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Kenyan Yoga and Safari Retreat


  • emilyoga Malindi, Kilifi County Kenya (map)

Kenyan Yoga & Safari Retreat, Watamu & Tsavo

“Africa is mystic; it is wild; it is a sweltering inferno; it is a photographer’s paradise, a hunter’s Valhalla, an escapist’s Utopia.”

– Beryl Markham

Our Home for 6 nights & 6 days

I am beyond excited to return to Kenya and co-create with fabulous fellow yogini, Lucy Dillon from Sumara Travels to bring you an unforgettable week-long bucket-list adventure! Picture yourself in one of the most stunning, luxurious beach villas on the breath-taking coast of Watamu, surrounded by some of the world’s most pristine beaches.

But that’s not all; this incredible journey also includes an exhilarating safari in Kenya, renowned for being one of Africa's best destinations to witness the magnificent Big Five: the African buffalo, lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and even the graceful cheetah.

Your trip of a lifetime begins at the end of February when you touch down at Nairobi airport. From there, you’ll be whisked away to your luxurious beach villa, where spectacular sea views await. You’ll be enchanted by mesmerising sunsets and the gentle sounds of waves lapping against the shore, lulling you into a peaceful slumber.

Each room is beautifully designed—luxurious, light, and airy—ensuring a delightful stay. Picture yourself practising yoga on the shaded terrace overlooking the ocean, followed by a refreshing dip in the infinity pool. This enchanting villa will be our sanctuary for six days and six nights.

Upon arrival, you'll be greeted with refreshing beverages, allowing you the perfect opportunity to settle in and unwind. Your first evening will introduce you to a rejuvenating yoga class complemented by a tantalising, healthy, nourishing dinner that will delight your taste buds.

The itinerary includes two invigorating yoga sessions each morning and evening, leaving plenty of time to relax, explore, indulge in a soothing massage, and savour delectable culinary experiences. An exciting afternoon excursion will be added into the package one of the afternoons. Afternoon early evening Yoga sessions will sometimes include mini workshops and yoga philosophy to help embody and deepen your understanding of Yoga, and one of the evenings we will have a cacao ceremony.

The Destination

The Retreat will be taking place in one the most stunning properties on the East African coast, situated half-way between 2 beach towns, Malindi & Watamu.  Malindi is, part bustling coastal centre, part historic Swahili settlement and part sleepy, laid-back beach resort.  It sits approximately halfway down the Kenyan coast.

Another close-by town is Watamu, a small, picturesque town 15 minutes from the villa and home to the best beaches in Kenya.   It is known for it's stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life.  Watamu offers chill-out beach vibes and a strong focus on wellness and a huge array of water sports and activities.  

It has a distinct mix of Swahili, Italian, and English influences due to its popularity among European tourists and expatriates, meaning incredible food and architecture are to be had.  There is so much to do in Watamu, whether it's paddle-boarding with dolphins, playing Padel tennis with friends, relaxing at the beach, enjoying a sundowner on a traditional dhow boat, this is a truly special place!

Meet the team

  • As a certified 200-hour yoga teacher and an experienced travel agent, I love blending mindful movement with cultural exploration, creating truly unique experiences that inspire connection and lasting memories.

    Having lived abroad for many years, my passion for travel, adventure, and yoga has led me to Kenya— a country I deeply love for its breathtaking landscapes and rich natural beauty. This retreat, co-curated with Emily, is a reflection of that passion—a space to explore, flow, and connect in one of the most stunning places on earth.

    It is my hope to share the magic of Kenya with you, while creating moments of joy, peace, and connection that will stay with you long after the retreat ends.

  • My name is Emily Gilchrist, and I am a mother, yoga teacher, energy healer, mindfulness coach, fun-loving, creative, and cheeky catalyst for transformation and positive change.

