My First Wellness Retreat — More Than I Expected

Dannielle Do shares her journey through her very first wellness retreat, stepping beyond her comfort zone, immersing herself in nature’s embrace, and ultimately finding her way back to centre in the latest guest post from our series, Reflections from the River.

This spring, a tenure milestone at work earned me a six-week sabbatical and the rare chance to hit reset. 

Being a bit of a work horse (aka U.S. badge of honor), taking time off and unplugging can be an afterthought. I wanted to lean into the opportunity to travel, find calm, and slow down my daily mental treadmill, which is usually set on high. The answer: a wellness retreat—my first.

What did “wellness retreat” mean for me? I wasn’t quite sure. I only knew my interests wouldn’t fit a clear box, and everything “standard” fell flat.

Uninspired, I turned to AI. It asked me: “What kind of retreat are you imagining?”. Um, some of everything, please? 

When it suggested Sashwa, it was a welcome surprise. I wasn’t looking for a safari (it felt far-fetched), or yoga retreat (I hadn’t practiced in years), or plant-based dining (proud carnivore). And I assure you I didn’t seek out sunrise meditation. Yet, it was perfect. Sashwa’s focus on “nourishing the soul” through nature and easygoing immersive experiences instantly resonated with me. I loved that they took pride in highlighting their staff, and its location felt like the perfect sign: Olifants River, named after my favorite animal. I got “the feeling” and leaned in.

 

I booked the six-day solo retreat package, and appreciated the prearranged airport transfer, putting me at ease ahead of my 30+ hours of travel from Seattle to Hoedspruit. The trip was long but worth every minute (breaking it up with a stop in Cape Town helped too).

There were far more memorable experiences than I could do justice to here. Even the highlights feel like a devaluing of all the little moments. But still, I will try.

The drive to Sashwa was incredible in itself. I saw giraffes, impala, and elephants (my ultimate dream) before I even reached the reserve. The experience was surreal. Once I arrived, I was greeted with a hand washing ceremony before being shown to my beautiful room facing the river.

What struck me immediately was the need to be present. What do you see, hear, smell? Every morning and afternoon we ventured into the bush to appreciate all of its parts, from quartz-covered riverbeds to ancient trees. I started learning from our exceptional guide, Ian, before we even took our first game drive, when the nearby monkeys suddenly became frenetic and animated. Ian knew the signs: a lion was somewhere only they could see. This was the first of many reminders that there was so much to discover just by paying attention.

Every day Ian would park at a different viewpoint, unpack a cooler of homemade snacks, kombucha, beer, and wine as we watched the sunset. One evening, near a pond as light faded, we watched a charismatic hippo play in the water before spotting lions walking (very) nearby, paying us no mind. Another unreal memory in the bush.

And the elephants—oh, the elephants!

A full herd strolled by my patio, and we encountered many others on drives. I was utterly speechless when one came up close and paused to stare right at us.

Each meal felt like vegan opulence, thoughtfully plated like a gift, and so delicious I truly didn’t miss the animal products. Between meals, drives, and yoga, I’d spend quiet time on my patio reading, watercoloring, or just watching the monkeys and hippos nearby. The laundry service, indulgent massages, and my gorgeous freestanding bathtub (used every night, by the way) added just the right amount of luxe.

Quite unexpectedly, my favorite daily moment was the optional 5:45AM meditation by the river. Not being an early-riser or meditative person, it surprised me how deeply I loved those mornings. We’d begin when it was still dark, surrounded by pillows, blankets and candlelight, listening to the river, birds, hippos, and distant roaring lions. Then just as the sun came over the bank, Eurydice would calmly close us with: “Thank you for welcoming the day’s light together.” I got chills every time.

I’ve focused a lot on myself in this piece—after all, this is my story—but there is something much bigger at play at Sashwa. All profits fund Koru Camp, dedicated to uplifting local children and inspiring a new generation of conservationists. It’s an incredible feeling to support an enterprise with a real purpose. Knowing I helped make a small impact toward something that matters, wow, that’s a place with soul.

Leaving was harder than I expected.

What started as a search for a unique retreat became an adventure of learning, slowing down, and being in the moment in a way I hadn’t anticipated. I found connections with nature and my fellow travelers, and above all, the calm I was looking for. I’m still daydreaming about the early mornings on the riverbank, with the wildlife carrying on around us.

Thank you for an incredible experience Tiyani, Senzeni, Marion, Chef Agree, Permission, Ian, Eurydice and the rest of the Sashwa staff seen and unseen!

 

POSTSCRIPT:

Since returning home, I’ve found myself back on a yoga mat for the first time in years, with a renewed interest in breathwork. Thank you, Eury, for the gentle inspiration.

 

Words & Photos By Dannielle Do