African Awakening Retreat

Bringing you back home to your raw, real, authentic self

African Awakening

REAWAKEN YOUR WILD SPIRIT

“The moment your bare feet kiss the raw earth of Mama Africa, her heartbeat starts to resonate through your blood and through your bones.

Whether you are born of the land, or a visitor, your heart starts to beat in rhythm with hers and she welcomes you back home to your wild, wise and magnificent self.”

Discover your heart’s rhythm “off the tourist trail”, alongside four magical South African medicine women and their sacred land.

A life changing experience in South Africa, where humanity first began. Honouring Land, honouring Ancestors, honouring YOURSELF

Laura’s dream and intention is to gift you the chance to embody the feeling of being grounded on African soil and dance to the rhythm of your own drum.

This retreat will enhance your sense of belonging and community with other Spiritually like minded women.

By feeling the echo and drum beat of the African rhythm through your bones, your blood and your heart; you will awaken your connection to your body, your unleashed wild spirit, to the earth and to the wisdom of nature.

You will discover how ancient, sacred lands can help you to heal your ancestry, transform your life and unleash the true rhythm of your heart.

I AM READY TO AWAKEN!

23 April to 2 May 2025, with optional extra from 2-5 May

9 nights/ 10 days OR 12 nights/14 days

Ground: 1 Night in Johannesburg’s leafy green suburbs

REWILD: 4 nights in ritual and ceremony within the foothills of the majestic Maloti Mountains (think, dancing around the fire, Waterfall cleanse, cave ceremony and deep connection to ancestors )
Sacred Pause: for 1 Night “up in the sky”, at Giants Castle, Maloti-Drakensburg National Park
REMEMBER: 3 nights of integration, nurturing ceremony, magic and nourishing food on the wild and rugged Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast
RESTORE: Optional add on: 3 nights at Big 5 Game reserve: 12 nights/13 days until 5 May

TAKE ME TO AFRICA

“Africa is not just a destination; it is a journey into the self, a pilgrimage where every step

reveals a new facet of the traveller's spirit and a deeper connection to the wild.” - unknown

23 April

Ground and connect in Johannesburg upon arrival

Johannesburg is a vibrant city with layers of culture, art, history and a melting pot of people.

On arrival we spend the night in the Leafy Suburb of Craighall Park.

Connecting to each other and grounding into the heartbeat of Africa.

24 - 28 April: 4 nights of Rewilding

Join Thongo & Lisa as they take you on a journey to reconnect with the magic and beauty of life, with nature, the earth, the waters and your sisters.

4 nights in Thongo’s farm house cottages.

Shared bedrooms, with one night in the cave

This rewilding journey includes:

Ceremony, embodiment practices
African herbal medicine Steam
Breathwork, Meditation and yoga
Fire ceremony
African song, dance and sound
Ancestral Healing

Let’s co-create a mystical experience in the heart of Africa. With Scents, resins herbs and potions, enticing the senses and opening our minds and hearts

Lisa Shares a little about what to expect

“When the African drum speaks, it tells stories of generations past, it awakens the spirit, and it unites communities in a powerful celebration of life.” – Miriam Makeba.

OMG I NEED THIS!

“Amidst Africa’s wilderness, I find myself truly alive. The rustling leaves, the distant roar, the chirping birds – all come together to create a melody that resonates with my soul.” - unknown

28 April: a night in the sky

Leaving the mountain foothills, we drive through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and stop over at the Basothi Cultural Village.

We stop overnight at Giants Castle, within the World Heritage Site of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains

1 night share cottages at Giants Castle Resort

We pause overnight, high up in the mountains and reflect on our time in the Valley,
We star gaze on this beautiful New Moon Night
We take this opportunity to honour the San People (first inhabitants of Southern Africa) by visiting caves featuring their rock art and storytelling.

“One can no more separate the land from the people of Africa than one

can separate the roots from the tree.” – Elspeth Huxley

I AM READY TO REWILD AND REMEMBER

29 April - 2 May: 3 nights of Remembering

Shirley and Laura hold sacred space for you to integrate, celebrate and remember your magic at Gazeka Cottage, Southbroom.

3 nights in shared bedrooms

Laura’s magical family beachfront home is named “Gazeka Cottage”.

Her maternal Great Grandfather was a conjuror (performing magician) and “Gazeka” was his magic word.

This sacred beachfront land with views of the Indian Ocean has proved to be both magical and healing for 4 generations.

This remembering journey includes:

Energy Integration practices
Witchy Samhain & Beltane Crafts and honouring ancestors in a Wheel of the Year Ritual
Meditation and Yoga on the beach
Restorative Yoga
Cacao Ceremony and Beach Dance
Sacred Silence for contemplation and
Nourishing Food by Shirley

Let’s take some quiet time to integrate our time in the Valley and Remember our inner magic through ritual, dance and connection.

