Yoga in Cape Town and along the Garden Route

You will start your stay by landing at Cape Town International Airport, from where you will be picked up as a group and taken to the luxurious Raddisson Blu Le Vendome on the scenic coast of South Africa's most beautiful city. Enjoy the spacious rooms and the renowned 5-star quality of this classic hotel. Indulge in a delicious, healthy breakfast buffet in the morning before setting off to experience the first of 11 invigorating days.

We head to Table Mountain, one of the outstanding new wonders of the world, to indulge in a rejuvenating morning yoga session on the flat summit and feel your body come alive as you breathe in the fresh mountain air. Take in the breathtaking view as you balance body and mind and engage in a balancing fusion of Iyengar and Hatha Yoga styles.

In the afternoon, explore the idyllic neighborhoods, grand architecture and spectacular natural beauty of the noble mother city from the vantage point of a comfortable double-decker bus. After sightseeing, you will take part in a communal yoga class with children from less privileged backgrounds. In this way we enrich not only our own souls, but also those of our fellow human beings who inhabit our common home. They will have some time to refresh themselves before we set off for the finale of the first day, an African dining experience like no other. Enjoy the traditional dances and exquisite cuisine in this unique restaurant with the fitting name - Gold.

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast buffet and a inspiring yoga session before going on a private tour to discover the pearls of the Cape. Our first stop is Cape Point Nature Reserve, let your body and mind relax as you become part of the virgin landscape, let your mind wander as you absorb the wonderful natural beauty that surrounds you.

After you've taken your time to relax, our next stop is Boulders Beach, rightly named after the impressive granite cliffs that make the coast freckled. This pretty stretch of coast in the lovely town of Simon's Town is home to a colony of African penguins that will delight you with their quirky escapades. When Mother Nature allows it, we meet for a yoga session where the fresh sea air enters our bodies and the pulse of the sea merges with the rhythm of our breath as we find our balance. From there we will make our way to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which is located at the foot of Table Mountain and is dedicated to the flora of the country. This magnificent garden is an ode to the charm and beauty of South Africa and will surely inspire a sense of divine balance.

After breakfast we will set off for the idyllic coastal town of Hermanus. Nestled between mountain and sea, this spot is the perfect place in which to find your equipoise. After checking into the elegant Windsor Hotel we will meander through the celebrated Hemel en Aarde valley, a renowned wine-makers haven, stopping off at various wine farms, tasting and exploring. We will make a turn at the local adventure centre and hop on some quad bikes for an exhilarating, scenic drive through several vineyards, into Fernkloof nature reserve, where we will be able to pause at a viewpoint with astounding views of Hermanus and Walker Bay. This vantage point allows for great whale watching potential, and as September is when the whale cows, calve, there will be plenty to see.  We will welcome the evening with Moon Salutations on the beach.   To end off this adventure filled day you will dine in an exquisite local restaurant, La Pentola, which overlooks the bay. Your food will be thoughtfully prepared, personally tailored by the chef, well known for his delectable creations.

This day is a day for doing anything your heart desires! Take a stroll through the charming seaside town, pay a visit to the Old Harbour Museum or lunch in a picturesque, cave – restaurant. For the more daring there’s diving with sharks, albeit protected by a cage, or whale watching from the vantage point of a boat. For those looking to unwind, there’s the option of an idyllic wander through Fernkloof nature reserve or along the famed Hermanus cliff path, which is perfect for whale watching by foot.  We will join a local Yoga Studio here and share our practice with the local yoga community.   

After breakfast we’ll set off for Oudtshoorn, a town settled between the Swartberg and Outeniqua mountain ranges, and the “capital” of the Klein Karoo. The open space inspires a sense of inner calm, aiding you in finding your own reserves of tranquillity will be our yoga masters, who will guide you through a blend of both Iyengar and Hatha asanas. After checking into the picturesque Swartberg Country Manor, we will pay a visit to the awe – inspiring Cango caves, where you will be taken on an informative tour of the ancient limestone network, you have the option of separately booking a more adventurous tour if you are interested in exploring more of the caves. The day will be concluded with another yoga session, aiding your relaxation with a flowing sequence, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the here and now, the beauty and serenity of the semi – desert landscape.

