Lioness at Sunset.jpg

A Safari Like No Other

Good for the animals. Good for the heart.

September 16th - 25th, 2025

Clear your head. Connect your heart. And commune with nature in one of the richest ecosystems on the planet.

Map showing travel route from major airports to the nature reserve.

10 Days & 9 Nights of Safari and Wellness

At Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa

  • See the “Big 5” (lion, elephant, rhino, leopard, and African buffalo) within the 66,000-acre protected Phinda Reserve, also home to more than 436 bird species.

  • Stay in luxury at two Phinda resorts within the Reserve.

  • Save a rhino in a special hands-on conservation experience.

  • Experience guided wellness and mindfulness practices including yoga, meditation, breath work, nature-bathing walks, and the study of key yoga philosophies.

A one-of-a-kind experience that will leave you feeling uncommonly connected to the planet, the animals, and your inner spirit.

Photos courtesy of Carrie Asby and (c) andBeyond.com. Used by permission.

Highlights

  • Lodge icon

    Luxury Lodges

    Stay in two world-class private lodges within the Phinda Reserve: Rock Lodge and Vlei.

  • safari jeep

    Safari Wildlife Drives

    Experience 12 guided safari drives at times when animals are most active.

  • African tree

    Bush Walking Adventures

    Guided forest and grassland walks let you connect to nature and your spirit.

  • White Rhino

    Hands-On Conservation

    Work with rangers in a rhino de-horning, and protect an animal from poachers.

  • Person practicing yoga in lotus position

    Guided Yoga Experiences

    Guided yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices will be woven into every day.

  • Group of three village houses

    Community Visits

    Visit with local artisans, shop, and learn about the indigenous culture.

Itinerary

World-Class Accommodations

Save a rhino:
A hands-on experience

Carrie Asby leans over an anesthetized African white rhino, resting her hands on the sleeping juvenile rhino to provide comfort during a de-horning. There's a safari jeep in the background.

Photo Carrie Asby

And on your Nature Heart Safari, you will help make a difference. Our trip will culminate in assisting Phinda’s conservation team with a rhino de-horning. It is an incomparable experience to directly impact the well-being of another species on our planet. Your heart and soul will never be the same.

The African White Rhino has been driven to near extinction by poachers who hunt them for their horns. Phinda Private Game Reserve works to ensure a core population of rhinos thrive in South Africa.

To protect the rhinos, Phinda has introduced a de-horning program. Causing no harm or discomfort, dehorning takes away the poacher’s motivation to kill or injure these magnificent creatures.

About Carrie Asby, Your Guide

Carrie Asby

I’m a wellness and yoga coach who is passionate about wildlife conservation and supporting individuals to build better relationships with themselves. When we apply gentle love and mindful care to our world, we acknowledge the value of its gifts. This sense of loving consciousness is the foundation of everything I practice within my life and work - and what I’m here to teach you.

As a Phinda volunteer, I’ve helped release cheetahs and pangolins back into the wild. I’ve removed a tracking collar from an elephant. I’ve helped remove a rhino’s horn. I have bush knowledge and relationships with Phinda that help give me insider insights... and I can’t wait to share all of it with you.

Photo by Laura Sonnenberg

What Students Say

  • Carrie is incredibly in tune both spiritually and physically. She's the best yoga instructor I've ever had. She pushes you to do and be more and is the genuine real-deal.

    Erika K.

  • Carrie is the rare combination of a true professional with the soul of a yogi. She's a fantastic yoga teacher and a creative, intuitive person who understands her students' needs.

    Stacy T.

  • Carrie is an amazing teacher, and her classes are a great balance of knowledge and insight into the yoga tradition and flow.

    Cindy C.

Pricing

10 days + 9 nights

We'll discuss the total price in person because of the ever-changing exchange rates between the South African Rand and the United States Dollar.

 You can choose to pay in 3 simple installments, making it easier for you to manage.
Looking forward to discussing this further with you.


What’s Included

  • A representative to assist you through customs and immigration upon arriving in Johannesburg

  • Transportation to the Residence Hotel in Johannesburg

  • Accommodation: Residence Hotel in Johannesburg (1 night), Phinda Rock Lodge (4 nights), Phinda Vlei (4 nights)

  • Meals and beverages (including alcohol): Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily

  • Transportation to O.R Tambo Airport for flight(s) to Phinda Game Reserve Rock Lodge

  • Transport to and from all Natural Heart Safari activities (as outlined in Itinerary)

  • Transport from Phinda Game Reserve back to Johannesburg

  • Emergency Evacuation Insurance

  • Gratuities

What’s Not Included

  • Airfare to and from Johannesburg from your home location

  • Trip cancellation or any other travel insurance

  • Travel visas

  • Meals on your own

  • Premier liquors

  • Any activity not described in the Itinerary

Travel Insurance is Required

Details are outlined in our Retreat Agreement and Waiver. You will not be permitted to join the group until you have provided evidence of adequate travel insurance.


Reserve Your Spot

As a result of the small number we can accommodate for this retreat, there is an application process to maintain the integrity and intimacy of the experience.

To start the process, fill out the form below.