destination will have some spa or wellness offering to give you some well-deserved relaxation. Whether it's at a luxury lodge in Kruger National Park like Londolozi's Healing House, on the Indian Ocean island such as Mauritius, the Maldives, Seychelles, Madagascar or Mozambique, on an East African Great Migration Safari in Tanzania or Kenya, and even gorilla trekking in Rwanda. Even in bustling cities like Cape Town, you can take your pick.

Depending on where you go, you will either have a set itinerary or select your own experiences from their menu. These often include spa treatments, physical exercises such as yoga, meditation, detox treatments, and more. Most of the wellness retreats will have dedicated spaces that you can use at your leisure, such as meditation decks, daybeds, detox juice bars, plunge pools, and more.

The short definition of a wildlife retreat is a place where you go to promote relaxation and physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing while being surrounded by Africa's wildlife. It focuses on taking you to the most remote African landscapes to find solitude and inner peace. The idea is to help you reconnect with nature and yourself.

1. Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park
   Londolozi's Healing House at their Varty Camp is renowned for its wellness experience, promoting rejuvenation and connection. From being surrounded by nothing but the bush and its wildlife residents to their signature Sound Therapy, artful resting practices, bodywork and yoga lessons, it's a gentle process of self-healing and reconnecting with yourself and nature.
    
2. Babylonstoren, Cape Winelands
   The Cape Winelands are also very well-known for their many wellness offerings, such as Babylonstoren's dreamy gardens and working farm, home to accommodation, farm-to-table restaurants, and most notably, their Garden Spa offering. This heaven on earth setting is like an oasis of peace for any weary traveller.
    
3. Bushmanskloof, Cape Town
   A five-star luxurious wellness retreat in the Cederberg mountains, Bushmanskloof is designed to help you recuperate in an area steeped in Bushman history. Feed body, mind, and soul by indulging in authentic, organic Cape cuisine, viewing the open-air rock art gallery, treating your sense to their natural spa, or reconnecting with nature with one of their many outdoor activities.
    
4. Mombo, Botswana
   This 'place of plenty' is rich in Mother Nature's finest, from unique flora and fauna and plains teeming with game. And at Mombo Camp, you have the best view from their spacious en-suite tents set on raised platforms and complete with a private plunge pool, sala, verandah, indoor and outdoor showers. And with a spa, gym, and 12.5-metre lap pool, as well as a full-time yoga instructor, this is the wildlife wellness retreat your soul is longing for.
    
5. Singita Sabora Tented Camp, Tanzania 
   Everything at Singita Sabora is carefully designed to take you back to the basics but in complete luxury. From the private meditation deck, outdoor sala, daybeds, fitness area, and plenty of picnic spots, it's a place to find rest in Africa's wild. They further enhance this by their Wellness Offering, from massage spaces to tailor-made therapy; their goal is to bring peace and vibrant energy to your soul.
   
   
6. Chem Chem, Tanzania
   Chem Chem is all about entirely immersing yourself in Tanzania's surroundings, from the wild spaces, wildlife, cuisine, and culture. Their setting is enough to bring your soul rest. Still, they further enhance this with indulgent body massages, hot air balloon safaris for a different perspective, running with the Maasai, animal tracking, night safaris, helicopter flips, and much, much more.
    
7. One&Only Gorilla's Nest, Rwanda
   Gorilla trekking is a deeply spiritual experience, tugging at your heartstrings as you meet the eyes of one of your closest yet last remaining relatives. At One&Only Gorilla's Nest, the focus is on making you feel at one with nature with unique treatments based on traditional African wisdom to help you unplug and recharge.
    
8. Angama Mara, Kenya
   You'll feel as if you're floating at Angama Mara, suspended in mid-air to show you the most remarkable sweeping views of the Great Rift Valley. With only 15 tented suites, you have never-ending vistas to yourself, or you can embark on a hot air balloon safari for an even better view! Wellness offerings and facilities include pampering massage treatments on the deck, access to the gym, yoga, rim-flow swimming pool, and more. If you want to tap into the local culture, you can do anything from Maasai beading classes or cultural tours in neighbouring villages. Or simply sit back on their famous red rocking chairs and watch the wildlife go by.