Namaste Friends
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My next yoga retreat destination is in months time and is very close to my heart...Kenya, Africa!
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As many of you know, (via social media or in person) my two kids are from Africa (Ethiopia to be specific) and I always have had a special place in my heart for all things African.
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I am very excited to invite you to join me in Kenya for a 6 day holiday, centered around yoga, nature, wild animals as we embark on an adventure of a life time.
I wanted to bring even more value to this retreat and I invited my dear friend and a fellow yoga teacher Omar Sultani to join me as a co-host.
Those who have traveled with me to Sri Lanka and Nepal can share what a gem of a human he is and how much we learned from him, especially when it comes to inversions.
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Having Omar on this retreat will allow for more knowledge to be shared, and for two highly experienced teachers guiding you through the practice, providing skillful hands on adjustments and assists, and helping you advance in your asana practice.
So this is a huge bonus for every participant!
The rates are as per the itinerary above:
* Cost of accommodation on meal plans as indicated
* Cost of all transfers and game-drives conducted in a 4x4 Land Cruiser
* Cost of all park entrance fees as per itinerary
* Services of a professional English-speaking driver guide
* Light Refreshments at Eka Hotel (Tea, Coffee, Pastries)
* Bottled water in the safari vehicle
* Hand Sanitizer in the vehicle
* Dinner at Carnivore Restaurant
* Boat Ride on Lake Naivasha & Nature Walk on Crescent Island
* Visit to Giraffe Centre
* Flying Doctors Evacuation Services
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The rates do not include:
* Expenses of a personal nature e.g., tips, laundry, drinks during meals
* Any extras incurred at the hotel/camp
* Any visa fees
* Any international or domestic airfare unless specified above
* Travel Insurance
Retreat Costs
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Early bird pricing:
Until July 30th,2022
Bookings closed
Regular pricing:
August 1st- Sep 30,2022
AED 6990- shared/twin basis
*Single room occupancy additional
AED 1,200
“Late to the party” pricing:
October 1st- October 15 ,2022(space permitting)
AED 7240- shared/twin basis
*Single room occupancy additional AED 1,200
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You can reserve your spot by paying the
AED 1000 deposit (non-refundable). Please get in touch for bank details.
Update: We have added a few more rooms and as soon as they are booked out the retreat will be waitlisted. Don't wait if you feel a pull to come!
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An idea to consider: Feel free to bring along a friend or a family member. If they are not yogis, that is okay. They can participate as little or as much as they want to.
Kenya Visa:
USD 50 per person, travellers apply for E-Visa online
Additional Optional Experiences:
Maasai Village: USD 25 per person
Hot Air Balloon in Masai Mara USD 375
Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage: USD 15
Airfare Masai Mara-Nairobi: USD 225 per person should you choose to fly back to Nairobi instead of driving back with the group.
Covid Protocol:
Fully Vaccinated persons will not require PCR Tests on Arrival & Departure
Recommended Flights if traveling from Dubai:
Kenya Airways
29th October / Dubai – Nairobi
KQ311 / 01.45am - 5.50am
3rd November / Nairobi – Dubai
KQ310 / 14.10 - 20.25
The itinerary has been carefully crafted to give you the best possible experience. It will allow time for yoga and meditation daily (twice a day), exploration of nature, several safari rides, interaction with Maasai Mara people, hot air ballon experience (if you wish), and so much more, all the while staying in beautiful and stylish accommodation situated in the heart of wilderness.
DAY 1: 29 OCT
ARRIVE NAIROBI, KENYA / LAKE NAIVASHA
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We arrive to Nairobi in the early hours. On our way to Lake Naivasha (2 hour drive) we will first stop for refreshments (tea, coffee, pastries)at Eka Hotel, and arrive Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge by mid morning. Free rest of the day to relax, enjoy the properties and wild animals in the open. Plenty of photo opportunities await! In the afternoon, opening yoga circle and the gentle yoga flow, followed by a dinner.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner and light refreshments after landing
Yoga: Evening
Day 03: 31 OCT
LAKE NAIVASHA / MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
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Morning Yoga & Meditation. After breakfast at the lodge, enjoy a scenic route, in a company of fellow yogis as we drive to the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve (approx. 300 km) arriving in time for lunch.
Later this afternoon, enjoy a game drive in this magnificent reserve. The Maasai Mara is one of the best known and most popular reserves in the whole of Africa. It is an area of gently rolling hills, woodland and acacia trees which is watered by the Mara and Talek rivers and opens onto the Serengeti plains of Tanzania.
In the evening, enjoy a Yoga session at the camp and sunset meditation.
Overnight: Ashnil Mara Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Yoga: Morning & Evening
Day 05: 02 NOV
MAASAI MARA / NAIROBI
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Early in the morning, enjoy a Yoga & Meditation session followed by breakfast at the camp. Drive back to Nairobi and arrive in time for lunch at the hotel.
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Late afternoon gentle Yoga session followed by dinner at the famous Carnivore Restaurant.
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Overnight: Emara Ole Sereni Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Yoga: Morning & Evening
Day 2: 30 Oct
LAKE NAIVASHA
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Energizing Morning Yoga and Meditation session, followed by a breakfast at the lodge.
Mid Morning enjoy a Boat Ride on the Lake followed by a guided Nature Walk on Crescent Island.
A Yoga session in the late afternoon/early evening, followed by dinner.
Overnight: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Yoga: Morning & Evening
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Day 4: 01 NOV
MAASAI MARA GAME RESERVE
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Enjoy an early morning game drives followed by breakfast and a mid-morning Yoga session at the camp.
After lunch at the camp, enjoy another late afternoon game drive. The area is home to a huge variety of game including lion, leopard, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest (gnu), giraffe, buffalo, jackal, topi, gazelle, impala and
elephant. Sightings of hippos and crocodiles are also common.
