Wild Serenity: A Yoga & Safari Retreat to Botswana

with Alex Dawson

Awaken your senses where stillness meets the call of the wild. Wild Serenity is a yoga and safari journey through Botswana and Zimbabwe — a rare invitation to align your body, breath, and spirit with the sacred pulse of the wild — an ancient rhythm still carried by the elephants, lions, and endless sky.

We begin in Zimbabwe at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, easing gently into the rhythm of Africa with sunrise yoga on the Zambezi River and time to settle into the moment. From there, we cross into Botswana to begin our immersive experience at Munga Plains, a bespoke safari retreat center that blends community, conservation, and serenity. Here, daily yoga practices take place in an open-air shala surrounded by the sounds of the savannah — grounding and expansive at once.

From lodge to wild, we journey deeper into nature on a mobile safari through Savuti, where each day invites quiet wonder, presence, and awe. Expect heart-stirring wildlife encounters — elephants at dawn, lion tracks in soft sand, the vastness of sky — alongside the grounding rituals of yoga and connection.

We close our journey back at Victoria Falls with a final, sacred morning practice: Yoga with Elephants, a moment to embody the grace and wisdom of these ancient beings before returning home.

This is not a typical retreat. It’s an invitation to recalibrate your inner rhythm to the heartbeat of the Earth — to move, breathe, and be fully alive.

A Journey & A Dream

This is a high-level overview of our journey through Botswana and Zimbabwe. As we move through beautifully wild and remote regions, some details may shift with weather, wildlife movements, or local rhythms. That’s part of the magic — we invite you to come with a spirit of adventure and a wide-open heart, and to trust that everything will unfold just as it’s meant to.

One of the core intentions behind my retreats is that they feel like the kind of family reunion you actually want to be on — where connection comes easily, laughter flows, and every moment feels like it matters. And this one, my friends, is the bucket-list dream.

This journey is for the curious, the open-hearted, and those who find joy in the unknown. It’s for anyone ready to step out of the noise of daily life and into something ancient, sacred, and vibrantly alive.

This isn’t simply a yoga retreat — it’s a soulful passage through the wild.
A time to remember your place in nature’s rhythm.
A time to feel fully, deeply, and expansively alive.

For me personally, this is the Big Dream — one that has lived in my heart throughout more than twenty years of teaching yoga.
Now, the moment has arrived.

I love you. Keep going.
—Alex

Itinerary

Wild Serenity: Yoga & Safari Retreat
Zimbabwe & Botswana
July 17-27, 2026

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (2 nights)

July 17–19 

Our journey begins in Zimbabwe at the soul-stirring Victoria Falls — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Spend your first two nights soaking in the rhythm of Africa, witnessing this immense curtain of water — known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke That Thunders” — as it spans more than a mile wide and plunges over 300 feet into the gorge below. In July, the spray often creates rainbows that arch across the mist, a breathtaking reminder of nature’s magic at play.

Day 1 | July 17
Arrival & First Glimpse of Victoria Falls

Welcome to Africa! Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), you’ll be transferred to our charming lodge. After settling in and taking a moment to exhale, we’ll head out to experience Victoria Falls up close — one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. As the sun sets over the Zambezi, we’ll return for our first group dinner, sharing a toast to the adventure and connection that await.

Day 2 | July 18
Yoga on the Zambezi & Local Exploration

Ease into the rhythm of Africa with a Sunrise Yoga practice, floating gently on the Zambezi River. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy a relaxed exploration — wander through the Victoria Falls artisan market or simply unwind poolside.

Munga Plains, Botswana (5 nights)

July 19–24 

Day 3 | July 19
Chobe River Safari & Yin Bath at Munga Plains

After breakfast, we cross the border into Botswana and begin our safari adventure with a river cruise along the Chobe River — known for its elephant herds and vibrant birdlife. We then travel onward to our home for the next five nights: Munga Plains, a bespoke retreat nestled in the wild heart of Botswana.

Question: around what time will we arrive at Munga? Is there time for a short yin yoga/sound bath session?

Day 4 | July 20
Yoga & Mokoro Safari

Step into our shala for a vibrant Heart-Opening Yoga practice with an endless view of the plains. After lunch, we’ll embark on a guided mokoro safari — a traditional dugout canoe journey through the Chobe River’s winding channels. Your local guide will skillfully pole us through still waters, offering a rare, ground-level view of Botswana’s intricate ecosystem and wildlife. Return to the lodge for the beloved Sundowner tradition: cocktails or mocktails in hand as the sky paints itself in gold before dinner.

Day 5 | July 21
Game Drive & Afternoon Yoga

Awaken to the call of the wild as we venture into Chobe National Park for an early morning game drive — breakfast packed to enjoy along the way. Expect heart-stirring encounters with elephants, lions, leopards, and more. Return to Munga Plains in the afternoon for High Tea, followed by a Slow Flow and Yin practice to integrate the day’s experience. We’ll close the evening with another Sundowner and dinner.

