Yoga and Elephant Conservation Experience in Namibia

Sept 2 to Sept 7, 2024

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Yoga and Elephant Conservation Experience in Namibia
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Location
  • Things to keep in mind
  • FAQ

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Learn from the Elephants, deepening your sense of connection to these living beings. Their traits include wisdom, strength, loyalty, patience and strong bonds - and with mindful movements and meditation, we too can accomplish this.

Highlights:

Learn about and spend some time with the Desert adapted Elephant.

NGO talks to conserve these small, special populations of desert dwelling elephants and to help the people that live with them.

Visit three different tribal groups from Namibia - the Damaras, Hereros and Himbas.

Visit to the local school that EHRA (Elephant Human Relations Aid) supports and hear how they live with the elephants.

Visit a local farm where we will be spending the day helping to protect a vegetable garden or water point.

Part of your retreat costs are going towards a donation for EHRA’s projects.

Damaraland is known for its scenic and fascinating beauty and it’s also where you will find the free-roaming Desert Adapted Elephant.

For 6 days we will join EHRA, the Elephant-Human Relations Aid, who has helped build peaceful relationships between free-roaming desert elephants and local communities in Namibia. EHRA has studied these elephants for the past 18 years and we will assist the EHRA experts on tracking the elephants, get taught how to identify them and witness some interesting behaviors specific to the desert elephants. The art of tracking is becoming a forgotten skill and it is fascinating to learn how you can tell how old their dung is, which way the elephants are walking and whether it is a male or female.

Sleep under the stars

Our camp is an eco camp site at the EHRA base camp with the most amazing view over the Ugab River, there where the elephants roam! The camp has solar heated showers and composting toilets, all materials are mostly recycled and clay walls made in traditional ways. We will stay here for our first 2 nights and then set up camp the following 2 nights wherever we find the elephants. We will all participate in cooking dinner over the fire, sitting and chatting until we fall asleep under the stars! The last night we are back at base camp.. 

Your yoga experience…

Every afternoon we will do a short nature walk and as the sun begins to set, we will ground ourselves and move slowly with our breaths, taking in the natural landscapes, simply being and living in the moment. They say the human mind is like the trunk of an elephant - it goes here, there, constantly moving through thoughts and sensations, it never rests. Here, in the wilderness, you have the unique opportunity to tame that mind, listening, feeling and becoming still. Morning yoga sessions will be followed by breakfast also made over the fire before heading out for the days conservation activities.

About

5 Nights accommodation in tents with bedrolls and bedding.

All mentioned activities, yoga, and meditation out in nature.

Private cook/3 meals per day, EHRA Guide, transport from Swakopmund to Camp and back to Swakopmund.

2x airport transfers (Walvis Bay Airport).

Welcoming gift

Donation to EHRA.

International flights.

Travel insurance.

Bottled water and alcoholic beverages.

Gratuity.

Private cook/3 meals per day and 5 Nights accommodation in tents with bedrolls and bedding.

Comfortable lightweight clothing 

Sweater or jacket 

Comfortable walking shoes and sandals 

Sunblock 

Sunscreen 

Sunglasses 

Swimwear 

Toiletries (some will be supplied), yoga mat ( yoga mats and props are supplied in Namibia, but you will have to bring your own mat if you book a retreat in Botswana) 

Camera 

For electrical small appliances or chargers - a conversion plug to a three-pin type outlet.

Visa

Each country is different - you will find more information on each yoga listing. If you need a letter of invitation, please let us know and we will assist you.

Insurance

We provide Passenger Liability Insurance, but we recommend to take out your own travel insurance.

"This is a real gift to give yourself! Namibia with its wildlife and beautiful landscapes is simply stunning! The yoga was perfectly balanced and just what you needed to recharge and renew your batteries. It truly has been an amazing experience. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect..."

- Annette, Sweden

"Absolutely phenomenal trip and worth every penny. It was the perfect balance of yoga, wildlife, adventure, and relaxation, and I left feeling like I truly saw Namibia. It was a great group of people, and Marcel is wonderful and so welcoming and knowledgeable about the country. 100% highly recommend!"

- Lauren, USA

"The most perfect trip to all of Namibia's highlights! Marcel was the most amazing guide and made sure our trip was the best it could be every step of the way. Having the chance to do yoga every day was a nice way to carve out time to reflect on the long, exciting days we had. Definitely will be signing up for another trip with Marcel soon!!"

