Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat’s owners, Georgina Hamilton and Glenn Leisching, have carefully created a sanctuary for those wishing to explore the thoroughfares of the heart and mind.
As one of South Africa’s original retreats, Bodhi Khaya encapsulates the very essence of a holistic experience combined with authentic hospitality and has evolved to become one of the foremost natural healing spiritual havens for those on their journey to enlightenment.
Explore beautiful fynbos and forest trails, walk the labyrinth and swim in pure fresh mountain ponds at Bodhi Khaya. Join morning meditation or simply unwind and listen to the sounds of nature as you reconnect with yourself.
There are five catered accommodation areas within the main retreat:
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat has elevated the retreat experience to encapsulate health, wellness, ecology together with an unforgettable holiday experience.
In the modern age, humans have evolved and separated from nature and in doing so have lost touch with their natural state. Bodhi Khaya taps into the self’s ancient, primal instincts and brings balance back into the being by connecting you to Mother Nature. Each experience at the retreat is a private journey that directly benefits your overall being and positively affects every facet of your life and state of being.
Whether you arrange a day visit for a taste of bliss or elect to participate in a retreat or workshop, Bodhi Khaya has something that will interest your soul.
Daily Meditation
Facilitated meditation sessions are held daily for those just starting out and for those who have been meditating for a long time. Trained by meditation masters, the retreats resident teachers have decades of meditation experience to guide you. The beautiful Meditation Hall has been a temple for many teachers and traditions, and It is the perfect space to practice and heal.
Packages:
For more information about scheduled retreats, topics and packages contact Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat directly.
When: Thursday to Sunday
Time: Minimum stay of two days
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat offers personal retreats that are custom-created to suit your unique needs. The personal retreats run simultaneously with facilitated retreats as they are held in different locations. Personal Retreats are unstructured and you can build a retreat with your choice of activities.
You are welcomed into serenity with delicious meals prepared by chef Nicola, optional daily meditations and yoga, gentle walks and talks, plenty of unstructured time to explore the stunning surroundings and unlimited amounts of clean air and mountain spring water.
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreats provide the perfect setting for:
Welcome to Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat:
Rates:
The Cloisters consists of 14 monastery-style single rooms.
There is a communal area with a kitchenette, dining room table, lounge and library area.
Each room contains a bed, a side table and a small cupboard space for clothing. These rooms lead into an open plan living space that looks out across the gardens and labyrinth.
Inner Cloisters Rooms
Room Numbers 1 to 6 share two communal bathrooms each with a shower and basin. There are two separate toilets with basins.
Outer Cloisters (Courtyard in the back)
Rooms 7 - 14 have a basin and mirror and share a large communal bathroom with two private showers, two communal basins and three private toilets.
Rates:
The five Courtyard rooms are conveniently situated close to the meditation hall and main dining room. They are named after flowers (Morning Glory, Olive, Fern, Poppy and Orchid).
Rates:
This beautifully restored building used to be the old dairy and has high ceilings with rustic wooden rafters and a working fireplace. The four Deluxe Courtyard Rooms each has a personality of its own.
One of them, the Garden Room, has a King-size bed, and a Victorian bath in the open-plan bathroom.
Rates:
The six-bedroom Farmhouse has three lovely common areas that include a kitchenette, a cosy lounge with a fireplace and a tranquil library with comfortable seating.
Bedrooms:
Restio, Disa and Daisy share two communal bathrooms with two showers, two basins and two toilets.
Aloe has a separate entrance and there are four single beds in the room. There is an ensuite bathroom with a shower, a basin and a toilet.
Pincushion has two single beds that can be joined to form a King-size bed. The ensuite bathroom has a shower, basin and toilet
Kitchenette
Lounge
Daisy Room
Pincushion Room
Rates - R600 per person per night
Bring your camping gear and set yourself up under the mountains at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat. Being on earth and under the stars at a location you have connected with is an experience like no other.