Question: Can we swap this evening for a Bush Dinner experience + Night Drive instead of tomorrow?

Day 6 | July 22
Morning Yoga & Game Drive

Begin to weave the rhythm of Botswana into your body with a Frequency Flow — a rhythmic, full-body vinyasa practice designed to recalibrate the nervous system and attune to the pulse of the Earth. Afternoon brings the option for another game drive. As the sun sets, we gather for a traditional Bush Dinner?? beneath a starlit sky, followed by a Night Drive to observe the secret life of the nocturnal bush. Here, your yoga practice expands beyond the mat — into pure, embodied awareness.

Question: if we move the Bush Dinner to Night 5, can we do an afternoon Game Drive today?

Day 7 | July 23
Yoga, Sound Bath & Cultural Experiences

Sink into another morning of Frequency Flow, closing with a Metta Meditation and sound bath to soothe the senses. In the afternoon, we’ll visit a nearby Basubiya village for a cultural immersion, returning for High Tea and an evening of drumming and rhythm shared by local musicians.

Question: If we do the drumming experience, would it be possilbe to open the session with a 20-minute breathwork journey leading into drumming — to bridge inner rhythm with outer sound.

Mobile Safari to Savuti (2 nights)

July 24–26

We leave the lodge behind and journey deeper into the wilderness on our two-night mobile safari through Savuti — a region celebrated for its dramatic landscapes and abundant wildlife. Sleep under the stars in the heart of the wild. On this Premium Mobile Safari, your HATAB-style tent offers comfort and privacy while placing you directly in the rhythms of the bush. This is the insider safari experience — fully immersive, yet carefully curated for comfort. Premium HATAB tents place you in the heart of the bush while our expert guides ensure every encounter with the wild is seamless, safe, and unforgettable.

Note: For this portion of the trip, please bring only a small, easily carried bag. Any larger luggage will be safely held at Munga Plains and returned to you when we meet in Kasane following the scenic bush flight on Day 10.

Day 8 | July 24 — Into the Wild

Our mobile safari begins with the gentle rhythm of the bush as we set out on morning and afternoon game drives, guided by our expert local safari guides who know these landscapes and their wildlife intimately. Each turn reveals shifting landscapes and encounters with elephants, lions, and other iconic creatures — moments that inspire awe and presence. As the day softens into evening, the golden light bathes the savannah and the sounds of the wild become your soundtrack, evoking mindful presence and gratitude. Every detail is tended to by our guides and staff, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in this untamed, extraordinary land. Sleep beneath the stars in your comfortable premium safari tent with attached bathroom.

Day 9 | July 25 — Immersion in Savuti

Wake to the serene sounds of the bush and step into a day of pure connection with the wild. Morning and afternoon game drives continue to reveal Savuti’s dynamic landscapes and intimate wildlife encounters. Afternoons are for quiet reflection, journaling, or simply absorbing the stillness around you. Sleep beneath the vast African sky and awaken to the gentle sounds of the bush — each moment a living meditation, where nature itself becomes your teacher, and every encounter sparks awe and presence. Evenings are calm and expansive — the kind of stillness that lingers long after you leave this untamed land.

Victoria Falls (1 night)

July 26–27 

Day 10 | July 26 — Scenic Bush Flight & Return to Victoria Falls

Waking from our mobile safari, we take to the skies for a breathtaking scenic flight from Savuti to Kasane — the perfect way to take in the vastness of Botswana’s wilderness from above. From Kasane, we transfer back to Victoria Falls for our final evening together, gathering for a celebratory dinner and reflection on our journey.

Day 11 | July 27 — Yoga with Elephants & Departure

Our closing practice is a once-in-a-lifetime, soul-soothing experience: Yoga with Elephants, a gentle and awe-inspiring moment of connection with these wise beings. After breakfast, transfers will take you to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight — carrying the spirit of Africa within you.

INCLUDES

Accommodations

1 night at Victoria Falls lodge
5 nights at Munga Plains
2 nights premium Mobile Safari camping
1 night at Victoria Falls lodge

Meals & Beverages

All meals as outlined in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Coffee, tea, filtered water, and juices

Yoga & Wellness

Sunrise yoga on the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls
Daily yoga and meditation with Alex at Munga Plains
Yoga with Elephants at Victoria Falls

Transportation & Transfers

Airport transfers to and from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)
Ground transportation as per itinerary
Scenic bush flight from Savuti to Kasane

Safari & Cultural Activities

Chobe River safari
Game drives and Mokoro safari
Cultural experiences with the Basubiya community
Mobile Safari to Savuti
Expert local safari guides and dedicated support staff

Other

All taxes and park fees

DOES NOT INCLUDE

International flights to and from Victoria Falls (VFA)
Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
Zimbabwe Kaza Visas (two single entries)
Alcoholic beverages and sodas
Gratuities for guides and staff

Pricing

Itinerary Recap