Our retreat begins and ends near Windhoek, Namibia, with arrival through Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH).

Airport transfers are included on the official retreat arrival and departure days.

Because this is a multi-stop journey through Namibia, I strongly recommend arriving on the scheduled arrival day and avoiding tight international connections. Detailed flight guidance, arrival timing, and transfer information will be shared with confirmed guests before travel.

International airfare is not included in the retreat price.

If you plan to arrive early or extend your travels in southern Africa, you’re absolutely welcome to do so. Just note that any additional accommodations, transfers, or travel outside the official retreat dates are your responsibility.

For the return journey, guests participating in the N/a’an ku sê cheetah experience on the final morning should plan for a midday or later departure flight, since the experience takes place in the morning.

Namibia is an incredible adventure destination, but international travel does require thoughtful health preparation.

I recommend that every guest schedule an appointment with their doctor or a travel-health clinic at least one month before departure to review personal health history, current medications, vaccines, and malaria prevention options.

According to the CDC, travelers to Namibia should be up to date on routine vaccines, including MMR, tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis, polio, influenza, and other standard vaccinations. The CDC also currently recommends Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and typhoid for many or most travelers to Namibia. A single lifetime polio booster may be recommended for some adults who completed their childhood series.

Malaria

Our itinerary includes Etosha / the Kunene region, which is one of the areas where the CDC currently recommends travelers speak with a medical provider about prescription malaria prevention. Windhoek itself is not considered a malaria-transmission area, and risk is lower or rare in other parts of our route.

Your doctor or travel-health provider can help determine whether medication such as atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, or another option is appropriate for you.

Regardless of whether you take malaria medication, mosquito and tick protection is important throughout the trip.

Other diseases and health considerations

The CDC also lists several other travel-health considerations for Namibia, including:

• Cholera: localized active transmission has been reported in parts of Namibia, including Kunene. Cholera is rare in travelers, but food and water hygiene is important, and vaccination may be considered for some travelers.

• Rabies: rabies occurs in dogs and some wildlife. There is also a current CDC warning regarding rabies in Cape fur seals in Namibia. Guests should never approach or touch wild animals, even if they appear calm.

• African tick-bite fever, dengue, leishmaniasis, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever: these are primarily spread by mosquitoes, ticks, or sand flies, so insect precautions matter.

• Schistosomiasis and leptospirosis: these can be associated with contaminated freshwater. Avoid swimming or wading in untreated freshwater such as rivers, ponds, or lakes.

• Rift Valley fever, hantavirus, and tuberculosis: these are also listed by the CDC for Namibia but are generally tied to specific types of animal, environmental, or prolonged exposure.

Yellow fever

The CDC does not currently recommend yellow-fever vaccination for Namibia itself, and it is not required when traveling directly from the United States.

However, proof of yellow-fever vaccination may be required if you arrive from, or have a long transit through, a country where yellow fever is a risk. Flight routing matters, so guests should verify requirements once flights are booked.

What I recommend packing

I strongly suggest bringing:

• DEET or picaridin insect repellent

• lightweight long sleeves and pants

• sunscreen

• a basic personal first-aid kit

• any prescription medications you need

• copies of relevant prescriptions

• travel insurance that includes medical care and emergency evacuation

Travel-health recommendations can change before departure, so guests are responsible for reviewing current CDC and medical guidance and making decisions with their healthcare provider.

Can I come alone?
Absolutely, many retreat guests join solo. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be welcomed into a supportive and inclusive community. You’ll never feel “on your own” unless you want that space for yourself.

What if I’m nervous about doing this alone?
Totally normal, and also a sign you’re doing something brave. You’ll be supported every step of the way, from pre-trip travel coordination to on-the-ground connection once you arrive. We also create intentional moments for group bonding, without forcing anything.

Will I actually connect with people if I come alone?
Yes, and in a way that feels natural, not forced. The retreat environment creates opportunities for meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and quiet moments of togetherness.

Who typically comes solo?
People at all stages of life and travel. Some are new to retreats, some are experienced solo travelers, and many are simply honoring their own journey. You’ll be in good company.

Can I come with my partner or a friend?
Of course! This retreat is a beautiful experience to share with someone you care about, whether that’s a romantic partner, close friend, sibling, or travel buddy.

Will we be able to stay together?
Yes. Partners and friends booking together will have their own bed.

What if one of us does yoga and the other doesn’t?
That’s totally welcome here. All yoga sessions are accessible and adaptable, whether you’re experienced or brand new. Participation is always optional.

Will we be together the whole time or is there space for independence?
Both. You’ll enjoy shared meals, group activities, and meaningful experiences together, while still having free time to explore separately, rest, or follow your own rhythms.

Is this a good retreat for couples looking to reconnect?
Yes. Many partners join to step away from daily life and reconnect in a new environment. The blend of nature, movement, and mindful space makes it both grounding and deeply connecting.

Will we connect with other retreat guests too?
Absolutely. You’ll be part of the larger retreat community, sharing meals, stories, and experiences with other guests throughout the week.

Is this a good experience even if we travel differently?
Yes. Whether one of you loves adventure and the other prefers relaxation, this retreat supports both styles with optional outings and built-in flexibility.

If you’re traveling all the way to southern Africa, Victoria Falls can be an incredible add-on before Namibia.

Victoria Falls sits on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia and is one of the world’s most iconic waterfalls. It can be a beautiful way to add another major bucket-list experience before joining the retreat.

There are currently nonstop flights between Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) and Windhoek (WDH), with a flight time of approximately 1 hour 25 minutes. Schedules vary by date, so I recommend checking your exact travel dates before booking.

If you choose to add Victoria Falls, I recommend building in at least 2–3 nights so you have time to explore without rushing into the retreat.

Possible experiences include:

• Viewing Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe or Zambia side

• Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

• Helicopter flight over the falls

• Wildlife or game-viewing experiences

• Local markets and cultural experiences

Any Victoria Falls travel would be arranged independently and is not included in the Mind Travel Yoga retreat package.

If several guests decide to add Victoria Falls beforehand, I’m happy to help connect everyone so people can coordinate travel plans together.

One of the things I love most about this retreat is that there’s room to make the experience your own.

In addition to the included adventures throughout the itinerary, there will be opportunities to add optional experiences at your own expense, especially during our time in Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay.

Optional adventures may include:

• Hot air ballooning over the Namib Desert at sunrise

• Horseback riding in the desert

• Sandwich Harbour 4x4 excursion

• Quad biking through the Namib dunes

• Sandboarding

• Fat biking in the desert

• Camel riding

• Kayaking or boat excursions with seals and marine wildlife

• Scenic flights over the Namib Desert and Atlantic coastline

• Additional local experiences available at the time of travel

Hot Air Ballooning over Sossusvlei

For those looking for an unforgettable add-on, there may be an opportunity to experience sunrise hot air ballooning over the Namib Desert.

Floating above the dunes as the morning light moves across the desert is one of the most iconic ways to experience this landscape. The flight offers expansive views, incredible photography opportunities, and a completely different perspective on the scale and stillness of the Namib.

This experience would take place in the early morning and is optional and not included in the retreat price.

You are never required to add an excursion. If your ideal day is resting by the pool, exploring town, journaling, enjoying a café, or simply slowing down, that is completely welcome too.

Optional activities may have separate booking requirements, minimum group sizes, age or health restrictions, and may be weather-dependent.

I’ll share recommended options, estimated pricing, and booking guidance with the group before the retreat so you can decide which experiences feel right for you.

The guided N/a’an ku sê cheetah conservation experience is included in the retreat and is not considered an optional add-on.