7 Day Find Stillness Within Mind and Body Along the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Namaste Yoga Safari Namibia has teamed up with Roots & Journeys, a circuit of lodges with a strong passion for the country, the people, and conservation. The retreat takes place at 2 of their luxurious lodges, Mopiri and Nokanyana, offering you the best of both worlds in the Delta. 

The Okavango Delta is a unique ecosystem with both a permanent and seasonal home to a wide variety of superb wildlife, a large concentration of birds and lush vegetation. Not only will you experience the remoteness from land, but also from above with 3 short scenic flights that are included. A flight from Maun is mandatory to reach most of the Delta’s luxury camps and lodges due to the aquatic nature, and there is no better way to take in the remoteness of this region. It is common to spot large herds of elephant, hippo, buffalo, wildebeest, lechwe, impala and zebra from a flight like this. It’s a must when visiting Botswana and what a way to start this incredible 7-day journey.

Morning sessions will be a combination of breathing techniques, vinyasa flows and guided meditation - finding and creating space within, as the world along the Delta awakes. The therapeutic moves will allow you to go inward and become familiar with your own body as you link your breath and connect with nature. You will certainly be renewed after each session and ready for what the day has in store for you - plenty of wildlife, relaxation and unique activities specific to the area. You will find yourself back in nature for an afternoon yin or Hatha practice while listening to the sounds of hippos along the river, and bird life as night approaches. Here, you will feel as if time is standing still, where living in the present moment is the only option. Your body relaxed, your mind in a state of absolute peace. The practice promotes a calming and meditative state that will benefit beginners to experienced students.

Please note there are 3 retreat dates in Botswana for 2021 and each retreat there will be a different yoga teacher. March: Marcel Vosloo and Jill Schrader. September: Caroline Pajewski. November: Marcel Vosloo

Itinerary

Day 1

On arrival at Maun Airport, you will be met by your yoga teacher and a representative of Roots & Journeys. From here, you will make your way to Mopiri Camp with a small aircraft. The flight to the camp is a short scenic flight over the Delta, an amazing experience on its own already.

Once at Mopiri, settle into your luxurious accommodation before a much needed meditation session as the sun sets over the Delta.

Dinner will be a healthy 3-course meal under the stars, followed by a one on one individual session with your yoga teacher.  

Day 2

• Morning yoga session next to the delta at the lodge
• Breakfast
• Boat trip and guided bush walk / optional massage
• Lunch
• Barge cruise / relaxation / optional massage
• Afternoon / sunset meditation session
• Dinner

Day 3

• Morning meditation session next to the delta at the lodge
• Breakfast
• Full day out incorporating a boating safari, mokoro trip and lunch set up on an island in the heart of the delta
• Sunset yoga session
• Dinner

Day 4

• Morning yoga session next to the Delta at the lodge
• Breakfast
• Morning activity / relaxation / optional massage
• Lunch
• Afternoon activity, relaxation, or optional massage
• Afternoon / sunset yoga session
• Dinner

Day 5

• Morning meditation session next to the Delta at the lodge
• Breakfast
• MorFly from Mopiri to Nokanyana
• Game drive into camp
• Lunch (in camp or on the way to camp)
• Afternoon game drive / relaxation
• Afternoon / sunset yoga session
• Dinner

Day 6

• Morning yoga session next to the Khwai River at the lodge
• Breakfast
• Morning activity, relaxation, or optional massage
• Lunch
• Afternoon game drive or relaxation
• Afternoon meditation session
• Dinner

Day 7

This morning you will have one last beautiful yoga flow, taking in the natural beauty and energy of the Delta. After breakfast, you will fly back to Maun in time for your departure flight back home. The short scenic flight over the Delta is the perfect chance to reflect on the natural beauty and self-reflection you have encountered over the last week.

• 3 scenic flights over the Delta and Khwai - See the Okavango Delta from above
• Wildlife game viewing on game drives
• Boating safaris on the Okavango Delta
• Mokoro trips on the Okavango Delta
• Guided bush walks
• Sunset cruises on the Delta

Famous for its wildlife and stunning beauty, Botswana is one of the greatest adventure safari destinations in Africa and one the most unique ecosystems in the world.

Areas like Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve all have very high concentrations of game. The Chobe National Park has the world’s largest concentration of African elephants, and Northern Botswana has one of the few remaining large populations of the endangered African wild dog.

The Okavango delta is a unique ecosystem with both a permanent and seasonal home to a wide variety of superb wildlife, a large concentrations of birds and lush vegetation. A recent overview of the Okavango records 122 species of mammals, 71 species of fish, 444 species of birds, 64 species of reptiles and 1300 species of flowering plants. Animals include the African bush elephant, lion, hartebeest, wildebeest, sitatunga, eland, springbok, kudu, duiker, steenbok, gemsbok, sable antelope, impala, roan antelope, zebra, giraffe, African buffalo, ostrich, hippopotamus, black and white rhino, African wild dog, Nile crocodile, cheetah, leopard, baboon, spttend and brown hyena, warthog and the vervet monkey.

Rainfall in the low season is typical although not excessive and temperatures sit around 30°C. Most migratory animals have dispersed from the delta, but wildlife viewing remains pretty impressive.

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With their warm and attentive hospitality, you can expect delightful cuisine at both lodges. All meals will be served on the outdoor deck overlooking the river. Not only do you get to listen to the sounds of nature while doing yoga, but also at every meal.

Daily meals

• Breakfasts: Healthy continental and superfood smoothies
• Lunches: Healthy menu to choose from - some lunches will be set around camp, depending on the days activities
• Dinners: Healthy 3 course meals

All meals are vegan/vegetarian, freshly prepared by the lodges professional chefs. High tea with freshly baked goodies and cakes will be served at the lodge, also depending on the days activities.

The retreat is fully inclusive with daily yoga/meditation sessions and activities along the Okavango Delta. The scenic flights are also included in the retreat and a full body massage at Mopiri Lodge. After lunch, you will have time to relax next to the pool reading a book, admiring the beautiful surroundings, or go for an extra massage.

One full body massage included at Mopiri Lodge, but you can opt for an optional massage in your free time.

• 6 nights of luxury accommodation
• All meals
• Fruit infused water refills (bottles will be supplied, as Namaste Yoga Safari Namibia does not want to use any plastic bottles)
• All mentioned camp activities
• Professional guides for all excursions/activities
• 1 full body massage
• Private yoga teacher/host
• One-on-one sessions with your yoga teacher
• Daily yoga and meditation with a beautiful view of the Delta and the Khwai River
• VAT and tourism levy
• Park fees
• Meet and greet at Maun airport by a member of the Roots and Journeys team and your teacher
• Return scenic flights from Maun to Mopiri Camp, Mopiri to Nokanyana, and Nokanyana to Maun (3 flights) - These are all short flights, about 30 minutes.
• Transfers to and from the Mopiri airstrip and the Khwai airstrip
• Passenger liability insurance
• Laundry
• Welcoming gift
• Boating safaris
• Mokoro trips
• Bush walks
• Traditional Boma evening
• Village visit
• Lunch out on an island
• Game drives

• International flights
• Gratuity
• Travel insurance
• Optional massage treatments
• Local / alcohol beverages

• A reservation requires a deposit of 100% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.