Safari Rating
We are excited to unveil Shari’s exclusive ‘bush to beach’ luxury safari experience, taking place from February 10-19, 2025. This unique retreat starts in the iconic Serengeti and concludes on the stunning Pemba Island. Guests will spend three enchanting nights in the Serengeti engaging in morning and evening safaris, staying at a celebrated, luxurious camp. Following this, the adventure continues to the secluded and exotic Pemba Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago, renowned for its unparalleled snorkeling, soothing spa treatments, and serene beach yoga sessions. This retreat promises an unparalleled experience, surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty.
Itinerary in Brief
“Envision starting your day with yoga overlooking the serene landscapes of the Serengeti, exploring the plains on exclusive safaris, and capping off your evenings with beachfront activities under the stars of Pemba Island. We are eager to share every moment with you!”
This private guided retreat offers a personalised journey through Tanzania’s most iconic landscapes. Our professional and highly experienced safari guides will lead you through the Serengeti and Pemba Island, ensuring a fascinating, hassle-free exploration of these beautiful regions. The expertise and dedication of our team guarantee an unforgettable safari retreat.
OPTIONAL YOGA (BEGINNERS WELCOME):
1-2x per day, we will practice vinyasa yoga or pilates core with the sounds of only the Indian Ocean and sweet birds to accompany us! Your host, Shari will guide you through a dynamic flow and during the week we will include a yin and restorative session. As always, Shari will listen to what the group needs and adjust accordingly for the best wellness experience! Our lessons are in the morning before breakfast and in the late afternoon before dinner.
highlights
- Luxurious Accommodations: Stay at the celebrated Sayari Camp in the Serengeti and the stunning Manta Resort on Pemba Island, both known for their exceptional amenities and scenic views.
- Exclusive Game Drives: Explore the Serengeti with morning and evening safaris led by experienced guides, offering close encounters with diverse wildlife.
- Beach Yoga Sessions: Participate in daily yoga on the tranquil beaches of Pemba Island, with classes suitable for all levels and led by the expert yoga instructor, Shari.
- Spa Treatments: Indulge in a daily spa treatment such as massages, facials, and more, all set against the soothing natural backdrop of the serene Pemba Island.
- Gourmet Dining Experience: Enjoy full-board dining featuring a mix of local and Western cuisines, with meals served in picturesque settings.
- Snorkeling Adventures: Dive into the crystal-clear waters of Pemba Island for world-class snorkeling experiences in untouched coral reefs.
- Cultural Tour of Stone Town: Conclude the retreat with a tour of historic Stone Town in Zanzibar, exploring its famous architecture and vibrant culture.
- Ngalawa Sunset Cruise: Experience a traditional sunset cruise along the coast of Pemba Island, offering stunning views and a unique local sailing experience.
- Sandbank Excursion: Discover a pristine sandbank during low tide, providing a perfect setting for relaxation and tropical enjoyment.
- Personalized Wellness: Each activity, from yoga to spa treatments, is tailored to guest preferences, ensuring a personalized and restorative retreat experience.
guides
Yoga Safari Retreats with Shari:
Shari discovered the unlimited and positive effects of a consistent yoga practice over 15 years ago in San Francisco, California. Her journey included numerous disciplines, but it wasn’t until Ashtanga Vinyasa that she found her true yoga passion and was certified in 2010 in Florence, Italy (her other passion!). She now enjoys teaching a vigorous, playful and challenging vinyasa flow and core class accompanied by an equally dynamic playlist. She hopes through her teaching she can inspire others with the grace and love that she has found.
Shari has been leading yoga retreats and holidays with Sole Yoga Holidays for over 5 years in amazing locations from Greece to Israel to Zanzibar to Morocco and all over her adopted and gorgeous country, Italy.
start dates
detailed itinerary
Bush & Beach Luxury Yoga retreat:
The first 3-nights in Serengeti takes place at a the award-winning Sayari Camp, which sits in the north of Serengeti National Park is regularly voted as one of the top safari escapes, offering a superior guiding experience in this beautiful wildlife region.