- Meriel, USA

“Thank you for another wonderful retreat. I love the experiences that come each day. A colleague asked why I like going to Africa, and for me its easy. I love that I can lie in bed at night and hear lions, hippos, hyena, jackals etc, that is why I love being out in the bush. I love your Namibia, and hope to return again for another visit. The tented lodge was amazing, and I would love to go back, especially when the elephants were passing through, what a life experience that would be. Victoria Falls was both soul cleansing and heart opening for me. I was so drawn into the beauty and power it brought me to tears! Thanks again and keep me on your mailing list. I would love to see more and experience more of Namibia. Blessings and many thanks”

- Jill, Australia

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About The Host

We organize specialized yoga holidays that combine wildlife encounters, conservation, vibrant cultural experiences, nature hikes, adventurous days and mindful yoga flows out in nature, a truly authentic experience. Choose one of our scheduled yoga holidays or contact us to customize a private trip according to your personal requirements. These yoga holidays are about YOU, connecting with yourself on a deeper level and having an adventure of a life time.

Itinerary

Day 1: Windhoek surrounds

You will be met in Swakopmund and transferred to EHRA base camp, arriving late afternoon. Once settled, you will be briefed on the following few days. After the heat of the day has subsided we will go on a short hike around the new information and education centre and then a nature focused walk in the immediate area to look at tracks at the spring. Your EHRA guide will explain about the important work the NGO performs to conserve these small, special populations of desert dwelling elephants and to help the people that live with them.

Damaraland is known for its scenic and fascinating beauty, and as the sun begins to set, there will be our first yoga session. We will ground ourselves and move slowly with our breaths, taking in the natural landscapes, simply being and living in the moment.

Day 2

Today we will immerse ourselves in the local cultures and traditions. We will visit three different tribal groups from Namibia, the Damaras, Hereros and Himbas. We will visit people that EHRA know and learn from them, about the various beliefs in their cultures. In the afternoon, we will pay a visit to the local school that EHRA supports and hear how they live with the elephants.

Back at camp we will head out for a sun downer hike to a high point overlooking the river and camp. We will move our bodies with our breath, taming our wild elephant minds to a state of relaxation as the sun sets over the dramatic mountains.

Day 3

Early start for a sunrise yoga session before packing the EHRA vehicles and head to a local farm where we will be spending the day helping to protect a vegetable garden or water point!

The work will be very physical but at the same time satisfying! We will set up camp in the village and have time to meet the people who live with the elephants and hear about their lives. Living with elephants can be challenging especially when water sources are cut off. People living out in the desert are mainly subsistence farmers, who might live further than 10kms away from another water point. People do not have vehicles and rely on donkey carts for transportation.

Yoga as the sun sets - They say the human mind is like the trunk of an elephant - it never rests, goes here, there, constantly moving through thoughts, hopes, sensations, plans... Here, in the wilderness, you have the unique opportunity to tame that mind, listening, feeling and becoming still.

We will all participate in cooking dinner over the fire, sitting and chatting until we fall asleep under the stars!

Day 4

Our day will start with a hot drink and then a yoga session as the sun rises. Breakfast will also be made over the fire and once finished we will head out for a day’s elephant tracking.

The day will be dictated by the elephant’s movements and along the way you will be taught how the EHRA experts track the elephants. Although 2 elephants are now satellite collared, EHRA tracks using physical signs. The art of tracking is becoming a forgotten skill and it is fascinating to learn how you can tell how old dung is, which way the elephants are walking, whether it is a male or female all from signs on the ground! You will also assist and be taught how we identify the elephants, and witness some interesting behaviors specific to the desert elephants, such as digging for drinking water! EHRA has studied these elephants for the past 18 years and we have intricate knowledge on each and every one!

Where we camp will be dependent on where we find the elephants!

Just before the sun sets, we will roll out our mats and become aware that we too arise from nature, completely dependent on the earth, taking in what we have learned from the Elephants, deepening our sense of connections to these living beings. Their traits include wisdom, strength, loyalty, patience, and strong bonds, and with mindful movements and meditation, we too can accomplish this.

If the moon is in our favor will be treated to an astronomy lesson!

Day 5

As the sun rises we will flow with our breaths and connect with the energy that surrounds us. Today we will spend the morning with the elephants and aim to be back in EHRA base camp late afternoon. We will have a final hike to the sun downer spot and say farewell to the sun and our time together with a gentle flow and meditation.


Day 6

Another beautiful morning moving with our breaths along Damaraland’s landscapes and the elephants perhaps close by. After breakfast we will head back to Swakopmund or join our 10-Day Namibia Yoga Safari starting tomorrow. Once you have booked your spot, we will discuss this optional extra. You have already come such a far way, so why not visit Namibia’s top locations where days are filled with more wildlife encounters and doing yoga amongst unique landscapes.


