Return to the Wild
A Kenya Safari Wellness Retreat
June 21–30, 2027
10 days across Kenya’s most spectacular landscapes
Featured expert in:
There’s something about Kenya that rewires your nervous system in the best possible way.
Maybe it’s waking to birdsong instead of alarms. Or the way time stretches when you’re watching elephants move across the plains.
Maybe it’s simply remembering that we’re part of nature, not separate from it—and we are minuscule against its magnificence, and yet also, a part of its splendor.
This 10-day wellness safari weaves gentle morning movement and meditation into the rhythm of East Africa’s most spectacular landscapes.
This Retreat Is For You If…
✓ You’ve been running on empty and need more than a vacation—you need to feel something shift
✓ You want the adventure of a safari AND the restoration of a wellness retreat, without choosing one over the other
✓ You want someone else to handle every detail so you can fully let go
✓ You’re drawn to meaningful travel that goes deeper than sightseeing
✓ You’d love to return home with a regulated nervous system, new friendships, and a renewed sense of wonder
Your Journey
Nairobi
We begin with the tender magic of the elephant orphanage and the chance to be kissed by a Rothschild giraffe. A gentle welcome to Kenya’s heart.
Lake Naivasha
Journey through the Great Rift Valley to where hippos graze the lawns at night and zebras wander past your door. We’ll boat through papyrus marshes, walk among wildlife on Crescent Island, and let the pace of water slow us down.
Lake Nakuru
Flamingos, endangered rhinos, and some of the most breathtaking landscapes in East Africa. A transition into the wilder part of our journey.
Masai Mara
Three nights in this legendary reserve. Morning and afternoon game drives in search of the Big Five. A visit with the Maasai to learn about traditions that have endured for centuries. Evenings under canopies of stars, sharing stories over dinner with your fellow travelers.
Your Daily Rhythm
Our days follow the rhythms of nature and the animals.
Most mornings begin with early game drives—the animals are most active at dusk and dawn, and there’s nothing quite like watching the savanna awash in golden light. Some mornings allow time for meditation before breakfast. Others, you’ll already be out in the wild.
Your days might be a cultural immersion in Nairobi, a boat safari through papyrus marshes, or a visit with the Maasai. On other afternoons, there’s time for a gentle movement class before the pre-dinner game drive.
Evenings are for dinner together, conversations under the stars, and the profound quiet of the African night. Time allowing, we’ll gather for a short mindfulness or movement session before dinner—a chance to settle into stillness or stretch out after the day’s adventures.
And when we have picnics on the savannah, we’ll stretch together before we eat—there’s no studio in the world that compares to open sky and golden grass.
No two days look the same. That’s the point.
Where You’ll Stay
From a chic hotel in Nairobi to luxury tented camps on the edge of the Masai Mara, every accommodation has been selected for comfort, character, and proximity to the wild. All meals (except 1 lunch) are included throughout.
Your guide Samira
I’ve been leading international wellness retreats for over a decade and have taken groups to Kenya, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Morocco.
My background is in somatic practices, mindfulness, and movement—cultural dance, Pilates, yoga, meditation, and trauma-informed approaches. With 40 years of teaching experience, I adapt to our changing safari needs. But what I really do is create space for people to come back to themselves in extraordinary settings.
Kenya holds a special place in my heart. This is my fourth return, and I’d love for you to experience it with me.
Guest Testimonials
"This trip was a dream come true! My bucket list item of seeing a lion in the wild came true on the very first day. I had to create a new bucket list!"
Liz, Kenya guest
"I knew it was going to be amazing, but from start to finish you have far exceeded my high expectations, yet again!"
Sue. Morocco & Kenya guest
"I feel like I'm on an amazing field trip for adults! I needed this much playfulness in my life and you've helped me reconnect with my joy."
Tracy, Morocco guest
"With such a small, intimate group, I felt cared for the whole time by you, and I feel like I've made genuine new friends. We've already made plans to get together when we get back home."
Jan, Kenya and Morocco guest
The Investment
10 days, all-inclusive. Every safari, every meal (except one lunch), every accommodation, every transfer, every wellness session. See full details in FAQs
2,000 reserves your place | Payment plans are available | Reserve your place now
Starting at 9,595 per person
Double occupancy • Early bird rate through July 31, 2026
After July 31, 2026, starting at 10,595
Come With Your People
Some of my favorite retreat moments happen when friends travel together — inside jokes on game drives, someone daring the other to try something new, shared memories that last decades.
If you're thinking about bringing a group of four or more, I offer a group rate. Reach out and let's talk about it.
Select RETURN TO THE WILD below
Choose your occupancy and reserve your place
limited to 12 guests
Kenya Retreat FAQs
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This is boutique small-group travel. My retreats vary between 5 and 12 guests.
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Includes:All accommodations
All meals except 1 lunch on the last day
English-speaking driver-guide & 4WD safari Land Cruiser with pop-up roof for easy game viewing
Emergency Rescue and Evacuation Insurance
Park Entry Fees
Maasai Village Visit
Boat safari on Lake Naivasha & walking safari on Crescent Island
Bottled mineral water while on transit between locations or on game drives
All airport transfers as per the transfer
David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage
Karen Blixen Museum
Giraffe Centre Visit
All meditations and wellness classes/sessions
Guide booklet and meeting beforehand
Excludes:International Flights into Kenya.