A time for us to say “Hamba Kahle” (Go well) or “Usale Kahle ” (Stay well)

“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on Earth.

Once you have been there, you will never be the same.” – Brian Jackman

COUNT ME IN!

2 - 5 May: Restore: Optional add on

3 nights at Bayete Zulu Lodge

Priced as an optional extra, if your timing and budget allows.

Alternatively, drop off at King Shaka International Airport, Durban.

For those staying on;

Bayete Zulu Lodge picks up and drop off from King Shaka Airport, Durban

Set in the heart of the Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve, Zululand – Northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Sensational game viewing in open 4×4 vehicles with knowledgeable guides, coupled with warm hospitality and breathtaking views, makes Bayete Zulu the perfect place to relax and soak up the sights and sounds of the spectacular African bush.

This restoring journey includes:

Evening camp fires with the sounds of the African Bush
Cacao Ceremony

Luxury ensuite chalets, meals, local beer/wine & soft drinks,
2 x game drives per day, to see what magical African animals show themselves to us

Meet your facilitators

Laura

Laura is the founder of The Hummingbird Life.
Laura embodies the philosophy that our connection to nature is the answer to living a joy-filled existence.
Her ceremonies create magical portals that access the realms of the natural world.
Laura has been facilitating dance, yoga, meditation, ceremonies and energy healing for more than a decade. Through her own experience of embodied healing, she helps you empower yourself to find your inner joy spark.
Laura has a passion for building communities of women where they feel safe, nurtured and a sense of belongng.
By sharing the sweet nectar of experiences to cross-pollinate the world to help others to bloom and grow - just like a hummingbird, her spirit animal.
Lisa

Lisa creates safe and sacred spaces in which humans can connect to their magic and magnificence.
The spaces which she creates offer profound transformation, awakening and returning back to love.
Lisa has been facilitating transformational retreats for almost a decade.
She creates space for humans to “human”, to feel, dance, explore and create.
She has trained and initiated within many modalities. Yoga, Coaching, Shamanic Energy Medicine Ceremonialist, ixCacao Kuchina, Breathwork facilitator, TRE (Trauma informed).
Lisa is a story teller and will take you on a mystical journey within.
Thongo

Thongo walks a path, anchored in understanding around New Earth Frequency. Weaver, dreamer, South African initiated Medicine Woman she is a true guardian of our Land.
She is trained in the use of traditional African medicines and associated modalities.
She has also spent time initiating with sacred plant medicines, including Psilocybin and medicines from South America.
She works with and honours the sacred plants and holds a deep space of integrity and safety.
Thongo’s ability to call in and connect to ancestor medicine is truly remarkable.
Her land and her home, where we will spend 4 nights is seeped in the scaredness and respect she holds for South Africa, it’s land and it’s people.
Shirley

With a passion for nourishing both body and soul, Shirley has been dedicated to crafting wholesome and delicious meals that enhance the experience of yoga and mindfulness retreats.
With 15 years of experience in the culinary arts, she specializes in creating nutritiously dense menus that cater to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, gluten-free, and raw foods.
Shirley believes that food should not only nourish the body but also inspire joy and connection. Each dish is thoughtfully prepared using fresh, local ingredients, ensuring that every bite supports well-being and sustainability. Her culinary philosophy emphasizes simplicity and nutrition with the importance of mindful eating.
At the heart of Shirley’s catering is a commitment to fostering a serene and supportive environment where retreat participants can indulge in healthy eating while focusing on their personal growth and wellness. Whether it's a vibrant breakfast treat, a refreshing salad, or a decadent dessert, she strives to create meals that are as beautiful as they are nourishing.

Pricing

9 NIGHTS/ 10 DAYS

23 APRIL - 2 MAY

JOHANNESBURG-VALLEY-GIANTS CASTLE-SOUTHBROOM-DURBAN

PER PERSON SHARING: S$3800

(approx USD 2700 depending on exchange rate)

Payment plan available: Pay S$ 1000 for 4 months

ADDITONAL ADD ON: 3 nights/4 days

2 - 5 May

DURBAN-BAYETE LODGE-DURBAN

PER PERSON SHARING: SGD 1800

(approx USD 1370 depending on exchange rate)

Payment plan available: Pay S$ 1450 for 4 months

I AM READY TO INVEST IN MYSELF!

For South Africans residing in South Africa:

A few spots are available at a ZAR rate which will be “self drive”. And you may have the option of joining just for the Rewild section of the retreat.

Please book a call with me to discuss ZAR based options.

