One year of Sashwa – A letter from our founder

By Peter Eastwood

As the year draws to a close, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about how far this journey has taken us. And how it continues to unfold.

2025 was Sashwa’s first full year in operation. It has brought so many highlights. From successful retreats that are already planning to return to overwhelmed guests leaving us visibly changed by their time here. But, if there’s one thing I feel most proud of, it’s the people who now carry this place forward every day. Watching our team continue to grow in both skill and alignment, with a genuine sense of purpose, has been one of the most meaningful parts of this year.

Of course, there have been challenges too. Preparing the lodge for a wedding while keeping everything else running was a race against time. Life off-grid continues to test us – especially when it comes to power disruptions for both Sashwa and Koru. Thankfully, we now have a reliable back-up system in place! These things are part of choosing a different path, and I’ve learned to see them less as obstacles and more as reminders to stay adaptable and focused on our mission.

Through it all, there were two moments that will stay with me for a long time. One was the opening of Koru’s new camp – a dream that’s lived with me for more than a decade. To see it finally open, and to have my friend Kingsley Holgate do the honours with so many of the people who helped build it standing nearby, felt like something coming full circle. The other was far closer to home: hosting my son’s wedding at Sashwa. Working on projects so far from where you grew up can feel isolating at times. Sharing this place with family and friends – letting them experience what we’ve been building – was so rewarding.

Looking ahead to 2026, my hope is a simple one. That Sashwa can reach a place of financial balance, and in doing so, support more of Koru Camp’s vital work. After that, I want to reach our main goal within the next two years – where Sashwa is able to fund Koru’s operations entirely. This will enable it to impact many more underprivileged people and communities. On a personal level, I’m also looking forward to slowly stepping back from day-to-day lodge life. I’m ready to return to an old dream of travelling and fundraising through Africa in my overlander.

When I think about the future, I see Sashwa as a catalyst – an example of how travel can be done differently. What began as a way to sustain Koru Camp has grown into something richer than I ever expected. In a landscape that often follows familiar formulas, Sashwa has chosen to be completely different. From our delicious plant-based food, to our genuine African hospitality, I am so proud of what we are building here. I would love for it to inspire more social enterprise projects, and even expand to other parts of Africa. Being able to give more options to like-minded, conscious travellers would be incredible.

Finally, as the year comes to a close, I feel grateful. Grateful for the team, for the guests who choose to be part of this story, and for the opportunity to create real change. There is still so much work ahead, but I’m excited by all the possibilities that Sashwa and the future hold!

Thank you for being a part of our Sashwa journey,

Peter