Visa into Kenya
Travel insurance (required)
Optional Balloon Safari in Masai Mara: USD $510 per person
Drinks while having meals, alcoholic or non-alcoholic
Tips. (I will provide information and guidance)
Any expense of personal nature i.e., early check-in, room service, mini bar, optional activities not mentioned, laundry etc.
Spa, souvenirs
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Each day is unique, as they are guided by the rhythms of nature.
Animals are most lively at dusk and dawn, so along with the animals, our days will align with the sun: early mornings, exciting days, and ready to settle down after dinner.
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In Nairobi we will be in a Kenyan-chic modern hotel complete with pool and spa.
On safari we will enjoy gorgeous luxury lodges and luxury tented camps. All of them have a pool and spa. They take advantage of the natural surroundings and nestle into nature beautifully. You might walk with zebra on the grounds at Lake Naivasha, and you will fall asleep to the sounds of hippos frolicking in the water in Masai Mara.
Wifi is available in all accommodations. -
Single and double occupancy options are available.
If you want to travel double occupancy but do not have a roommate in mind, please contact me before registering.
PAYMENT OPTIONS:
Pay in full, or pay $2000 by July 31 to reserve your space at the early bird rate!
Payment plans are available.
PricingEarly Bird (register by July 31, 2026):
$9,595 per person, double occupancy
$11,095 single occupancy
Regular Rate (starting August 1, 2026):
$10,595 per person, double occupancy
$12,095 single occupancy
Registration & Payment
$2,000 is due at registration to reserve your space and payment amount. This includes a $500 non-refundable reservation fee. A payment plan is available
Or pay in full today.
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Below is our basic itinerary. Transportation between parks is with the group.
All activities and excursions are optional. This means your partner or friend who doesn’t want to take class can simply take a nap or a swim. It means if you are feeling tired and want to miss a game drive or a class, take some time for you!The animals dictate our schedule here. Morning and afternoon game drives get us the most exciting animal viewings.
Day 1: Depart US, overnight flight
Day 2: Arrive Nairobi, transfer and settle in | Nairobi, hotel
Day 3: Nairobi excursions — elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre, Karen Blixen Museum | Nairobi, hotel
Day 4: Drive to Lake Naivasha via Great Rift Valley viewpoint, boat ride, walking safari on Crescent Island | Lake Naivasha, lodge
Day 5: Free day to enjoy the lake and lodge amenities | Lake Naivasha, lodge
Day 6: Drive to Lake Nakuru National Park, morning and afternoon game drives | Lake Nakuru, lodge
Day 7: Drive to Masai Mara, afternoon game drive | Masai Mara, tented camp
Day 8: Morning and afternoon game drives, Maasai village visit (optional full-day game drive or hot air balloon) | Masai Mara, tented camp
Day 9: Morning and afternoon game drives | Masai Mara, tented camp
Day 10: Return to Nairobi, lunch, departures
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The optional classes are modified for all levels. Class will be a mix of yoga, gentle Pilates, strengthening and stretching, along with meditation. Sometimes it may be a short stretch near a pond, with meditation later. Sometimes it will be a full class.
Our walking safari is on uneven surfaces and there may be mud. Our lodges and luxury tented camps have walking paths between rooms. The land rovers will be traveling over very bumpy terrain! Your FitBit will think you are getting a workout, and your core muscles will verify! -
Samira Shuruk has been teaching fitness and movement for 40 years and leading international retreats for a decade.
She is a big animal, nature, and culture lover and spent 25 years as a professional cultural dance artist. This will be her fourth time leading a retreat in Kenya. -
My events are always inclusive, and where we are going is considered safe.
Kenya is a more conservative country, and as such, ALL couples practice discretion and avoid PDAs. I go into more details in our pre-retreat meeting and welcome questions in the meantime. Please reach out and we can find a good time to chat.
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Most meals will be beautiful buffets with a wide variety of cuisine from European to Kenyan to Indian.
Typical dietary restrictions are easily accommodated, from vegetarian to vegan to gluten-free.
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Registration & Payment
$2,000 due at registration to reserve your space and payment amount. This includes a $500 non-refundable reservation fee
Balance due: Whichever comes first — 4 months after your deposit OR May 7, 2027 (45 days before retreat)
Payment plans available: Choose 3 or 6 monthly payments for an additional 4.5% of your balance. First payment begins within 6 weeks of deposit. All payment plans must be completed by May 7, 2027.
Late registration (after May 7, 2027): Subject to availability, payment in full required at registration.
Balance payments made via invoice
Or you may pay in full
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Retreat Dates: June 21 - 30, 2027
Depart US East Coast: Monday, June 21 (this may be different from other departure regions)
Nairobi Arrival: Tuesday, June 22
Nairobi Departure: Wednesday, June 30, 2027Airport in Nairobi: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Note: Nairobi arrival date refers to your planned arrival in Nairobi, accounting for overnight flights and international travel schedules.
I arrange your hotel transfers.
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All international retreats are subject to a $500 non-refundable reservation fee.
Full cancellation details are in the Terms and Waiver, which you agree to when you make your first payment. -
Yes.
For this trip you are required to protect your investment with travel insurance. You shall send proof of insurance within 14 days of initial reservation payment.Yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days prior to travel is also required. Carry your proof of vaccination with you.
You will receive more information on both after registration.
You’ll return home with more than photographs.
A regulated nervous system. A renewed sense of wonder. Meaningful friendships. And the memory of what it feels like to move at nature’s pace.
See you on the savannah,
Samira
June 21 - 30, 2027