Our accommodations are lovely tented suites with beautiful views over the plains. The bright and spacious suites have walk-in showers, al fresco tubs, and verandas. All of the suites have mahogany floors with either king or twin beds, fine linens, and colourful cushions.
Then we are off to spectacular Pemba Island. Pemba has been separated from the mainland of Tanzania and Zanzibar for decades, leaving an untouched and pristine island of great beauty and fertility. It is a sublime mosaic of forests, swamps, mangroves, hidden beaches and lagoons.
Our last 5-nights take place at Manta Resort. The jaw-dropping property is folded into the edge of a primitive forest and set on rising land overlooking the purest, most turquoise waters that ever caught your breath – these waters hide secrets of the most exquisite kind – coral reefs unspoilt – and they are fringed by snow white, delicately soft sand on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
The Garden Rooms are our accommodations for the 5-night stay. The private open-plan design, includes a four-posted king size bed, open en-suite bathroom and private garden with outside shower. The beautiful rooms are created from local materials and traditional Pemban decor with contemporary comfort.
In the Serengeti, we have included full-board meals. Each morning we will enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast with fresh fruits such as local mangos, pineapple and passion fruit, plus juices, eggs, local breads and heavenly sweets.
Mid-day includes a light buffet with a main course, salads and fresh bread. If we choose to stay out on a game drive all day, we can instead enjoy a picnic under the trees. Dinner is a heavenly three-course meal with a choice of dishes. You will be captured by the flavours, colours and scents from the kitchen, a heavenly blend of Swahili and Western recipes. Vegetarian options and non-vegetarian dishes are on the menu each evening. Local alcoholic beverages are also included.
In Pemba, full-board meals are included. We will indulge in coffee, fresh tropical fruits, juice, eggs, local breads, panckaes and homemade sweets after our our daily morning yoga session. Lunch and dinner includes a variety of fresh locally caught seafood as well as beef, chicken and vegan dishes, most of which have a distinct Pemba touch to them.
Most meal are served on the terrace but at times they are moved to the pool deck or beach for a change of scenery.
YOGA + ACTIVITIES- SERENGETI
Our days are quite full in the magnificent Serengeti!
We will start the day bright and early with a wake-up call and tea or coffee delivered to our accommodations. We can enjoy breakfast before our morning game drive (or have it packed as a picnic to take with you).
We arrive back at camp mid-morning and we can stretch and flow with a refreshing yoga session.
After a leisurely lunch, we will enjoy siesta time. We can take a dip in the pool, nap or enjoy a relaxing massage. Refuel with afternoon tea, then depart for an afternoon/evening game drive with sundowners.
We will play it by ear to see how everyone is feeling to incorporate a 2nd yoga or meditation session before dinner.
OPTIONAL Activities & Excursions in the Serengeti (prices TBD)
Massages
Walking Safari
Cultural Visit
Hot Air Balloon
YOGA + ACTIVITIES- PEMBA
1-2x per day, we will practice vinyasa yoga or pilates core with the sounds of only the Indian Ocean and sweet birds to accompany us! Your host, Shari will guide you through a dynamic flow and during the week we will include a yin and restorative session. As always, Shari will listen to what the group needs and adjust accordingly for the best wellness experience!
Our lessons are in the morning before breakfast and in the late afternoon before dinner.
SPA TREATMENTS
One spa treatment is included per guest, per day!
Enjoy a deep tissue massage, pedicure, manicure or facial to the sounds of rustling palms and crashing waves. Talk about leaving your worries behind!
There are 2 incredible excursions while we are on Pemba Island:
NGALAWA SUNSET CRUISE: The Ngalawa is a traditional sailing vessel used by fishermen on the island. Leaving from the beach at around 5:00 pm, we will cruise along the shoreline over the reefs, enjoying the golden sunset, the thrill of the sail and a bottle of bubbly.
SANDBANK EXCURSION: At low tide, we can walk along a pure white sandbank surrounded by azure blue waters. It is only a 10-minute boat ride from the resort on the most northern point of Pemba Island. We will enjoy refreshments and delicious tropical fruits.
