7 – 16 May 2026
Be moved to follow your instinct and intuition, as you explore your somatic experience in the African wilderness.
This 10-day retreat facilitated by renowned clinical psychologist Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, is designed to help you move past trauma, liberate yourself from emotional burdens, and transform your life.
Embark upon a nature-based healing journey in the South African wilderness aiming to guide you on the path toward post-traumatic growth. Dr Arielle Schwartz’s integrative approach brings you science-backed techniques for trauma recovery.
There are times when existence may call us elsewhere. Not in an attempt to escape, but in a movement towards what really matters, what resonates. Walking towards the essential sometimes means leaving behind the unknown to open up to other lands, other visions, other silences. It’s about giving space to what’s whispering deep inside. It is with this intention that Arielle’s programme was designed and the nature-based itinerary curated: an inner journey, an invitation to slow down, to feel, to experience transformation with a community of like-minded people, and to return to what is alive within us.
Together with Arielle, you will explore practical vagus nerve stimulation techniques aimed to rewire your resilience. Not only will this course demystify trauma and the pain it causes, but it will empower you with resources to help you move past hopelessness as you reclaim your strength and courage.
This mind-body retreat includes therapeutic writing, guided meditations, conscious breathing, and gentle therapeutic yoga. Arielle will be your compassionate guide as you learn to strengthen your inner resilience, increase your understanding, and develop a deeper appreciation of yourself.
The programme is based upon Dr. Schwartz’s award winning book, The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook and guides you through a healing journey that enhances resilience and inspire post-traumatic growth. Dr. Schwartz’s resilience-informed-therapy includes techniques drawn from Somatic (body-centred) psychology, EMDR Therapy, Parts-Work Therapies, and therapeutic yoga.
7 – 16 May 2026
10 Days / 9 Nights
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, mother, and wife with a private practice in Boulder, Colorado. She is a certified complex trauma professional, EMDR Consultant, and Kripalu yoga teacher. She is an internationally sought-out teacher and leading voice in the field of trauma recovery and the author of six books including The Complex PTSD Workbook, Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook.
She is dedicated to offering informational mental health and wellness updates through her writing, public speaking, social media presence, and blog. As the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy, she offers integrative, mind-body approach to therapy includes relational therapy, parts-work therapy, somatic psychology, EMDR Therapy, and therapeutic yoga for trauma. She has been teaching therapeutic yoga since 2008 with an emphasis on applied polyvagal theory which focuses on addressing imbalances within the autonomic nervous system that underlie mental and physical health symptoms.
Dr. Schwartz has a passion for hiking in nature combined with her love of photography. She believes that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart. Learn more about Arielle at www.drarielleschwartz.com.
Mpumalanga province is affectionately known as the province of the rising sun, owing to the translation of the word Mpumalanga and the fact that it lies in the most eastern part of the country. The province is home to the famous Kruger National Park, one of the largest game reserves in the world, which is home to the big five (lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos and leopards).
Agriculture, is the backbone of the Mpumalanga’s economy, and employs 8.1% of its total workforce. An abundance of citrus fruit and many other subtropical fruit – mangoes, avocados, litchis, bananas, papayas, granadillas, guavas – as well as nuts and a variety of vegetables are produced in the province. During your stay in White river, you’ll be able to see macadamia farms.
Limpopo is a land of beautiful and contrasting landscapes, which is typical of Africa. It is a region of infinite scenic beauty with a great diversity of both natural and man-made attractions; a rich cultural heritage and an abundance of wildlife. Within one of the best conserved wilderness areas, lies the opportunity for a life-changing experience in a safe and nurturing environment.
Timbavati is a renown private game reserve open to the famous Kruger national park. No fences separate Timbavati from the Kruger, so herds are free to track along the ancient paths they roamed for ages….
Covering 75.000 hectares of pristine bush, you will experience an intimate and personal affair with wildlife. Timbavati Game Reserve hosts the famous big 5 (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo). Safari vehicles are allowed to go off-road and get very close to wildlife.
Situated in White River, Mpumalanga, Ndhula tented camp is ideally located close to Blyde river canyon and about 45 minutes from Kruger National Park. It offers beautiful canvas tents set within tranquil wildlife estate that hosts giraffes, antelopes, wildebeests among other animals. You will enjoy the privacy of your of own tent for the first 5 days.