INCLUDES:

Transfer from OR tambo airport to Craighall Park (depending on arrival time)
All accommodation is shared (2 per room) depending on number of guests
1 night Bed and Breakfast in Johannesburg
4 nights in the Valley
1 night Giants Castle Resort
3 nights Gakeza Cottage, Southbroom
3 nights at Bayete Lodge (if optional add on is booked)
Luxury SUV transport (driven by Laura): Johannesburg on 24 April to Durban on 2 May
All food except exclusions mentioned below
All activities, Ceremonies, meditation and movement facilitation mentioned above
Spiritual Coaching along the way
Guided walks
African Gift bag filled with specially sourced goodies
Pre retreat call with Thongo and Lisa
SGD50 donation to Made for Girls,

Providing essential sanitary pads and hygiene education to Rural South African school girls in need. Your contributions are making a real difference, helping us empower women and promote menstrual health.

EXCLUDES:

International and local flights
Visas
Travel insurance
Dinner in Johannesburg on arrival
Lunch and snacks on road travel days
San Rock Art museum entrance fee
Bayete Lodge Conservation Levy – R 175 per adult
Tips

BRING ME HOME

Outreach

With each booking a SGD50 donation will be made to Made for Girls,

Made for Girls is my charity of choice because they have show how a small group of women, with big hearts can change the lives of many.

Period poverty is a real issue in rural South Africa, we need to bring funds and awareness to this cause.

At Made for Girls, we believe that every girl deserves access to sanitary products so they can pursue their education without interruption. We are dedicated to providing sanitary products to girls in schools, ensuring they have the resources they need to manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.

About Us

Made for Girls was founded in 2020, when i recognized the critical need for menstrual products in the Border (Eastern Cape, South Africa) region. Realising the challenges faced by girls in accessing these essential items, i was horrified to find out that they use newspaper or old bit of cloth that they can find. On the 3rd June 2020, Made for Girls was officially registered as a Non-Profit Company (NPC), marking the beginning of our journey to support girls.

Additionally, we employ a single mom of two thus providing employment.

Our Mission

Our mission at Made for Girls is simple, to ensure that no girl misses out on her education due to a lack of access to sanitary products. We believe that education is a fundamental right for all, and by addressing the menstrual hygiene needs of girls, we empower them to stay in school, learn, and thrive.

What We Do

Made for Girls works closely with schools and communities to distribute sanitary products to girls in need. We understand the challenges many girls face in accessing these essential items, which is why we are committed to providing them free of charge.

Made for Girls collaborates with various charitable organizations to expand our reach and address the multifaceted needs of the community. Together, we distribute sanitary products, provide educational workshops on menstrual health, and offer support.

Lindy van de Vyver

A note from Laura

The calling to hold this retreat in my home land, and my home province comes from a deep desire to offer my international clients their own experience of what it FEELS like to be connected to the Land of Africa.

Each of the places I have chosen for us to stay have been carefully selected based on my desire to showcase magic of the “less walked” path of South Africa.

Away from the general tourist trail, I wish to share with you the raw and real South Africa.

Each location holds special reverence in either mine or another facilitator’s life, and some are considered sacred to indigenous guardians of the land.

Many places are from my personal experience of being held and supported by the magic of Nature and Mama Africa.

I also have a wish to share the magic of medicine women based in South Africa, with the world.

There are many phenomenal facilitators in SA that I would have loved to have included, maybe next time...For now;

Shirley is here, because she is such a dear, long term friend and has been my partner in sharing retreat spaces since 2017. and she holds the essence of her relationship with plants, spirit and land in such and inspiring way.

Lisa is here, because she is my reason for discovering and honouring the medicine of ixCacao. She was my first Cacao teacher and is an inspiration as a transformational space holder

Thongo is here, because of her authentic, down to earth and humble power of following her calling. She personally embodies what it means to walk the path.

I FEEL SO CONNECTED TO THESE WOMEN!

Since we start our trip in Johannesburg and end in Durban, I suggest looking at Flying Emirates on a multi stop. Arriving in Johannesburg and departing from Durban

Emirates is one of the only International airlines that flies out of Durban, and you may find it more efficient than flying back out via Johannesburg.
Alternatively you can have your International flight arriving in and departing from Johannesburg. And then book a one way domestic flight on your day of departure from Durban to Johannesburg.
Please find a list of Domestic airlines here

Laura will hire a Luxury SUV to drive international guests to each destination. this will be limited to 6 people.
You may wish to add on additional time for yourself before or after the retreat dates, perhaps just check arrival and departure timings with Laura
South Africa can be unpredictable in terms of electricity and water availability. Although we endeavour to make your stay as comfortable was possible, with processes in place to counter disruptions. We ask that you please be patient, compassionate and open hearted with any disruptions in municipal services.