About The Retreat

The majesty of Kenya awaits you! Embrace the splendor of Africa on a luxurious Kenyan safari where wildlife roams freely, including rare and endangered species.

Great landmasses, centuries-long traditions, shimmering lakes, elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceros, hippos, giraffes, flamingos – are all here.

Get ready to enjoy 5 of Kenya’s most outstanding game reserves in private 4×4 safari vehicles for an unforgettable road trip.

Our carefully designed tour begins and ends in Nairobi, and guides us through Samburu National Reserve, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, and Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Experience some of the best possible game viewings in this unforgettable safari adventure while staying in some of the world’s most luxurious and intimate safari lodges and tents.

We’ve done all the research, planning, and arranging for you, so you get to sit back and enjoy. Our daily wellness offerings (yoga, Pilates, stretch, dance, meditation) will work around the day’s safari itinerary.

Space is very limited. Journey with us, and let the sweeping natural beauty of Kenya captivate your heart and nourish your soul.

Leave feeling renewed joy and a lightness of heart, spirit, and body.

Your Retreat Leaders

The Retreat Planners, Rimmi Singh and Karen Best (AKA Samira Shuruk) design dream travel retreats that offer immersive, cultural experiences in a nurturing environment.

Rimmi Singh is a committed yoga teacher with over 2 decades experience, and Ayurveda consultant. She is just as passionate about travel, nutrition, community and wellness-getaways. Karen Best has been a dedicated mind-body movement instructor since 1986, and professional dancer (Samira Shuruk) she loves culture, nature, travel, dance and hospitality. Rimmi will be leading yoga and meditation.

Karen will be leading Pilates, mobility-stretch, belly dance and meditation. All classes will be offered to accommodate multiple levels with a focus on promoting healing and energy.

Accommodation

We have reserved luxury safari lodges in the heart of nature so that we can see and hear our animal friends in their natural surroundings!

In Samburu, our luxury tents are along the banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River under a thick stand of doum palms. The tents are permanent structures enrobed in canvas and equipped with dressing rooms, sitting rooms, and a terrace with views of the river.

In Naivasha, our luxury cottages are situated on the southern shores of Lake Naivasha – the only freshwater Lake within Africa’s Great Rift Valley.

In Nakuru, our luxury bungalows are on the rolling hills of Africa’s Great Rift Valley and offer spectacular views for bird watchers and wildlife lovers alike.

Our Masai Mara luxury club tents offer spectacular views of the vast Mara Plains. They are spacious and decorated in earth tones with large beds, chairs, wardrobes, and a desk. The tents have glass panel doors and a deck outside for game viewing from your daybed.

All our resorts feature swimming pools, meandering walking paths, and al-fresco dining options. Community living and sharing is part of Kenyan culture and inspired by this, most of the meals at lodges and game camps are buffet-style.

Day Trips

• Boat Safari at Lake Naivasha
• Biking Safari through Hell’s Gate National Park
• Walking safari at Crescent Island
• Visit Samburu Village Tribe
• Visit Rhinoceros sanctuary
• Savor Kenya’s vast topography of the Savanna terrains, Great Rift Valley, and the snow-capped Mount Kenya

Itinerary / Locations

Samburu National Reserve
This Reserve is bordered to the south by the Ewaso Nyiro River and is characterized by exceptional game viewing like the Grevy’s zebra with huge, furry ears, gerenuk antelope standing on hind legs to feed, Somali ostriches with distinct blue legs, Reticulated giraffe, shy Oryx and predators like lion, leopard, and cheetah.

Elephant and crocodile sightings are common; excellent bird watching with numerous varieties of weaverbirds and the martial eagle.

Our luxury accommodations for our two nights in Samburu are set in the spectacular backdrop of the Mighty Ol Olokwe Mountain fronting the Ewaso Nyiro River within the Buffalo Springs Reserve.

Lake Nakuru & Lake Naivasha
Nakuru is Swahili for “place of the waterbuck,” and here you will see waterbuck aplenty, along with hippos, giraffe, zebra, impala, ostrich, gazelle, abundant bird species, a rhino sanctuary, and more. Our trip in the Great Rift Valley Escarpment brings you stunning scenery.

Lake Naivasha region includes Hell’s Gate National Park, geysers, our boat safari, bike safari, walking safari amongst zebra and giraffe, and more. Our lodges in these two lake areas include meandering grounds where zebra frolic, monkeys engage in monkey business, and hippos manicure the lawns at night.

Masai Mara Game Reserve – The Kingdom of Lions
Masai Mara, known for its concentration of wildlife, is particularly famous for its populations of big cats, with high concentrations of lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Get ready to hear nature’s roar!

We’ll enjoy the majesty of Masai Mara for three nights. Typically, our days will include morning and afternoon game drives. Afternoons will provide time for our classes, swimming, reading, socializing, and lounging in our private balconies. Some evenings we will embrace the Kenyan tradition of toasting the sunset in an outdoor Sundowner.

Retreat Price

~ Early Bird Pricing

Available through December 31, 2021, with a $2,500 deposit
$5,495 pp** (double occupancy)

$ 6,995 pp** (single occupancy)

Early bird pricing balance due by February 15

~ Full Pricing

Starts January 1, 2022 with a $2,500 deposit
$5,995 pp** (double occupancy)

$ 7,495 pp** (single occupancy)

Full pricing balance due by March 15

Included

• 11 days/10 nights of amazing adventure with luxury lodging
• Three delicious, meals daily
• English speaking guides and 4×4 safari jeeps
• Daily safaris in different parks, lakes and regions
• Airport transfers to and from Nairobi, Kenya Airport (NBO). One airport group shuttle June 28. One airport group shuttle July 7.
• Luxury accommodations in the heart of nature. All resorts have swimming pools, meandering paths, al-fresco dining
• Our guide booklet for your travel and packing preparation

Not included

• International airfare
• Tips and gratuity
• Cocktails and alcoholic beverages
• Optional Hot Air balloon ride in Masai Mara (additional $420 pp)
• Any additional excursions not included in the package
• Optional spa treatments
• Covid test before US departure, and before Kenya departure
• Travel insurance (required)

How to book

Covid-19 Policy for The Retreat Planners 2022

We have carefully chosen our 2022 destinations based on their (at time of booking) lower Covid risk than the US, and the ability to focus much of our activities outside in fresh, open-air. Proof of vaccination is required of all guests.

Travel insurance is for your own benefit and required for our international retreats.

For further information visit the Retreat Planners website or contact Karen theretreatplanners@gmail.com