STONE TOWN TOUR ZANZIBAR: We will depart Pemba Island and head to Zanzibar (we depart for home from Zanzibar Airport). We will enjoy a very special final acitivity of a Stone Town tour for a unique opportunity to learn about the soul of Zanzibar. We will explore the famous doors and learn about the history of this fascinating town. A delicious lunch is included.
OPTIONAL Activities & Excursions:
Pemba Island Excursion
Diving
Deep Sea Fishing
*SCHEDULE (estimated schedule for Pemba—SERENGETI schedule TBD)
8.00: Tea, Coffee, Juice
8.30-10.00: Vinyasa Flow
10.15: Breakfast
10.15-5.00pm: Free Time (beach, excursions, relax, massages)
5.30-7.00pm: Vinyasa Flow or Yin/Restorative
7.30pm: Dinner (Seafood, Vegetarian, Fresh/Local)
*complete/final schedule will be shared during Orientation on our Welcome Dinner
accommodation
price
LUXURY ROOM/EN SUITE BATH (1 OR 2 BEDS): $10,399 PER GUEST
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1200USD – ONLY 2 SINGLE ROOMS AVAILABLE
Spaces Secured with a $2000USD non-refundable deposit
Here is what our wonderful, exotic Tanzanian holiday includes:
• 3 nights award-winning Sayari Camp in Northern Serengeti
• 5 nights stunning ocean-front, private villa in Jambiani Beach
• 1 night Rivertrees Country Inn (night prior to retreat start dates- breakfast only)
• 1 daily session vinyasa yoga, pilates, yin or restorative (60 mins)
• Full board meals & beverages in Serengeti
• Full board meals & beverages in Pemba
• All Local alcoholic beverages in Serengeti
• All Local alcoholic beverages in Pemba
• One Spa Treatment PER DAY, per guest
• Flights from Arusha Airport to Kogatende & Kogatende to Pemba, Pemba to Zanzibar (departure airport)
• All game viewing activities at Sayari and private vehicle
• All park and conservation fees for the Serengeti
• All Laundry at Pemba / limited laundry at Serengeti
• Sand Bank Excursion with Refreshments
• Sunset Ngalawa Cruise with Cocktails
• Private Stone Town Spice Tour with Lunch
• Complimentary Snorkeling Equipment
• Pool, Private Beach Area
• Sun Beds
• All Transport to/from excursions
• All Transport at Kotatende Airport on arrival day
• Airport transfer to Zanzibar Airport on departure day
Retreat Limited to 10 people
(Not Included: airfare, additional transportation outside of included times, travel insurance (REQUIRED), gratuities for Serengeti staff, guide & drivers, visas, dinner at Rivertrees (first night), staff in Pemba, spa staff, Stone Town tour guide, any optional activity in Serengeti or Pemba)
additional information
TRANSPORTATION/TRAVEL INFO:
Transportation pick-up from Arusha Airport on Feb 10. Transportation included from Airport to Rivertrees Lodge. All other transport (flight to Serengeti, Serengeti to Pemba, Pemba to Zanzibar) iis included.
For departures from Zanzibar on Feb 19, we will leave the resort in Pemba in the morning and arrive in Stone Town for our tour and lunch. It is recommended to depart Zanzibar in the late afternoon or evening. Or, stay the evening of the 19th in Stone Town and depart the next day (spend a little more time in Stone Town! If you need hotel recommendations or other transport options outside of our included timeframe, we can happily arrange (extra costs TBD).
For information regarding visas, please consult this website or consult your specific country’s travel advisory. Entrance and exit requirements including vaccinations, can be reviewed on this website. Please consult your physician for any inquiries regarding vaccines. Travel insurance is REQUIRED for this retreat. PLEASE consult your travel agent for the best policy. Upon booking, other information will be provided including packing lists, and other essential items for Serengeti and Pemba Island.
The Accommodation
Are you ready for an experience of a lifetime?
If you would like to joing this Yoga safari just drop us a message.