After breakfast we will make our way to Knysna, passing through the picture – perfect Outeniqua Mountain Pass.  This quaint seaside town will be our home for the following two days. After settling into the beautiful Blackwaters River Lodge, we will gather for an invigorating yoga session to help awaken all our senses to the natural splendour that surrounds us. In the afternoon we will venture out to sea for a marine tour with Ocean Odyssey to experience the eclectic array of marine fauna. Once back on land, we will once again converge for a slow-down yoga/meditation session, uniting the untamed vibration of the sea with our own personal vibration.

After breakfast and an energy injected yoga session, we will make our way to the enchanting Knysna Forest, where elephants have been known to amble. Following the foot path you will experience the true magic of the indigenous woodland, spotted throughout with private hide–aways and freshwater streams. After our revitalizing walk we will slow our breath and reflect, bringing our attention inwards as we meditate on our own paths. Once back at the lodge, you have the option of basking in a spa treatment, or otherwise simply relaxing under one of the trees on the river bank, with a book and a cup of tea. In the afternoon, you have the option of canoeing on the Goukamma river, stand up paddling in the river or ocean, exploring the seaside haven or simply lounging on the lawn, basking in the natural beauty.

After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the River Lodge and set forth to Storms River, tucked away in the Tsitsikamma National Park. After checking into the historic Tsitsikamma Village Inn, we will convene for a morning yoga session, awakening our consciousness to the pristine beauty that engulfs us. After our asanas, we will make our way to the Robberg Trail, which winds itself along the Robberg peninsula, giving you a spectacular view of the ocean, as well as an eyeful of the natural fauna and flora, including cape fur seals, duikers and cape clawless otters. Yoga mats will await you in a captivating location, where you will be lead by our yoga masters through a fluid session, bringing you into your body in order to experience your surrounds with vivid detail. After the hike, you will be given time to relax and re – energize, whether it be with a nap or an exploration of the forest or the grounds of the picturesque inn.  

After breakfast, we will say goodbye to the River Lodge and set forth to Storms River, tucked away in the Tsitsikamma National Park. After checking into the historic Tsitsikamma Village Inn, we will convene for a morning yoga session, awakening our consciousness to the pristine beauty that engulfs us. After our asanas, we will make our way to the Robberg Trail, which winds itself along the Robberg peninsula, giving you a spectacular view of the ocean, as well as an eyeful of the natural fauna and flora, including cape fur seals, duikers and cape clawless otters. Yoga mats will await you in a captivating location, where you will be lead by our yoga masters through a fluid session, bringing you into your body in order to experience your surrounds with vivid detail. After the hike, you will be given time to relax and re – energize, whether it be with a nap or an exploration of the forest or the grounds of the picturesque inn.  

After breakfast, inhale the fresh, earthy aroma of the wild African air, while you stretch your body and mind, let the asanas work their magic through your being, centring and re-energizing you. Filled with thrilling game viewing opportunities, you will be lost in the absolute power of the natural world, completely untouched by the human hand. Lunch in the open air, let the wild spirit engulf you as you breathe in all new possibilities and breathe out all constraints. In the afternoon, enjoy a slow flowing yoga sequence, designed to harmonize and quieten your mind. In the evening, indulge in a sunset game drive, feel yourself become part of the terrain, feel the spirit of the leaping Springbok, indulge in the ferocity of the prowling lioness. As the darkness inundates the landscape, look to the stars and find the wisdom in their eternal, fleeting existence.

After a healthy breakfast enjoyed in the crisp air, let our master yogi’s guide you through a reflective, energising sequence as you absorb the wild landscape. We will then make our way back to Cape Town International airport where we will say farewell.