Art & Yoga Retreat
Unleash curiosity

Art & Yoga Retreat
Unleash curiosity

Tanzania Southern Highlands
23-29 November 2026

Welcome to our Art & Yoga Retreat. An immersive escape where creativity, movement, and nature meet. Set within our own secluded venue, this retreat invites you to slow down, reconnect, and be inspired by the wild beauty of Tanzania.

Our home for the week is a haven in the hills: 10,000 square meters of protected woodland, tree gardens, winding paths, wood-fired sauna and quiet corners overlooking the Great Ruaha Valley.

Every corner of this place reflects the care that went into creating it—hand-crafted furniture made from locally sourced, sustainable materials by local craftsmen.

The people who look after you are part of the community: skilled, warm, fluent in English, and genuinely happy to help. They feel less like staff and more like a chalet host you naturally get to know, someone who makes the lodge feel like home as you explore the surroundings.

Iringa itself is a treasure. A real, welcoming Tanzanian town, far from the over crowded tourist track, where visitors are met with surprise and delight.

Here, creativity thrives. Local artists (painters, weavers, sculptors and innovators) carry generations of tradition alongside fresh new expressions. During your stay, you’ll meet them, learn from them, create beside them, and share stories that weave cultures together.

Think vibrant kitenge prints, bold colours, beads and carvings — the essence of East African creativity.

Slow mornings of yoga, afternoons of crafting, and evenings of local tales like Gangilonga Rock. On the open-air deck with 360-degree mountain views, the first sunlight warms your skin as each mindful movement strengthens your body, supports balance, and brings deep calm.

Amy McDonald

Retreat Leader

Amy joined Origins at the end of 2024. If you follow our socials, you may have seen her documenting the Origins journey.

Having spent a lot of time living and working in Iringa, Amy knows the town, the people, and every magical experience we offer inside out – she can’t wait to share it with you.

More about Amy…

Natalie

Yoga Instructor

Natalie, based in the beautiful town of Iringa, has completed over 600 hours of Yoga Alliance-approved teacher training. She began practicing yoga in 2016, initially drawn to acrobatic postures, but her focus deepened as she traveled and explored yoga from different perspectives.Since then, she has taught classes and hosted retreats across East Africa and Europe.

More about Natalie…

Meet Your Hosts

Amy McDonald
Retreat Leader

Natalie
Yoga Instructor

View all photos

What's Included?

Everything in the following list is included in the retreat price.

Please note it does not include your flights, personal travel insurance, Tanzania visa or drinks from the bar.

Your own private hilltop

Our walled grounds cover more than 10,000 square metres of stunning native bushland high above the town and nature reserve for your group to enjoy in total privacy.

Premium accommodation

Our spacious rooms are all beautifully furnished by local craftsmen and the stylish ensuite bathrooms use state-of-the-art off-grid solar power to ensure you always get that piping hot shower and dependable power for all your creature comforts.

All your meals, snacks & water

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared by our private chef using fresh, seasonal ingredients. We also include lots of tasty snacks and freshly made fruit juices.

Stay hydrated thanks to our on-site purification system providing unlimited safe drinking water without the throw-away plastic bottles.

Chalet host service

Our friendly local chalet hosts take care of all your needs throughout your stay, from making up your room to guiding and translating if you want to explore the town. They’ll even be at the airport to greet you on arrival.

Art activities

Three main art sessions, led by local Tanzanian artists.

Maasai mug painting class.

African jewelry making class.

Paint and sip session with complimentary sparkling wine.

Basket weaving workshop.

Yoga activities

Four yoga sessions with Natalie, our 600hr+ qualified yoga instructor.

You’re also welcome to use our spectacular panoramic yoga deck by yourself during any of the down-time during your stay.

Community project

Group activity such as mural-painting at local school or hospital (the specific activity will be decided nearer the time, as we respond to genuine needs in the community).

Guided local walks/hikes

Two hikes through the stunning native bushland that surrounds the retreat, led by our wonderful Maasai guides.

The level of strenuousness can be varied, including splitting the group, to suit people’s fitness and preferences.

Farewell ceremony

We’ll send you off in style with traditional African drumming and dancing, along with a grand barbecue feast!

Wood-fired sauna

Enjoy unlimited use of our beautiful teak sauna with its handmade woodburning stove, cold plunge pool and balcony.

24/7 security

For your total peace of mind, the retreat is enclosed by a natural stone wall and security fence, protected 24 hours a day by our team of professional security guards.

Private airport transfers

Members of our own team will be at Iringa Airport to meet you on arrival, and drop you off when you depart.

Retreat accommodation bedroom

Room Types

This retreat is great for solo travellers, friends or couples.

All rooms are spacious twins, each with two large single beds (or a super-kingsize double on request) and private ensuite shower rooms.

We’ll discuss your interests and preferences during your welcome phone call and match you with a suitable roommate of the same gender.

If you’re joining us with a friend or partner, just let us know and we’ll make sure you’re sharing a room.

Read more about The Lodge

Optional Safari

Upgrade for the ultimate bucket-list experience!

With the safari bolt-on, after leaving the retreat lodge you’ll drive out to Ruaha National Park – one of East Africa’s most spectacular safari destinations. Spend the day spotting elephants, lions, giraffes, buffalo and even leopards in their unspoilt natural habitat.

You’ll finish the day at our beautiful bush camp, enjoying dinner with the sounds of the wild and a good chance of seeing wild elephants coming to drink from the pool – then hearing lions roaring in the distance as you drift off to sleep.

The final day starts with a leisurely breakfast feast overlooking the park, and the chance to do a walking safari before setting off for your journey home.

Read more about The Safari

Downloads

Itinerary (Retreat Only)

pdf - 7 MB

Itinerary (Retreat + Safari)

pdf - 7 MB

Prices

Select room type to see prices.

Art & Yoga Retreat
(6 nights)
£1,750

Art & Yoga Retreat + Safari
(7 nights)
£2,250

Deposit
This will be deducted from the total above
£275

Join Waitlist

Places on this retreat are strictly limited. Joining this waitlist means you will be notified as soon as bookings open and given priority to submit your deposit.

How can we help?

Whether you’re an experienced retreat leader, thinking of planning your first one, or simply interested in visiting Origins Africa, we can help you plan your retreat.

Speak to us