    I am devoted to the path of creating sacred, safe, loving and nurturing spaces where people can come, unravel, and be free to show up without apology, exactly as they are. I believe in being authentic and sharing the imperfect, perfect truth of who I am and life, so we can learn to truly accept and embrace the whole of who we all are.

    How it began

    I became involved in the art of healing over 20 years ago after my own personal journey in Yoga had started. Yoga found me at a crucial turning point in my life back in 2001 while living in India. It was my own trauma and being left with little confidence in myself and who I was that got me on the mat! It didn’t take long before I noticed the profound benefits Yoga had started to have on my overall state of mind and well-being, I soon found myself on the way to the ashram in south India, embarking on my first TTC, where the course of my path would change forever! I left knowing it was my mission to share this medicine wherever my heart led me.

    You can read more about me on my page here:

    https://www.emilyoga.com/about-emily

Our Safari Lodge for the day and night

We’ll check out of the Beach Palace and embark on a scenic drive to Hildana Lodge on our penultimate morning. This journey will be like a game drive in itself, in safari jeeps, passing through the stunning landscapes of Tsavo National Park. Prepare yourself for breath-taking wildlife sightings and expansive vistas—this awe-inspiring experience will be one you won't soon forget.

Once we arrive at the lodge, we will indulge in a sunset swim while being welcomed by elephants and exotic birds. If relaxation is on your agenda, a beautiful spa space awaits you to book a rejuvenating treatment.

Yoga will continue that evening and conclude with a final session the following morning—an incredible opportunity to practice amid the breathtaking backdrop of nature and wildlife.

On our final day Lucy and I have arranged transporation for you back from the Safari lodge to Nairobi. For those of you who wish to extend your stay at the lodge and make your way back you are very welcome and can do so by contacting Lucy or the lodge directly.

I’m also excited to share that a percentage of your trip cost will support the Africa Yoga Project, helping fund their remarkable initiatives by donating all our yoga equipment to assist trainees in launching their journeys of spreading the gift of yoga.

Are you ready to check this extraordinary experience off your bucket list?

View Full Schedule Below

Investment fee

Early-bird rate - running until September 1st 2025

Twin room - £2775 - 7 rooms available!

Private room - £3950 - 3 rooms avaialble!

Standard rate

Twin room - £3055

Private room - £4345

PLEASE NOTE: You can secure your place at the early bird rate NOW with just a £200 deposit. Then, pay the rest off 0% interest-free in instalments. You can pay the deposit via the link below, and I will then be in touch to work out a monthly payment plan that suits your budget between now and the start date. Please refer to my Terms and Conditions HERE.

What’s included?

  • Brunch, dinner, snacks and all-day water and juices

  • Daily Yoga classes

  • Daily Mediation

  • Daily Pranayama

  • Workshops

  • Accommodation

  • All facilities

  • Afternoon trip to the local town of Watamu

  • Afternoon boat trip out

  • Safari lodge, game drive and all food included

  • Domestic flight from Nairobi to Malindi

  • All transfers, including; from Malindi airport on arrival to the beach villa, from the beach villa to the safari lodge and the safari lodge to Nairobi (upon departure)

    What’s not included?

  • Any extra trips out or excursions that are not listed on the itinerary

  • Any extra food that is not on the schedule

  • Any additional treatments, massages

  • International flights to Nairobi

  • Visas and travel insurance

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We expect around 12-14 people with a maximum capacity of 18.

  • Yes, this trip is suitable for solo travellers. It will be the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded people who are passionate about travel, experiencing new cultures, and improving their well-being. 

  • We expect to have at least a couple of men on the retreat. Although the groups are usually predominantly women, men are most welcome. 

  • Yes, if you book a twin room, we will make sure you share a room with someone of the same sex and will do our best to match you with someone of a similar profile. The good news is the rooms are huge so you feel like you have plenty of space, and generally, everyone who comes along is super lovely. 

  • Yes, the retreat will be 100% suitable for people of all levels, ages, shapes, and sizes. With over 20 years of experience teaching classes,, all the sessions will be delivered to adapt and accommodate everyone's needs. 

