The Art of Slow Living

ZANZIBAR

Yoga Retreat

September 20 - 27, 2026

Zanzibar is best experienced slowly. This beautiful island off the eastern coast of Africa uniquely blends indigenous African, Arab, Indian, Persian, and European cultural influences. Step outside historic Stone Town and wander along miles of white-sand beaches with palm trees and turquoise waters.

Everywhere we visit, you’ll hear Swahili phrases “Hakuna Matata” (no worries) and “pole, pole” (slowly, slowly). These are more than phrases; they are guiding principles of life on the island. They encourage people to slow down, be present, and appreciate the moment. On Zanzibar, we will live life rather than rush through it.

The sites, sounds, and culture of Zanzibar have inspired “The Art of Slow Living.” On this retreat, we will explore traveling mindfully, prioritizing quality over quantity, and embracing ASAP (Allowing Space And Pause) as our guiding mantra. As we get lost in the wonders of Zanzibar, yoga and meditation will be our anchor, grounding us in the present, focusing on meaningful experiences, and building relationships.

In a world where there never seems to be enough time in the day, slow living may seem a luxury but it is a radical act of self care. It’s about disconnecting from the intensity of daily life and reconnecting to yourself.  This retreat invites you to pull back from the fast pace and busyness of your daily life and gently return to the rhythm of your body, your breath, and your true self.  Come back home with renewed connection, purpose, and clarity.

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Pricing and Registration
  • Stone Town's Beautiful Architecture

    Stone Town's Beautiful Architecture

  • Jambiani Beach

    Jambiani Beach

  • Stone Town's Winding Lanes

    Stone Town's Winding Lanes

  • Natural Pool and Forest Spa

    Natural Pool and Forest Spa

  • Musicians

    Taarab Music

  • People swimming

    Crystal clear beaches

Trip Highlights

  • Angela practicing yoga in Zanzibar

    Daily Yoga Practice

    Each day begins with morning practice guided by Angela.  From a rooftop in Stone Town to a beach front in Jambiani, the stunning views consistently awe and inspire. As the sun sets, we gather for a more contemplative practice allowing space and pause to integrate the day.

  • Bram having a Zanzibar coffee

    Guided Walking Tours

    There will be walking tours in Stone Town and Jambiani. Bram will teach the history and culture of Zanzibar as we explore the island.

  • Spice plantation

    Zanzibari Cultural Activities

    We have hand-picked and planned cultural experiences to learn more about our host country.  These include visits to a spice plantation, learning about traditional handicrafts, and dhow boat excursion.

  • Zanzibari dinner

    Delicious Meals

    Experience the flavors of Swahili cuisine from some of the best local restaurants in Stone Town and Jambiani.  Bram’s superpower is finding the best places to eat wherever we travel. 

  • Massage tables

    Forest Spa Massage

    Skilled therapists will pamper you from head to toe, ease away tension and restore your body's balance, while you enjoy the calming beauty of your surroundings.

    • 8 days, 7 nights accommodation:

      • 3 nights in a boutique hotel in the heart of historic Stone Town

      • 4 nights in a beachfront boutique hotel on the tranquil shores of Jambiani Beach

    • Delicious meals

      • Breakfast and dinner every day

      • 2 lunches are included

      • Every meal has vegetarian and vegan options

    • All domestic transportation

      • Airport transfer from Zanzibar Airport to hotel in Stone Town and from hotel in Jambiani to Zanzibar Airport

      • Private bus from Stone Town to Jambiani

    • Yoga and meditation class(es) and Mindfulness Circle each day with Angela

    • Daily discussions about Zanzibar and East Africa’s history and culture with Bram

    • Walking tours in Stone Town and Jambiani with visits to cultural and historical sites, including:

      • Old Fort

      • Anglican Cathedral & East African Slave Trade Memorial

      • Old Dispensary

      • Shiv Shakti Hindu Temple

    • Day trips:

      • Spice plantation

      • Dhow (traditional boat) excursion

    • Natural swimming pool and forest spa (massage included)

    • Traditional Taarab music performance

    • Taxes & Fees

    • Air Fare to and from Zanzibar

    • Tanzanian visa

    • Travel Insurance

    • Spending money

    • Alcohol

    • Lunch on 4 days

    • Tips for local staff

    • Additional massage treatments

    • Any optional excursions (we can suggest a few!)

  • Our Zanzibar retreat is much more than a yoga holiday. It’s an opportunity to slow down, immerse yourself in another culture, and learn from Zanzibaris. As with all Shared Pilgrimages, we will keep our group small.

    As we get lost in the rhythm of island life, you will also have the opportunity to get to know the people. From folk musicians to skilled artisans, the heart of Zanzibar beats in its people.  Our intention for this journey is to practice living slowly. By embracing “pole, pole,” we discover more about Zanzibar and ourselves.

    Bram will lead the outward portion of our journey. He will guide us through and explain Zanzibar’s culture and history.

    Angela will guide the journey inward with yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices. She will help you dive deep within yourself to notice the imprint of this unforgettable place and its people.

    “Thus travel spins us round in two ways at once: It shows us the sights and values and issues that we might ordinarily ignore; but it also, and more deeply, shows us all the parts of ourselves that might otherwise grow rusty. For in traveling to a truly foreign place, we inevitably travel to moods and states of mind and hidden inward passages that we’d otherwise seldom have cause to visit.” - Pico Iyer

  • Day in Stone Town

    • Slow Flow Yoga & Meditation with Angela to ease into the day.

    • Savor a delicious breakfast with time to chat over coffee or tea..

    • Walking tour of Stone Town: stroll through cobblestone lanes, learning the history of this UNESCO world heritage site.

    • Free time to wander, rest, or linger over lunch with a sea view.

