8-Day Pilates & Safari Retreat
Hosted by Monique Alloway
- Dates
- 11-18 July 2026
- Nights
- 7
- Price from
- $3,850
- Spots left
- 3
About the week
About the retreat
Join Monique Alloway of The House Pilates for a retreat that blends purposeful movement with immersive travel.
This is more than daily Pilates sessions in a beautiful setting. It is a chance to step away from routine, train with intention, and experience adventure alongside a supportive community. Expect dynamic, flowing sessions in our open-air shala, where strength training meets mobility and the surrounding landscape becomes part of the practice.
Monique wants you to feel more present, focused, and mindful to have a positive impact on your overall wellbeing. Going on a retreat can provide you with the space and time you need to reflect on your life and gain clarity and perspective. Get ready for a memorable experience!
Your Teacher
Founder of The House Pilates, Monique is passionate about improving quality of life for others through movement as a certified Pilates teacher. You’ll find her sessions have a natural flow and she likes to add props and functionality to give you a more dynamic workout. Her cues will help you create awareness in your body during sessions by building a strong mind-body connection. Monique holds full graduate certification from the 2 year comprehensive BASI teacher program. After teaching in studios for years, she decided to launch her "home studio" to offer private and semi private sessions tailored for individuals. Monique holds 17+ years of fitness teaching experience and wants to bring a healthy lifestyle to the community. She focuses on strength training with mobility work for the entire body. Monique wants us to use the environment surrounding us on this experience to enhance our movement practice.
What you'll take with you
Highlights of the week.
- Daily pilates sessions with Monique in our outdoor Shala surrounded by the tranquil savannah
- Warm welcome from a passionate local team
- Diverse safaris: by 4×4, by boat, and on foot in the bush
- Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park — two jewels of Southern Africa
- Authentic cultural experiences with the Basubiya community
- Charming accommodation in Victoria Falls and eco-friendly glamping at Munga Plains
- Optional mobile safari (4 or 6 nights) to extend the adventure deep into Botswana
A typical schedule
Day by day.
- Day 01
Arrival in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Check in at the lodge, lunch and dinner included
- Visit of Victoria Falls and rainforest
Discover Victoria Falls and the surrounding rainforest. Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, or “The Smoke that Thunders.” Recognized as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, these majestic falls offer awe-inspiring views and a vibrant rainforest ecosystem.
- Day 02
Enter Chobe National Park
- Transfer to Botswana
You’ll embark on a scenic drive across the border into Botswana (approximately one hour) to reach Kasane, the gateway to the renowned Chobe National Park. Known for its unparalleled elephant population, Chobe offers an extraordinary introduction to Botswana’s wildlife.
- Safari Boat Cruise
Your adventure begins with a relaxing boat cruise along the Chobe River, where you’ll witness elephants bathing along the banks, hippos emerging from the water, and crocodiles basking in the sun, alongside many other species in their natural habitat. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your expert safari guides, who will accompany you throughout the journey. Enjoy a delicious meal packed by our team on the boat.
- Transfer to Munga Plains
Depart for Munga Plains located 45mn outside Chobe National Park – the occasion to spot wildlife along the road that goes through the park.
- Welcome Circle
Arrive in our remote setting as the sunset washes the sky in hues of red and gold. You’ll begin your journey with a grounding meditation and a welcome circle, setting the intention for the days ahead.
- Day 03
Step into the bush
- Pilates Session
Join in the morning Pilates sessions to have fun, rejuvenate, and connect with nature’s beauty in our serene Shala.
- Guided Nature Walk
In the afternoon, venture into the bush to track wild animals, discover the secrets of local plants, and gain insights about nature – and yourself.
- Day 04
Meet local wildlife
- Game drive
Set out at dawn in a 4×4 safari vehicle to discover the wildlife of Chobe National Park. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks prepared by our team will be provided throughout the day.
- Day 05
Go with the flow
- Pilates Sessions
Two pilates practices that leave you centered, renewed, and inspired.
- Mokoro Journey
Float in serenity on a traditional dugout canoe led by our experienced guides. Spot wildlife, listen to bird melodies, and learn about this cultural tradition, while finding inner peace on the water.
- Day 06
Roam the Wild
- Wellness workshops
Let the calm and serenity of our space in the heart of the savannah soak in, while moving your body to the rhythm of the wild.
- Game drive
Head out again in a safari vehicle into Chobe National Park in search of the wildlife hiding in tall grasses and leafy trees. Keep an eye out for leopards, lions, buffalo, and elephants — four members of the “Big Five” that call the park home.
- Bush Dinner
After a long day, enjoy a dinner infused with local flavors in the bush, then gather around the fire to watch the stars and listen to traditional stories.
