African Awakening Adventure
Bringing you back home to your raw, real, authentic self
African Awakening
25 April - 5 May 2026
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.
25 April - 5 May 2026
10 nights/ 11 days
Arrive - Fly into King Shaka Durban Airport on Saturday 25 April. Drive 2 hours to the South Coast
REMEMBER: 4 nights of grounding and reconnecting; nurturing ceremony, magic and nourishing food on the wild and rugged Kwa-Zulu Natal South Coast
Sacred Pause: for 1 Night “up in the sky”, in the Maloti-Drakensburg
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 )
Integrate- 1 Night in Johannesburg’s leafy green suburbs
Return - Depart Johannesburg on Tuesday 5 May.
“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on Earth.
Once you have been there, you will never be the same.” – Brian Jackman
25 - 29 April: 4 nights of Remembering
Shirley and Laura hold sacred space for you to connect to yourself and each other, ground and feel the heartbeat of African soil in your bones at Gazeka Cottage, Southbroom.
4 nights in shared bedrooms
Laura’s magical family beachfront home is named “Gazeka Cottage”. 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 including Desire Map Workshop
Creative practices
Restorative Yoga
Cacao Ceremony in a magical garden
Sunrise Beach Dance
Sacred Silence for contemplation
Nourishing Local Food by Shirley, to ground you.
Massages at local Spa available at additional cost
Let’s take some time to arrive onto the powerful South African Soil. Remember our inner magic through ritual, dance and connection.
“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
29 - 30 April: a sacred pause
Leaving the lush Coast, we meander through the Midlands and stop overnight within uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains
1 night in the Drakensberg Mountain
We pause overnight, with the Mountains as our gurdians
We drive through the Golden Gate Highlands National Park and arrive at “The Valley”, near Ficksburg
30 April - 4 May: 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 and brothers.
4 nights in Thongo’s farm house cottages.
Shared bedrooms
This rewilding journey includes:
Ceremony, embodiment practices
African herbal medicine Steam
Breathwork, Meditation and yoga
Fire and Cave 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.
“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
4 - 5 May
Integrate and pause in Johannesburg
Johannesburg is a vibrant city with layers of culture, art, history and a melting pot of people.
We spend 1 night in the Leafy Suburbs of “The Parks”. To Integrate and recalibrate, before we go our separate ways
A time for us to say “Hamba Kahle” (Go well)
5 May: Drop off at OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
Meet your facilitators
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
INTERNATIONAL GUESTS:
10 NIGHTS/ 11 DAYS
25 April - 5 May
DURBAN-SOUTHBROOM-DRAKENSBURG-VALLEY-JOHANNESBURG
Per person sharing: S$5000. S$4500 Early bird until 30 November. 50% Deposit payable
Double deal: S$8200. Book in full for you and a friend together before 30 November and save S$900 each.
Payment plan available on request
SOUTH AFRICANS:
For South Africans living in South Africa
ZAR 25000 per person sharing (self drive)
We have options* for locals to attend a portion of the retreat (The Valley or Southbroom only) please email laura.yates@the-hummingbird-life.com to discuss options.
*subject to availability
Book for yourself and a friend before 30 November 2025 and get a $900 discount each
Early Bird Price until November
Pay the deposit before 30 November and make use of early bird pricing
Are you ready to give yourself the gift of adventure?
INCLUDES:
Transfer from Durban Airport to Southbroom
Transfer to OR tambo airport to Craighall Park
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 in Drakensberg 4 star hotel
4 nights Gakeza Beach Villa, Southbroom
Vehicle transport Durban 25 April to Johannesburg 5 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
Lunch and snacks on road travel days
Tips
Since we start our trip in Durban and end in Johannesburg, I suggest looking at Flying Emirates on a multi stop. Arriving in Durban and departing from Johannesburg.
Emirates is one of the only International airlines that flies to and from Durban
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 arrival from Johannesburg to Durban
Please find a list of Domestic airlines here
FLIGHT SUGGESTIONS available soon
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.
Logistics and Questions
Still have questions?
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.
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.
Lindy van de Vyver
