Spirit of the Serengeti: A Yoga Safari Retreat

This journey leans toward an adventurous and culturally immersive safari experience, balanced with daily opportunities to ground through yoga and reflection. Each day invites you to connect deeply—with yourself, your fellow travelers, and the wild beauty of Tanzania.

We’ll begin on the forested slopes below Mount Meru, easing into the gentle rhythm of village life before journeying into the heart of East Africa’s most iconic wilderness. From Tarangire to the Ngorongoro Crater and across the sweeping plains of the Serengeti, you’ll witness elephants, lions, and countless other species in their natural habitat while learning about the land, culture, and conservation efforts from renowned naturalist Simon Mtuy and his expert team.

Daily yoga—typically once per day, with occasional sunrise or sunset sessions—will support the pace of adventure, helping you root into presence, soften into stillness, and absorb the profound magic of this land where nature leads and the horizon feels limitless.

This retreat takes place during Tanzania’s long dry season, when days are generally warm, sunny, and comfortable, with temperatures often ranging from the mid-70s to low 80s °F (24–28 °C). Mornings and evenings—especially around the Ngorongoro Conservation Area—can feel quite cool, so layers are essential. While May is typically dry, weather can vary by region, and safari vehicles can still get warm in the midday sun, so we recommend packing light, breathable clothing for daytime game drives along with a few warmer layers for early starts and evenings.

You will be accompanied by a trained wildlife guide and expert in Tanzania ecology, who will be with you throughout the safari portion of your trip. All of our guides are fluent in English, have many years experience on safari, have taken several wildlife courses, and are superior drivers. You will discuss  and be briefed on each day's plans by your guide. 

You will want to fly into and out of Kilimanjaro International Airport (airport code: JRO).

Yes, private airport transfers are included in the price of your trip whenever you arrive, day or night. Note if you arrive early and decide to stay at an alternate location other than our group hotel, you will be responsible for coordinating and paying for your own transportation directly with the hotel where you will be staying.

Entry into Tanzania requires a valid passport, and many travelers will also need a visa. Passport validity must extend at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Tanzania. Visa requirements and fees vary by nationality, and some travelers may be eligible to obtain a visa on arrival, while others are required to apply in advance. We strongly recommend checking the requirements for your specific passport nationality through the official Tanzania Immigration website well before travel.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect both you and your investment. Unexpected events—such as personal emergencies, health issues, political or environmental factors, or weather disruptions—can arise and affect travel plans. 

For the maximum coverage, be sure to purchase your policy within 7–10 days of your initial deposit. Please note that, as we must adhere to our cancellation policy, you will be responsible for any costs if you choose not to have coverage. While we do not advise on specific policies, we recommend exploring options through the reputable travel insurance aggregator, InsureMyTrip. They can help you select a travel insurance provider and policy that best suits your needs.

No, gratuities are not included in the total trip price. In Tanzania, tipping is customary and considered an important way to show appreciation for good service. It’s expected after safaris, guided activities, climbs, and at tourist accommodations. While locals may sometimes request tips directly, the amount and timing are always at your discretion—so only tip when it feels appropriate. As a general guideline, we recommend budgeting $15–$20 USD per person per day to be shared among your guides, drivers, housekeeping, and restaurant staff, including your principal guide who will accompany you throughout the trip.

No immunizations are required to enter Tanzania, except proof of yellow fever vaccination for those travelers entering Tanzania from a country that is yellow fever endemic. We advise you to consult with your primary care physician or a travel health specialist about recommended immunizations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control website includes Tanzania-specific information. 

Malaria is endemic to Tanzania at elevations below 5,500ft (1700m). Mbahe Village and all of Kilimanjaro National Park are above this elevation. No malaria immunization currently exists. Consult your physician or a travel health specialist to learn about malaria prophylaxes options. Insect repellant and long sleeves and trousers in the evening (when mosquitoes are most active) provide additional protection. All tourist accommodations within malarial zones will either have bed nets or be impenetrable tents.

We get hundreds of travelers each year who go on retreat alone. If you are traveling without a friend or partner, but prefer to share your room, we will do our best to match you with another traveler of the same gender. If for some reason, we are not able to match you with a roommate 50% of the supplement will be applied to your final invoice.

If you prefer to have your own private room (note: these are extremely limited), a single supplement will apply.

The official currency of Tanzania is the Tanzanian Shilling (TZS). The exchange rate fluctuates but is currently around US $1 = 2,670 TZS.

Recent regulations require that all local transactions be conducted in Tanzanian shillings, so smaller shops, restaurants, and taxis will not accept foreign currency. However, many lodges, safari operators, and hotels in the tourism sector still quote and accept payment in U.S. dollars for convenience.

ATMs are widely available in larger towns and typically offer the best exchange rate when withdrawing Tanzanian shillings directly from your home account. You can also exchange cash at international airports, banks, major hotels, and licensed bureaux de change.

Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at some hotels and tourist establishments but often incur a 3–5 % surcharge. Connectivity in rural areas can be unreliable, so it’s wise to carry enough cash in shillings for daily purchases.

Many of our guests travel on retreat solo, and each year we successfully match hundreds of travelers with compatible roommates. If you're traveling on your own but would like to book a shared room, we'll do our very best to pair you with another guest of the same gender. While this is usually possible, we cannot guarantee a roommate.

In the rare event that we are unable to match you with another traveler, you will be assigned a private room and a single supplement will apply. For this retreat, the single supplement is $1,700. However, if you become a "forced single" because we were unable to find you a roommate, we will split the cost with you, reducing your additional payment to $850.

If this situation arises, we will notify you by email and send an updated invoice approximately two months prior to departure.

Tanzania has an extensive cellular phone network, but coverage is unavailable on parts of Kilimanjaro and large swaths of the safari parks. You will need international roaming or an unlocked phone with a Tanzania SIM card.

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and lodges and some permanent tented camps. It is also available at SENE’s Mbahe Village cottages – in the central dining area only and dependent on connectivity through the local power grid.

A $2000 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot on the trip. The final balance payment is due by November 20, 2026. If you cancel before the final balance deadline, we will refund any payments you have made, minus the non-refundable deposit. If you do not complete the payment by that date, the card on file will be automatically charged your remaining balance. If you register for the trip after November 20, 2026, the full amount is due at sign-up.  All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable after November 20, 2026. International Yoga must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred before the commencement of the retreat. Click here to view the Terms and Conditions to which you agree upon registration. 

If you wish to cancel your participation in this program, you must advise International Yoga in writing to: [email protected].