Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat — Hotel in Overstrand Local Municipality

It is hard to articulate the beautiful experiences I had at Bodhi Khaya over the past five days, but I will certainly try. I attended a five day festive rest retreat that was largely unstructured aside from the core offerings of yoga and meditation. Belinda assisted with booking and was so patient as I experienced issues with international payment. She made the registration process stress-free and carried that energy into how she welcomed me to the property and showed me the facilities (including the tub, which I relaxed in daily). The meditation teacher, Emmanuel, offered simple and accessible meditations for people of all experience levels, and made sure to incorporate the beautiful surroundings into the mediations. There was a guided hike, but I appreciated the feeling of safety knowing I could go out and explore the abundance of trails on my own. Water, wildflowers, fynbos aroma, and more greeted me on every walk, and there were ample seating areas on the trails for a reflective pause or journaling.

Olivia, who instructed some of the yoga sessions, was quite possibly an angel. I booked both a coaching session an private yoga session with her, hoping for the best. The space she created to compassionately listen to my needs/desires allowed me to fully relax and feel trusting of the offerings. With context of what I was working on, she advised a conscious connection breath session in lieu of our private yoga, and this was 100% the right decision. The amount of insight gleaned in our hour long breath session was more valuable than many hours of therapy and other yoga classes combined. I’ve done transformational breathing and other types of intentional pranayama in the past, but Olivia’s capacity to create a safe and comfortable environment allowed me to go deeper during this journey and make some very powerful connections. This day will forever be a major moment in my journey, and I am so grateful to have the breath work experience in the midst of all the other beautiful moments at Bodhi Khaya.

The other attendees were intelligent, beautiful souls, and I feel so fortunate to have participated in this week of rest alongside of them. I know my path will cross with some of them again.

I strongly encourage booking a massage; my therapist Beatrice intuitively moved to the spots that needed extra attention, and her entire essence radiated a healing energy that was felt beyond the obviously physical touch. This was the perfect start to my five days on the property.

Lastly, the food. You can tell each dish is infused with love and intention. Vegan and vegetarian options (and gluten free) left everyone feeling so nourished and content, even non-vegans did not miss the meat. The meals are prepared with food from the property, and a heavenly dessert accompanied every dinner. Each dish was almost too beautiful to eat. From the kitchen staff to the cleaning people, every member of the team had a beautiful energy about them. I asepecialy appreciated Roxanne’s warm energy, and knowing that she was one of the people behind the edible work’s of art coming out of the kitchen. The entire place hummed in harmony to create the most magical experience. I’ve been to other retreat centers- Bodhi Khaya is truly special. Thank you so much to everyone who made my stay so very special, I...

Rose cottage was cold and uninviting (one small electric heater), no place for hanging clothes, no drawers for clothes and I was on a 7 day reset retreat! After asking, I eventually got a chest of drawers, otherwise it was living out of a suitcase. DINNER night 1 - pea soup, lavosh, bread and BUTTER, a dish of mashed pumpkin/butternut with fresh coriander garnished with radishes and cucumber (2 small bowls) and a chocolate something (did not bother). The only refreshments served was water, tea and coffee with MILK, no soft drinks or fruit juice to purchase. BREAKFAST day 2 - lovely fresh fruit salad served with YOGHURT, hard boiled EGGS, some grey porridge stuff, bread and BUTTER, tea and coffee with MILK. LUNCH day 2 - falafel, nori crisps with coleslaw type topping, salad, bread and BUTTER and some other tasty bits. Also a jug of water kefir DINNER day 2 - lentil curry (not very tasty) with poppadums and sambals and a delicious chocolate brownie with strawberries, tea and coffee with MILK. BREAKFAST day 3 - gave it a miss as I had some bad news, a family emergency, so decided to leave after lunch. LUNCH day 3 - again quite delicious, but was packed and ready to go so didn't take too much notice. PLEASE NOTE: there were vegan options for butter, milk, yoghurt, but I was very disappointed with the "delicious vegan food" that was advertised and I do not think of EGGS as being vegan as they are animal-derived. The dining room could do with a re-vamp, it was like a school dormitory, eating hours are for 1 hour only (you need to get in early!), some rooms a bit old and in need of some care, and the people who run the place could be a bit friendlier. Admittedly the weather was atrocious, so there was not much opportunity for walks, sitting in the sun reading or other activities beside meditation or yoga. All other activities had to be booked at a fee of R850 a session. I don't think I will be returning there, but good luck and...

Review of the SiouxZ Kleintjes Retreat at Bhodi Khaya (For Moms Experiencing Child Loss) The Sioux Kleintjies retreat held at Bhodi Khaya was more than just a getaway; it was a deeply healing and transformative experience for mothers navigating the unimaginable pain of child loss. It provided a much-needed sanctuary to grieve, connect, and begin to process our journeys. The location itself is utterly serene, situated beautifully on the whale coast. This peaceful environment provided the perfect backdrop for introspection and healing. Adding to the overall nurturing experience was the excellent vegetarian food provided throughout the retreat—it was delicious, nourishing, and clearly prepared with love and care. The group dynamic was truly special. Despite all coming from vastly different walks of life, we quickly formed a warm, supportive, and understanding community. It was a powerful reminder that while our circumstances of loss were unique, the depth of our pain and our need for connection were shared. I am profoundly grateful for the lifelong bonds that were forged during our time together. Furthermore, the programme was perfect. Every element—from the schedule to the activities and the overall structure—was thoughtfully designed with sensitivity and care for our unique emotional needs. The retreat struck a beautiful balance, offering space for reflection and solace while also facilitating meaningful group interactions. I highly recommend this retreat to any mother who needs a supportive, safe, and nurturing environment to honor her child and connect with others who truly understand. It was an invaluable experience that offered both...