The Shift Women's Safari Retreat South Africa | For the woman who knows she is meant for more

Absolutely. In fact, I expect many of the women joining us will be travelling on their own. I know South Africa can feel intimidating if you've never travelled there before, and I don't want to brush that concern aside with a casual "You'll be fine!" Your safety is one of the most important things to me. The retreat takes place at a private 5-star eco safari lodge in the Greater Kruger area, and once you arrive, you won't be navigating South Africa by yourself. We'll give you clear travel instructions for getting to the local airport, your transfer to the lodge is arranged, and our safari experiences are with professional guides in managed wildlife areas. Following your guide's instructions is one of the fundamentals of safe wildlife viewing. But I think the deeper question I'm hearing is... "Will I feel safe coming all this way on my own when I don't know anybody?" And THAT answer is also yes. You may arrive alone, but you won't experience this retreat alone. This is intentionally a small group of women. We eat together, explore together, go on safari together, laugh together and probably know far too much about one another by the time we sit around the fire on our last evening. You don't need to bring a friend to belong here.

Very little - and that's the beauty of it. You don't need special safari experience, expensive khaki outfits or a pair of boots that makes you look like you're auditioning for Out of Africa. Comfortable clothes, layers for changing temperatures, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a few practical essentials are what matter. Greater Kruger travel guidance specifically says you don't need to buy an entirely new safari wardrobe. You also won't be expected to know what you're looking for. That's what our guides are there for. They know this land. They read tracks, sounds and movements most of us wouldn't even notice, and they're the ones who turn what could simply be a drive through the bush into an extraordinary experience. There is also no guarantee that a lion will politely appear at 7:12 a.m. because we've put him on the itinerary. These animals are wild, and that's precisely what makes safari so incredible.

Then don't. This one is really important to me. I have created a beautiful programme because I want you to have opportunities to experience safari drives, guided walks, yoga, workshops, art, culture, incredible food, nature and adventure. But this is your retreat. If one afternoon your entire soul is saying, "Alka, I love you dearly, but I'm going to the spa and then lying beside the pool for three hours," please do exactly that. You are not coming to Africa to acquire another to-do list. Some women will want to experience everything. Others will need more rest. Some will arrive craving adventure. Others will arrive needing quiet. Most of us will probably need a little of both. That's why the retreat has been designed with different experiences woven through it. You get to listen to yourself and choose what you need. And perhaps that's actually one of the most important parts of The Shift. For eight days, nobody needs you to be anything other than yourself.

Encounters may include some of “The Big 5”, but our focus is firmly on fostering connection and meaningful time spent with all the wildlife on the land. We believe the local Shangaan saying that “a leopard chooses to reveal him/herself to us, we do not choose to see a leopard”, and this is true for all wildlife. Our borders are open to the entire 2,6 million hectares of the Greater Kruger Biosphere allowing wildlife to roam freely onto and through our land.

We are located in a low risk malaria area, please discuss with your care provider what precautions to take. You will need a Yellow fever vaccination if you are visiting from a yellow fever zone. Please consult with your health care provider on any recommendations and precautions before your travels.