  •  The age range can vary from anywhere between mid-20s to early 70s, and the overall spirit of the group is always ageless.

  • Yes, all yoga equipment, including a brick, bolster, mat and belt, will be provided, but you are very welcome to pack your own if you prefer 

  • Absolutely! There is so much to do in Malindi & Watamu, from sunset dhow cruises to Sup-ing with pods of dolphins, to snorkelling in local marine parks and visiting local sites such as Marafa Hells Kitchen (natural canyon), Mida Creek mangroves, Gede ruins & the Arabuko forest & elephants to name a few.  Many watersports are available locally, including kite surfing, diving, wakeboarding, fishing, sailing, wake surfing, wind foiling, etc.  There is a great Padel tennis club in Watamu. You can book courts easily and enjoy a delicious iced coffee post-match at the cafe there! 

    Between morning and sunset yoga, there will be ample free time each day to laze on the beach, do excursions, explore the local towns of Malindi and Watamu, go for lovely lunches, or sample the sublime gelato found locally due to the Italian influence in the area. 

    When we arrive, the villa manager will be on hand to advise and book any activities we wish to do, and a driver will be available for transportation. 

  • No, you do not. It is recommended that you participate as much as you can to get the most out of your yoga development, but obviously, it's entirely up to you how much you do and it is important to listen to your body when it knows it needs to rest!

  • I would recommend packing plenty of beach clothes, yoga clothes, sunscreen, a meditation shawl, a journal, a pen, sunglasses, evening clothes, a few warm clothes for the evening as it gets cooler at night, cool protective clothes and shoes and a hat for the safari, insect repellent, malaria tablets just in-case you are very sensitive to bites, camera. 

  • The food will be mainly vegan/vegetarian to support a healthy yogic diet and will accommodate all dietary requirements and allergies, provided they are noted in the booking form. For non-vegetarian people, we would not expect you to come to Kenya by the beach and not sample their fresh local fish at least for a couple of the meals, but the menu will accommodate all preferences. 

  • At the end of February, Watamu, Kenya experiences hot, humid weather with an average daily maximum of around 26°C and a minimum of 14°C, making it a good time for safaris and beach activities. 

  • There is a high risk of malaria in some areas of Kenya, so it is generally advised to take antimalarial tablets, use insect repellent, and avoid mosquito bites . You can visit a travel clinic or use an online travel clinic to order them.

  • 30 mins in a pre-arranged taxi 

  • It will take approximately 5.5 hours, with a stop for lunch on the way. A large part of the journey will be a game drive through Tsavo East National Park, and hopefully, you will see lots of animals! 

  • You can, but you will need to book the safari directly by following the link below:

     https://www.thehildanalodge.com/

  • The quickest route is by train from Voi. It takes approximately 4.5 hours, and the journey is scenic and pleasant. 

  • You can fly directly from London to Nairobi with Kenyan and British Airways, which takes approximately 8.5 hours. We will fly overnight on Monday, February 23rd, arriving on Tuesday, February 24th, at Nairobi airport.   

    Upon our return, we will take the overnight flight back to London on Tuesday, the 3rd (most likely the BA flight at 11.35 pm). 

  • We will meet at Nairobi Kenyatta airport's domestic terminal on Tuesday mid-morning, ready to fly to Malindi on an internal flight included in your package. If you are arriving at a different time, we can arrange an internal flight time that suits you, as there are four flights a day from NBO to MYD. 

  • It can be nice to take out local currency before you arrive, just so you have it for tipping people or bartering in the local markets. Dollars are always appreciated. Most boutiques and restaurants will take cards, but I recommend having cash at hand, too. 

  • Yes, you can do this online by following the link here: https://kenya-visa.co.uk/

  • Yes, you absolutely can, interest-free.   

    We require a £200 initial non-refundable deposit, and then we can set up a monthly arrangement to pay off the balance before departure. 

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