Join award-winning Nairobi-based photographer Nichole Sobecki and journalist and yoga teacher Jill Filipovic for an extraordinary ten-day journey in magical Kenya.

We begin in Nairobi, Kenya’s humming capital, where we’ll practice with one of the city’s best yoga teachers, meet some baby elephants, and visit a giraffe sanctuary. Then we’ll be off to Ol Pejeta in Kenya’s Laikipia region for four days of safari, yoga, meditation, bush walks, sundowners, and more. Finally, we will head to Lamu on the Kenyan coast for a festival of unlimited yoga, where we’ll also enjoy fresh-caught seafood, evening dhow rides, long beach walks, and the ability to explore one of the most stunning and special places in the world.

Throughout the retreat, Nichole will lead photography workshops — not just how to take a great photo on safari, but how to use visual tools to tell a compelling story. Jill will lead accompanying writing workshops focused on effective storytelling and weaving words with images. This is not your typical drop-into-a-beautiful-place yoga retreat: Nichole has lived in Nairobi for a decade, and Jill spent several years there as well; we’ll be taking you to our very favorite places that may not be on the typical tourist agenda. And we’ll both work with you individually on your own story-telling project.

-Daily vinyasa flow yoga

-Options for intensive yoga workshops and/or restorative Yin

-Daily workshops in photography and writing

-Individual feedback and edits on writing and photo projects

-Shared accommodations in Nairobi, Ol Pejeta, and Lamu

-All transfers and flights within Kenya

-Three nights and four days of safari, inclusive of conservancy fees, meals and drinks

-Sunrise and sunset game drives, bush breakfasts, and sundowners (drinks on safari at sunset)

-Bush walks and conservation tours

-Visit to Sheldrick’s elephant orphanage

-Visit to the Nairobi Giraffe Centre

-Sunset dhow cruise

-Breakfasts and dinners in Lamu

-Additional opportunities available at an extra cost include horse riding with the world’s last Northern white rhinos, moonrise dhow cruises, in-house massages, and fishing expeditions.

-and much more!

Friday 17 March: Arrive in Nairobi, settle in

Saturday 18 March: Visit Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage and the Nairobi giraffe sanctuary + lunch + Storytelling workshop + Soft yoga + Dinner

Sunday 19 March: Arrive at Ol Pejeta Safari Cottages, lunch, storytelling workshop + Vinyasa flow yoga + Game drive and sundowners + Dinner and drinks around the fire

Monday 20 March: Game drive and Bush breakfast + Storytelling workshop + Vinyasa flow yoga + Game drive and sundowners + Dinner and drinks around the fire

Tuesday 21 March: Game drive and Bush breakfast + Storytelling workshop + Vinyasa flow yoga + Game drive and sundowners + Dinner and drinks around the fire

Wednesday 22 March: Game drive and Bush breakfast + Flight to Lamu + Storytelling workshop + Vinyasa flow yoga + Sundowners and dinner at the Majlis Hotel

Thursday 23 March: Breakfast + Vinyasa flow yoga + Storytelling workshop + Sundowners + Swahili seafood feast in the house

Friday 24 March: Breakfast + Vinyasa flow yoga + Storytelling workshop + Dhow cruise + Swahili seafood feast

Saturday 25 March: Breakfast + Vinyasa flow yoga + Sundowners and Storytelling showcase + Dinner at Peponi Hotel

Sunday 26 March: Breakfast + Departure

The Trademark Hotel in Nairobi is a unique and modern spot ideally located for easy access to all Nairobi has to offer.

The Safari Cottages in Laikipia’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy are eco-luxury cabins in the bush, each with their own view of the nearby river and the game it attracts. Each cottage sleeps two to four people with a large shared living room, fireplace, private en suite bathrooms, and expansive veranda. Enjoy all-natural bathing products, a fabulous chef, unlimited beer and wine, twice-daily game drives, a night drive to spot nocturnal animals, and breakfasts and sundowners out in the bush or on the savanna.

Shela is a small beachfront village in Lamu where we will stay in private Lamu-style houses with open windows and courtyards to enjoy the sea breeze. Enjoy Swahili food (some of the best in the world), including fresh fish, coconut curries, and of course a Dawa at happy hour.

Shared double accommodations: $6,250

Private single accommodations: $9,500

Reach out for info on resident rates.

We are limiting this retreat to 12 participants.

Included in the cost: Accommodation for nine nights, all flights and transfers within Kenya, most meals, drinks including beer and wine, daily yoga, daily storytelling workshops, morning and evening game drives, targeted yoga workshops, and private editing sessions with Jill and / or Nichole.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot.

Full payment is due no later than November 1, 2022.

Monthly payment plans are available.

What’s not included: Roundtrip airfare to NBO; a tourist visa; travel insurance (highly recommended); staff tips; premium spirits, cocktails and wines; lunches in Lamu (so you can eat at your convenience); souvenirs, laundry, and other personal expenses; spa services and massage.