Location
Things to keep in mind

Refund and cancellation policy

Should cancellations be made less than 90 but more than 60 days prior to the retreat date, payments will be refunded less the non-refundable deposit and minus a €150 admin/bank

processing fee. When cancellation is made less than 60 and more than 30 days prior to retreat date, 50% of the retreat cost will be refunded less the admin/bank processing fee and the non-refundable deposit. If cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to the retreat date, no payments will be refunded. However, if someone else takes your place then a refund will be made on the same basis as in the case of a cancellation made less than 60 days and more than 30 days prior to the retreat date.

Cancellation by Activ Retreats

Activ Retreats reserves the right in any circumstances to cancel a retreat, in which case we will offer a full refund of all monies paid. In particular, retreats require a minimum number of at least 50% of the participants to have booked by two weeks before the start date. If this minimum number is not reached by that date, we may cancel and refund the money to you. In no case will we cancel a retreat less than 2 weeks before the scheduled departure date, except for reasons of force majeure, or failure on your part to pay the final balance

Terms and conditions

Booking/payment

A contract is only valid upon completion of the booking form, to which these Terms and Conditions are attached. Once an enquiry has been received through Activ Retreats or any other method provided for on the Website, payment details, together with the booking form, will be sent to you.

A non-refundable deposit of $536 USD is required in order to secure your place on the retreat. The booking form, once completed, must be returned to Activ Retreats and proof of payment of the deposit must be attached thereto. Upon receipt of the completed booking form together with the proof of payment of the deposit, Activ Retreats will send an invoice to you for the remaining balance. The remaining balance should be paid in full 45 days prior to the retreat date which will be indicated on the invoice. The full price of the retreat is indicated on the Website.

Placement in the retreat will be forfeited if full payment is not received on time. Should a cancellation be made 90 days or more prior to the retreat date, your deposit may be applied towards another retreat within 12 months from the initial retreat should you wish to attend another retreat. Should cancellation be made less than 90 days prior the retreat date, the provisions of the clause entitled “Refund and Cancellation Policy” relating to cancellations made 60 or less prior to the retreat date will apply. If the reservation is made less than 30 days prior to the retreat date, 100% payment is payable within two days of making the reservation to guarantee or confirm the reservation.

Costs

Costs included in the price vary for all retreats. Flights, Travel insurance and gratuity is not included.

Travel arrangements

All travel arrangements (limited to flights only) remain the responsibility of the participant, and should be made at your own cost. Activ Retreats will not be held liable for any consequences resulting from delays and cancellation from any of the companies used or any irregularities in your documentation required for travel.

Insurance and health

Travel insurance remains the responsibility of the retreat participant. Travel Insurance should cover cancellations, sickness, losses and all the usual risks. Please ensure that you advise the staff should you have any health conditions that require special attention as well as medication you are taking before your booking. Should you experience any injury or discomfort during any activity during the retreat, you must consult a member of the retreat team immediately.

Amendments by Activ Retreats

Changes to the schedule might occasionally occur. This would include a change in therapists, yoga instructors and any other arrangements. Even though changes are usually minor and participants will be advised at the earliest possible date, we reserve the right to do so at any time.

Our liability to you

(a) We accept the responsibility of ensuring that the retreats are supplied as described on the Website and that services provided at the retreat venues will be at a reasonable standard.

(b) We do not accept any liability for cancellations, delays or changes caused by war, threat of war, terrorist actions or threats, closure of airports, civil strife, industrial action, natural disaster, other Acts of God (including but not limited to animal attacks), technical problems to transport, staff cancellations, unforeseen changes in your personal circumstances or other events beyond our control.

(c) We are not liable for any injuries you may sustain during or on route to the retreat. Retreat therapies are undertaken at your own risk. Should you experience any injury or discomfort during any activity during the retreat, you must consult a member of the Retreat team immediately. As professional yoga teachers we will take all steps necessary to not push guests beyond their limits. The yoga classes we give are restorative and nothing too demanding. You also agree that we will not be held liable for any medical or psychiatric conditions which may develop during or subsequent to the retreat. Finally, we are not liable for loss of or damage to, your personal property.

Complaints

If you experience a problem during your retreat, please inform a facilitator immediately and he/she will endeavor to put things right. We however cannot guarantee the proportion of male/female guests in any group, and we will not be responsible for individual behavior.

Disclaimer

Activ Retreats will not accept any liability for theft or damage to personal belongings, personal injuries, death, illness, act of negligence or medical conditions that develop during or after the holiday, or any costs, cancellations or changes incurred as a result of fire, natural disaster, airport closure or any other events beyond our control.

Privacy policy

All information will be treated with the strictest confidence. Activ Retreats will not share your contacts and personal information with any third parties.

FAQ