Amenities:
(sleeps six guests - additional accommodation can be arranged at the main retreat)
Rates: R2,800 per night for the villa
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat presents Wild Pod Eco Villa, an idyllic self-catering break away into nature with breathtaking views of the Walker Bay Nature Conservancy. Wild Pod is fully equipped and perfect for intimate events, family getaways and honeymoons. Set high up, amongst the trees on Bodhi Khaya’s land, enjoy the privacy of your own space, with the option to take part in daily yoga and meditation sessions offered at the retreat.
Wild Pod has an open-plan living area with a modern fully-equipped kitchen, dining area and lounge.
The master bedroom has a King-size bed with an ensuite bathroom that has a bath, shower, basin and toilet.
An open-plan room has two single beds while an outdoor caravan suite has a double bed.
The open-plan room and caravan suite share a bathroom that has a shower, basin and toilet.
Satisfy your body, mind and soul at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat. A selection of activities allows you to:
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat welcomes day visitors with prior arrangements.
Partake in the various classes or relax and enjoy the facilities at your leisure. Also, you are invited to partake in the vitally important contribution to the local natural environment by planting a tree or helping in the vegetable garden.
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat provides an array of amenities that include but are not limited to:
The Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat kitchen carries a Michelin Green Star rating.
A Sustainable Gastronomy selection was awarded to the retreat's acclaimed chef, Nicola Cunningham, designating the restaurant as one that is committed to protecting the environment.
Nicola aims to nourish guests with wholesome immune-boosting meals by using minimal dairy and sugar in the vegetarian gluten-free kitchen. The focus is on vegetable and herb combinations harvested from the retreats organic garden prepared following Ayurveda (science of life) principles.
The menu is adapted according to source and seasonality and Nicola is happy to accommodate a variety of dietary needs.
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat reflects and echoes Mother Nature’s heartbeat and in doing so enables guests to find balance within themselves and their environment.
In a joint venture with key environmental experts, Bodhi Khaya invests all surplus funds into the conservation of land, water and sustainable systems to reforest and rehabilitate the original indigenous coastal forest that once existed on the land of Bodhi Khaya.
To actively contribute to restoring the natural planet for future generations of all beings, each guest is gifted with a tree to plant and is encouraged to join in projects that include the clearing of alien vegetation.
Call the Bodhi Khaya team and find out how you can be the change that makes a difference in the environment.
Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat is a member of the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy.
The conservancy works to conserve over 20,000 hectares of threatened lowland fynbos and forest areas that form part of The Cape Floral Kingdom.
Members have articulated a mission statement that promotes the conservation of the natural and cultural diversity of the Cape Floral Kingdom, in the Walker Bay area, through cooperative partnerships.
Contact the Walker Bay Fynbos Conservancy, read here.
“A truly unique experience with great vegetarian food and an emphasis on environmental awareness. Lovely for mindfulness retreats. Very different from typical experiences at general guest houses so it’s to be embraced with openness and is worth it! Caring and friendly residents and the destination has Interesting trails for hiking.” Kyli Benadi
“Still a gem! Quiet contemplation, swims in the lily ponds, books on the terrace, and yoga in the garden. Bliss…” Tue Juelsbo
“Almost no cellphone signal, no meat, no television and no alcohol. I’m a city kid, so all of this should be a problem but I loved it. The next trips will be longer and more often! ” Sihle Shongwe
“This is sacred land. The ancient milkwoods are full of magic. The rooms are beautiful, the meditation spaces powerful, the food delicious, the service so kind. I facilitated a retreat here and having hosted retreats in many different spaces, this was the one I felt most supported by every step of the way. Cannot recommend it highly enough. Thank you to all who are giving so much to help us find our way back to our healing hearts. So grateful.” Charisse Louw
“What a wonderful aesthetic experience to rest in the calm and beauty of this place. I felt spoilt in every way.” Stella Viljoen
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