- Day 07
Honor local traditions
- Wellness sessions
Finish the week with two wellness workshops, harmonizing body and mind while letting yourself be guided by the rhythms of nature.
- Village Tour
Take a guided tour with the Basubiya people, visit the local school and museum, and engage in meaningful cultural workshops like basket weaving or drumming.
- Boma dinner and traditional dances
Head back to the camp for your last night and enjoy a boma dinner and traditional dances around the fire pit.
- Day 08
Departure
- Check out & Transfer
After a final sunrise at Munga Plains, you will be transferred back to Victoria Falls Airport (3-hour drive) through Chobe National Park to catch your departing flight.
- Mobile safari extension
If you are continuing the adventure with us on a mobile safari, it will depart directly from camp.
Included & extra
What's included — and what's not
What’s included
- All accommodation at Munga Plains and partner lodges on the outbound and return legs
- All meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic drinks while on retreat
- Airport arrival and departure transfers in Kasane or Victoria Falls
- Transfers between Zimbabwe and Botswana
- Daily yoga, meditation, and wellness sessions in the open-air shala led by an experienced instructor
- Boat safaris on the Chobe or Zambezi Rivers, 4x4 game drives, and guided nature walks or Mokoro (traditional canoe)
- Cultural village visit, workshops, and community experience
- Bush dinner, boma dinner, and immersive meal experiences
- Professional English-speaking guides and camp team
What’s not included
- International flights to and from Kasane or Victoria Falls
- Alcohol, bottled water, specialty coffees, and other premium drinks
- Optional activities such as massages, helicopter flights, or additional safaris
- Personal expenses and items of a personal nature
- Visas (Botswana and Zimbabwe as applicable)
- Gratuities for guides and camp staff
- Travel, cancellation, and medical insurance (mandatory; arranged separately)
The place
The camp
A yoga shala with nothing between you and the savannah. Glamping tents that catch the breeze. A boma fire under the Southern stars. Munga Plains is built for guests who want to feel the land and still sleep warm.
Moments from the plains
From past retreats
Magical week in Munga Plains. I highly recommend this place for a unique combo of wild animals, African safari life, camping and yoga.
“Munga Plains itself is breathtaking. The luxurious glamping tents offer comfort with stunning savannah views. The yoga shala is a haven, designed to feel connected to nature while practicing.”
“Arriving at Munga Plains was just a breathtaking moment. The main building overlooking the savannah and the individual glamping homes keep you feeling connected to the outside world, but with all of the luxury and comfort of amenities that make you feel at home.”
“My stay at Munga Plains was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that exceeded all my expectations. The accommodations were unique and the food was delicious.”
Reserve your place
Dates & pricing
Before you come
The practical details
Getting here
Fly into Kasane Airport (BBK) in Botswana or Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe.
Munga Plains is roughly 2.5 hours by road from Kasane Airport and 3.5 from Victoria Falls Airport. We handle the transfer; you focus on the landscape.
Visas
Botswana is visa-free for most passports. Zimbabwe requires a visa on arrival.
If your retreat crosses between both countries we recommend a double-entry Zimbabwe visa or two single entries for U.S. citizens.
Money
Botswana Pula (BWP) is the local currency; USD is widely accepted.
Bring small USD notes for tips, the village visit, and any extras in Victoria Falls.
What to pack
Neutral colours for game drives, warm layers for sunrise and sunset, and a yoga outfit you love.
See our packing checklist for the full list, including electrical adaptor types and what we provide at camp.
Weather
Dry season runs from April to October and green season from November to March.
Dry season features warm days and cool nights, while the green season brings dramatic skies and lush plains. Expect cold mornings in June and July — down to 8°C – and hot days in September and October – up to 40°C. Pack accordingly.
Health
Chobe is a high-risk malaria area. Consult your GP about anti-malarials.
A yellow fever certificate is required only if you are arriving from an endemic country.
About Munga Plains
A home in the heart of the plains
Munga Plains is a family-run retreat centre on the edge of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. The camp was built slowly, by hand, with local timber and local skills, to create a place where yoga, stillness, and wild Africa can meet in one space.
Our guests sleep in comfortable glamping tents overlooking the savannah. They practice in an open-air shala designed to feel part of the bush. They share meals made by a chef who knows every guest's name, track wildlife with guides who grew up here, and come away with something they did not know they were looking for.
We host intimate retreats every week between March and December. Our philosophy is simple: deep hospitality, real wilderness, and enough time and space for something honest to happen.
Founded
Location
Capacity
Welcome to the plains
Questions about a retreat, extensions, or whether Munga Plains is right for you? We answer every message personally.