Focus on Yoga

While yoga and safari might seem like contrasting holiday activities, they actually complement each other perfectly. After a day of game drives on Africa’s rugged bush roads, what could be better than stretching out your limbs?

Yoga has exploded in popularity across Africa. Yoga retreats, festivals, and even teacher trainings are popping up throughout the continent. These provide a great opportunity to deepen your practice and meet diverse new friends in breathtaking settings.

Africa offers experiences like no other. I recently hosted a yoga retreat in the Maasai Mara, where I led handstands against an acacia tree as breakfast was set up on the savannah, with a Maasai warrior standing guard and elephants strolling by.

Yoga doesn’t have to be the main focus of your holiday. Many safari camps now feature yoga spaces—some have a full-time teacher, while others bring one in upon request. Choose a lodge that offers it.

Many coastal resorts also provide yoga, where guests can start their day with meditation or yoga at sunrise before enjoying activities like kite surfing, scuba diving, or relaxing on white-sand beaches. You can even take your yoga practice onto the water with Stand-Up Paddleboard yoga, or into the trees with Aerial Yoga. For example, Kenya’s Kilifi Wellness Festival offers SUP yoga, aerial, laughter yoga, yin, dance, and more, with discussions on topics like nutrition, gender, and forgiveness.

“Learn some Qi Gong or Tai Chi exercises. Unlike yoga or pilates, you will do all these exercises standing, not sitting, kneeling or lying on a floor. They are perfect after a long day of sitting and holding a heavy camera, which can result in serious shoulder, back and elbow problems. They can be done by anyone at any age, and it really helps for relaxing your muscles, joints and mind. Give it a try in front of your next safari tent.” – Dr. Stefan Schmid, Subscriber

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