02-07-2025
Desert & Delta Safaris announces Okavango Awakening Wellness Retreat
Desert & Delta Safaris launches the Okavango Awakening Wellness Retreat, blending mindfulness, culture, and nature for a transformative experience in Botswana.
Desert & Delta Safaris unveil the Okavango Awakening Wellness Retreat, an exclusive four-night experience which launches on November 28th 2025. Designed for guests seeking profound connection and restoration, this immersive journey promises to blend movement, mindfulness, and cultural exploration in Botswana's awe-inspiring Okavango Panhandle.
Hosted at the secluded Nxamaseri Island Lodge, the retreat offers a rare opportunity to engage deeply with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Okavango Delta and the ancient Tsodilo Hills, while reconnecting with nature, self, and spirit. Guests seeking this explorative adventure will spend three nights at Nxamaseri Island Lodge and one night at the Tsodilo Hills Sleep-Out, and partake in a plethora of rejuvenating activities, including guided meditation and breathwork sessions, stargazing, and sunrise summit hikes.
The Awakening Experience: A Journey of Renewal
The Okavango Awakening Wellness Retreat is curated for a select group of just 10, ensuring intimacy and personalised attention. Under the guidance of renowned wellness expert and certified yoga instructor Kerrith O'Fee, participants will embark on a holistic journey that weaves together ancient wisdom, mindful movement, and the tranquil rhythms of the Okavango.
Kerrith is the founder of Victoria Falls Yoga and holds degrees in psychology and wellness, and brings a wealth of expertise to the retreat. Her approach is rooted in both scientific understanding and spiritual tradition, ensuring that each guest's experience is both nurturing and transformative.
'It's a rare blend of local life, ancient culture, and the slow, peaceful rhythms of the Okavango Panhandle. Even the lodge itself, with its towering jackalberry trees and palms, feels like a hidden sanctuary. It's the ideal setting for self-reflection and transformation,' says Kerrith.
Each day begins with sunrise yoga on Nxamaseri's dedicated yoga deck overlooking the serene lagoon. Guests are invited to participate in guided strength and conditioning flows, sound healing sessions, and reflective journalling. These practices are thoughtfully designed to foster mindfulness, enhance physical well-being, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.
Nxamaseri Island Lodge: Sanctuary on the Water
Situated on a private island in the permanent winding waterways of the Okavango Panhandle, Nxamaseri Island Lodge is a haven of tranquillity and beauty. The lodge features just eight chalets, each thoughtfully positioned for privacy and immersion in nature. Surrounded by lush greenery, guests can unwind in the spa or take a dip in the swimming pool between activities.
The lodge's design and atmosphere celebrate the slower pace of life in the Delta, encouraging guests to disconnect from the outside world and fully embrace the rhythms of the wild.
Wellness Spa: Tribal Roots and Local Empowerment
The Nxamaseri Wellness Spa, in partnership with Tribal Roots, offers a range of treatments using organic, local products made by women from the surrounding communities. The spa's philosophy centres on sustainability, empowerment and holistic healing. Treatments can be booked in advance or arranged during your stay, with payment accepted by credit card at the lodge.
Cultural Immersion: The Spirit of Tsodilo Hills
A highlight of the retreat is the overnight expedition to Tsodilo Hills, accessed via a breathtaking helicopter transfer (for an additional cost) over the Okavango Panhandle or an exclusive transfer using Desert & Delta Safaris' brand-new decked-out minibus. At the Sleep-Out Camp, guests sleep beneath the stars at Botswana's Highest peak, the Male Hill. The evening features a traditional trance dance ceremony led by a local San Bushmen group, offering a rare glimpse into one of Africa's oldest cultural traditions.
Tsodilo Hills, known locally as 'the Mountains of the Gods', is a place of immense spiritual and cultural significance for Botswana's ancient cultures. With more than 4,500 ancient rock paintings, the hills are a living gallery of human history and a sacred site for rituals, storytelling, and prayer.
Guided by local experts, guests will explore the hills' unique geology and art, gaining insight into the beliefs and traditions of the region's oldest inhabitants. The sense of solitude and tranquillity at Tsodilo is profound, offering a rare chance to reflect and connect with the land's ancient spirit.
Epic Experiences: Wellness Meets Adventure
The Okavango Awakening Wellness Retreat is part of Desert & Delta Safaris' Epic Experiences collection, a series of tailor-made itineraries celebrating Botswana's most unique destinations and adventures. This seasonal offering runs alongside the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Ultra Marathon collaboration, offering opportunities to combine wellness with adventure, cultural immersion, and conservation.
Other Epic Experiences include birding, fishing, women's empowerment journeys, and sleep-out adventures, each designed to offer exclusivity and extraordinary value.
The Okavango Awakening Wellness Retreat invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and immerse yourself in a landscape rich with natural beauty and ancient wisdom. With its thoughtful blend of wellness, culture and adventure, this retreat is designed to leave you feeling renewed, connected, and inspired, a true awakening in the heart of Botswana.