You may also wish to visit a Maasai village one afternoon, which will present you with a unique opportunity for insights into their culture as well as their daily life. (Optional)
Return to camp for a Yoga session and to share memories around the campfire at night.
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Overnight: Ashnil Mara Tented Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Yoga: Morning & Evening
Day 06: 03 NOV
NAIROBI/DEPART
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Enjoy an early morning yoga session at the hotel followed by breakfast. Visit the Giraffe Centre and later we transfer to the airport for our onward flight back home.
Meals: Breakfast
Yoga: Morning Session
My Nepal retreat sold out within just few days and I anticipate this retreat will resonate with many as well. To secure your spot there is a AED 1000
non-refundable deposit. Flights recommendation is also listed in the itinerary and prices are very attractive if you secure your tickets soon.
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Looking forward to sharing this African experience
with you,
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All my love,
Danica
Here is what some of the previous groups had to say
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" Amazing yoga experience in paradise - I feel incredibly grateful to have been on this yoga and meditation retreat in beautiful Sri Lanka, with the most amazing teacher Danica Al Kharfan. For the longest time I’ve wanted to go on a yoga retreat, but never found the one that just felt right.
I was meant to go home for Christmas, but thanks to covid my plans got cancelled and for some reason, I found Danica. It was actually a very stressful and emotional time for me as I was so excited to go home for the holidays, but life had other plans for me. I did not know anything about Danica before this retreat, but I am so grateful that her post (randomly) appeared on my Instagram feed… it was fate!
From that first message I sent to Danica, I just felt at ease, and I knew that she was going to be someone special on my yoga journey. She was so encouraging, supportive, helpful and I’ll never forget what she said to me: “Don’t stress. It will all work out one way or the other. Take your time to make the right decision for you. It will all come together. Don’t stress.” And that is exactly what happened!!
I can’t stop talking about this amazing yoga experience…. from the perfect location, the structure of the days on the retreat, meditation each morning, the asana practice, the lovely yogis, our teacher and the deep connections that were formed. My first yoga retreat has really set the bar very high!! I have been doing yoga for many years and have had many teachers on my yoga path but none like Danica and I am eternally grateful that I met her. She has so much experience and made every practice different and challenging. I can honestly say that my yoga practice (asana, meditation, pranayama) has deepened on all levels.
Danica has the ability to connect with every person and is sensitive to each person’s needs. She has the ability to challenge you in each asana practice and once you are in the flow, you don’t want the practice to stop (we went on for more than 2hours some days). Even though I have done some postures a million times I feel that I have learned so much from her just by simple adjustments or tips she has given us. Danica also encouraged me to try some postures for the first time and helped me to get my “head” out of a headstand and handstand and overcome my fear!
Danica has so much compassion and love for others and passion for what she does, and this retreat has been the best 6 days. She is a such a generous teacher with so much knowledge and experience. I did not only find a teacher but also a friend in Danica. Anyone will become a “richer” person for spending time on a yoga retreat with her. 1000% recommend this amazing teacher. Sign me up for your next retreat Danica! "
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Lee A H
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" Danica is a wonderful and wise soul. Beyond being an amazing yoga teacher she is such a loving, caring and compassionate being.
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I had the pleasure to experience her Yoga and Meditation retreat in Zanzibar. In this beautiful and totally natural surrounding we went on a journey into our inner selves. Starting each day with a sunrise meditation at the beach followed by an extraordinary yoga class, we explored the island together. From a cultural tour in Stone Town, swimming with the dolphins to a meditation in a shelter in the mangroves, it was such a blissful time with lovely people. Danica was preparing our yoga and inner self work sessions in the Yoga Shala always with all of her heart. Whether strong vinyasa flow or Yin Yoga, she always knew exactly what we needed. All of her Yoga classes are so complete and beautiful - sharing her thoughts and beloved quotes in the end.
This retreat was not just an escape from the hustle and bustle of Dubai into this graceful place in Zanzibar, it was also a journey into the depths of our soul. Furthermore it created a wonderful community out of the individuals we have been in the beginning - held together by Danica. Thank you for all the wisdom, good energy and dedication your shared with us. You really live Yoga as an art.
Thank you for always being there for me and taking care of everyone of us."
Jenny Traesch, Dubai
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“ It has been short but a very impressive and an unforgettable journey : my 3 day Yoga retreat with Danica.
Her professionalism, her humble nature, combined with her amazing teaching skills made this retreat truly an unforgettable one.
Also the Yogis who joined the retreat were well chosen and were nearly all were on the same level.
Danica, very carefully picked up a super venue for this retreat ( Jebel Ali Resort) and outdoor facilities added a great value to our practices.
I would recommend Danica’s retreats to all Yogis who would like to enjoy perfect Yoga practices in beautiful surroundings. "
Lale Ansingh Veral, Dubai
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" Danica's Yoga Retreat was held in the beautiful, tropical beach resort of Jebel Ali Resort with lush vegetation and roaming peacocks. Danica took care of every detail to make the retreat special, from freshly made vegetable juices and gifts in the rooms, to carefully chosen menus with vegan options (all meals were included) and infused water on the beach. The schedule was perfect, challenging but with enough time during the day to relax and recuperate. We started with a beautiful sunrise meditation and pranayama, followed by a 2 hour energetic vinyasa yoga. A delicious breakfast followed and then free time for the beach or the many activities the resort has to offer. In the late afternoon, we had another pranayama and talk session followed by a slower yoga class full of deep stretches. The classes were a perfect mix of movement, stretching, and balance, with options for deeper more advanced asanas.
The whole weekend was blissful and just went by too quickly! "
Ivana Okereke, Dubai