    • Afternoon practice with long, sweet holds in yin poses or restorative yoga, and a mindfulness circle to share our experiences and deepen our connections.

    • Sunset dinner with a stunning view of the city and sea. Sip a cocktail or mocktail as the sun sets, then enjoy a three course dinner, serenaded by the gentle sound of traditional live music.

    Day in Jambiani

    • Slow Flow Yoga & Meditation on the beach to set the tone of the day.

    • Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with your feet in the sand.

    • Daily excursions to beautiful natural sites. The first day is an unhurried walk through the village, learning the local culture.

    • Free time to walk on the beach, read a book in a hammock, take a nap, or do whatever brings you joy, peace, and deep rest.

    • Afternoon practice with yin or restorative yoga, and yoga nidra to the sound of the ocean.  Followed by a mindfulness circle to share our experiences and deepen our connections.

    • Luxuriate in a relaxed dinner on the beach at sunset.

    • Stargazing with new friends around the pool or a moonlit walk along the beach before drifting off to sleep.

Pricing and Registration
Book call to discuss retreat

Accommodation

Boutique Hotel in Stone Town

Our first accommodation is a sanctuary of style and Swahili charm in the heart of Stone Town.

This new boutique hotel is a traditional Swahili building that has been completely renovated. On a spacious rooftop overlooking the historic city, we’ll practice yoga and have our meals. There’s a refreshing pool for relaxing, and cozy nooks for curling up with a book.

Beachfront Retreat in Jambiani

We have secured the exclusive rental of a stylish, newly renovated boutique hotel nestled along the tranquil shores of Jambiani.

We will practice yoga & meditation steps away from the ocean, and dine with our feet in the sand as the sun sets. The sound of the ocean will rock us to sleep and greet us in the morning.

Private room

$3900 per person

Shared room

$3600 per person

All rooms contain one queen or king bed. Please note that if you share a room, you’re also sharing a bed.

An $800 non-refundable deposit secures your spot on the retreat.

  • A second payment of $1,000 will be due by March 1, 2026.

  • The remaining balance is due by July 1, 2026.

If you need to discuss alternative payment options, please contact us.

Pricing

Pay Deposit and Register
Book call to discuss retreat

FAQs

  • Many people who visit East Africa want to see elephants giraffes, and lions. This retreat will not include a safari, but we can help you out! Our host in Jamabiani can easily arange a safari.

    After the retreat ends, you can choose 1 or 3-day safari in mainland Tanzania. Our host will arrange transportation, guides, and accommodation.

    Any safari is not included in the cost of the retreat. Additional charges will apply.

  • Travel in Zanzibar

    All international travel requires stepping outside one's comfort zone. If you have never traveled with us before, or have any questions about travel in the developing world, we ask that you have a chat with us before submitting your deposit.

    Weather

    September is the ideal time to visit Zanzibar. It’s dry season, and the weather is warm, sunny, and breezy during the day. At night, the temperature cools slightly. Visitors should pack for the tropics. The average daily temperature is 85º F during the day and 70º F at night.

    Amenities & Internet

    Wi-fi access is complimentary. Laundry service is available for an additional cost.

  • What Airport Should I Fly Into?

    Everyone should fly to Zanzibar’s Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ). (You will purchase this flight.)

    We will arrange for pick-up at the airport.

    What Airlines Do You Recommend?

    Most major airlines fly to Zanzibar. There are no direct flights from the United States to Zanzibar. You can either fly through Europe, the Gulf, or Kenya.

    What Time Should I Plan to Arrive and Depart?

    Plan to arrive in Zanzibar no later than 2 pm on Sunday, September 20, so you have time to get to the hotel in Stone Town before our program begins.

    If you are flying home on September 27, please book your flight departure no earlier than 3 pm. We will depart from Jambiani at 10 am. It can take up 2 hours to get to the airport.

    ​What are good resources to look for Flights?

    Our preferred search engine to first look for an international flight is Kayak. Expedia and JustFly are also good resources. We also recommend looking at an airline’s website after you find a flight on a search engine. There are sometimes better deals on the airline’s website.

    How Long Should I Wait to Buy My Flight?

    The recommended time to purchase international fares at the best deals varies. You’re likely to find the best deals 6 months to 3 months before your travel date.​​ 

    Kayak also makes recommendations about when is a good time to buy a flight.

    Flight Booking Advice

    We recommend booking flights directly with the carrier, rather than through a third party. Some tickets booked through third parties can be difficult to change due to unexpected events, such as inclement weather.

  • The $800 deposit secures your place and is non-refundable.

    If you wish to cancel your trip, you must notify Angela and Bram via email. Once we’ve received your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following:​

    • If cancellation takes place before February 1, 2026, any payments made will be refunded, minus your deposit.​

    • If cancellation takes place on or after February 1, 2026, all payments will be forfeited and no refunds will be given.

    • Any refunds will incur a 6% administrative cost

    • Always purchase travel insurance that covers your trip interruption, trip cancellation, luggage and/or valuables loss, and medical assistance, including repatriation if necessary. We recommend travel insurance that includes "cancel for any reason" coverage.

    • Please ensure that your passport is valid, with at least 6 months until expiry, and that you are aware of immigration/visa laws in Tanzania.

    • Visas: As a US citizen, if you want to travel to Zanzibar for tourism, you must obtain a Tanzanian visa. You can purchase a visa in advance or upon arrival at the airport. We will send you the link to apply for a visa directly from the Tanzanian government. You can also use a third-party service, if you want help applying for a visa.

    • Zanzibar requires all foreign visitors to purchase Zanzibari travel insurance in addition to travel insurance purchased outside the country. Their travel insurance guarantees you emergency services on the island. As we approach the retreat date, we will provide you with further details.

If you have any questions that we have not answered, please write to us HERE.