The property has been privatise for your retreat.
You will spend 5 days of total bliss at Motswari game lodge, that has been privatised for your retreat. Rooms are large and beautifully decorated. Beds are comfortable ¾ in size, while bathrooms are separated from the main bedroom.
Accommodations are on a sharing basis. For single occupancy, please contact us – an extra cost applies (only 4 rooms available on a single basis).
Safari activities on foot and in 4×4 vehicles have been weaved together with Arielle’s programme.
You’ll spend the day exploring the 3rd larger canyon in the world.
Blyde river canyon that extends for 50kms along the lip of the great African escarpment, and averages 750 m in depth, provides some of the most dramatic and overwhelming scenery in the country, with the Blyde river running through it.
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve is one of the few remaining areas of montane grasslands in Mpumalanga.
The river, forests, waterfalls and wetlands provide a perfect habitat for many species; the whole area is protected by a nature reserve.
You will visit the three rondavels, God’s window, Bourke’s luck potholes and some waterfalls among other sightings.
You will experience an afternoon safari in 4×4 in the famous Kruger national park, the oldest park in Africa.
The Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa, covering an area of just under 20.000 square kilometres (7.500 sq/miles). It is home to the Big 5 (lion, rhino, buffalo, elephant and leopard) and a bit more than 500 bird species !
The Park is wedged between the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in the north-eastern region of South Africa, with Mozambique on its eastern border and Zimbabwe on its northern border.
After your game drive, you’ll be invited to indulge with a lovely bush dinner under the stars in the park itself.
For 5 full days at Motswari lodge, you’ll experience incredible safaris and become a nature explorer, escorted by professional field guides:
– In open 4×4 vehicles – that will allow you very close encounters with wild animals. Who knows who you may bump into or cross the path of… A herd of elephants or zebras, a lazy male lion lying a few meters away, relaxing after a busy night defending his territory.
– On foot during life-changing silent bush walks, that will reconnect you with nature in a way that you have never experienced before… Your senses will be triggered as you will become alert to the slightest signs and sounds of the wilderness. You will get to track footprints, smaller animals, insects, birds and life beyond the big game. You will become humbled as you will find yourself being integrated back into the fabric of nature, taking your place among other species as your rank and status will re-calibrate.
Being far away from any city and light pollution will also allow you to admire the Milky Way and be awed by the millions of stars flickering above your head. The Southern Cross, the hunter, Venus and Jupiter. Big skies and big dreams.
By the time you will retire to your rondavel for the night, with the smell of dust and campfire on your clothes, you may hear an owl calling and the faint laugh of hyenas in the distance. Civilisation and technology totally forgotten….
Zingela also called The Centre for Women’s independence, launched in 2022, is a local NPO that focuses on the key elements necessary to support women’s independence (permaculture and regenerative agriculture, business through small enterprise development, and self-defense to respond and to prevent harassment and assault).
Woven through with stress reduction techniques, at the intersection of these three securities, independence is possible. The benefits of this program are extensive : improved nutritional diversity and health; an end to hunger; increased biodiversity, soil fertility and water retention; better communication and collaboration, and climate adaptation strategies are some of the outcomes of this much in-demand programme.
The guides leading the bush walks are highly qualified, have rifle handling and first aid certificates, and have logged hundreds of hours of walking in dangerous game areas. They will make sure that everyone feels relaxed, although being out of one’s comfort zone is part of the experience. A medical certificate is required for people aged 65 or more. This close-up contacts with wild nature will give you memories you’ll keep forever.
The fitness level required for the hike planned at Ndhula tented camp is average. The hike lasts 2-3 hours and the terrain goes mildly up and down.
No specific physical condition is required to attend the bush walks at Motswari lodge. The terrain is flat and easy. You’ll be walking 2-3 hours with your armed field guide. It is a leisure and relaxing walk. Walking in the African wilderness among wild animals is the most extraordinary experience.
Rate per person in USD – excluding flights:
Rates are subject to change without prior warning in case of any increases in third-party services, park or entrance gate fees, conservation and tourism levies, fuel, taxes, currency fluctuations beyond our control.
A très bientot !
