Into the Wild Yoga Retreat
28 September – 4 October 2024
Watamu, Kenya
The Kenyan village of Watamu beholds soft white sand beaches, turquoise pure waters, coral gardens and tiny paradise islands. Watamu is a Marine National Park offering a pristine snorkelling and diving experience with colourful corals, fish, stingrays and turtles. The region is habitat to abundant forest, wildlife, birds and butterflies. This paradise place is spiced with Kenyan, Arab and Italian culture. The delightful village features quaint Kenyan dukas and the ancient Gede Ruins, a mysterious 13th century Swahili village is nearby.

Watamu Treehouse is set amidst Kenya’s indigenous coastal forest on the edge of Watamu’s white sand beach. It has been ecologically constructed with tropical simplicity in harmony with the beauty of nature. The structural features reflect Gaudi’s artistic architectural flair. The interior is designed in traditional Kenyan style with white, wood and splashes of colour to uplift your soul. Balconies open to sunrise ocean views or sunset forest views so that your gaze beholds beauty everywhere you look.

On waking up in this turquoise-white verdant paradise, we shared a blissful sunrise sadhana at the ocean-view yoga shala surrounded by indigenous forest, wildlife, bird song and the azure horizon. Moving through beautiful sequencing and creative namaskars, we embodied the beauty and power of nature through Ayurveda inspired Vinyasa and Dharma Yoga. At sunset, we surrendered to an introspective Yin Yoga and meditation practice at allowing our being to rest, rejuvenate and renew. As the sun descended into the forest, we shared coconut water or juice and a tropical sundowner delight.

Sunrise to Sunset we immersed ourselves in the natural beauty of soft white sands, crystalline-turquoise waters and forest. We swam in the natural cool-pool under a canopy of trees, relaxed on the sublime rooftop spaces and indulged in a blissful massages. This is life at the Treehouse.
Kenya’s fertile land gifts food of the gods for our bountiful retreat nourishment. Watamu Treehouse cuisine is abundant in flavour, colour, nutrients and freshness. Flavours are inspired by Swahili, Indian and Middle Eastern cultures. We enjoyed freshly squeezed juice, coconut water or smoothies at sunrise and sunset. Ingredients are sourced with care at local markets and made with love. Principles of vibrancy and freshness ensure that food is bursting with life force.

In our free time, we walked along the pristine white sands of Garoda and Turtle Beach and immersed in the natural paradise of the place. On one afternoon, yogis shared a sublime Stand Up Paddle-board yoga class and glided through the mangroves waterways along Mida Creek. One morning, we walked through the villages learning about local life, culture and medicinal plants; teaching us that the nature’s bounty provides and these communities are self-sustained. We floated with the current along the jewel of Mida Creek to a pure white sand beach where tropical fruits and Swahili breakfast awaited us. We strolled back along the paradise sands to Watamu Treehouse feeling fully blessed by the wonder of nature. Other yogis snorkelled in the coral gardens steps from the Treehouse observing many colourful corals, fish and stingrays. One evening, we shared fresh crab samosas and local drinks watching the sunset over the serene waters of Mida Creek. This deep immersion into Mother Nature was balm for our soul.
Some yogis visited Tsavo National Park and journeyed Into the Wild of Kenya, experiencing a wildlife safari to view the majestic animals of Africa including elephants, lions, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, gazelle, bamboon. The sunset and sunrise savannah plains are a golden expanse of space and sky that set your spirit free.
The white sands and turquoise Indian Ocean is an extraordinary and unforgettable setting where the power of nature pervades your body-being and takes you on a soul journey home.
We were blessed to retreat together in the pure beauty and power of nature in Kenya!