South Africa 2027
Pilates in the Wild • Safari
24th September - 1st October 2027
South Africa 2027Practise Pilates beside Hippo Dam as the bush wakes around you, head into Kruger National Park in search of the Big Five and explore the magnificent Blyde River Canyon. Join Natasha, aka The Continental Fox, for a week of movement, safari and adventure, with extraordinary experiences out in the wild and time to enjoy being away.
Your home is Phelwana Game Lodge in the Greater Kruger area, where your own private room and pool await between outings. Expect thoughtful Pilates sessions, delicious meals and afternoons when the only decision is whether to swim, read or book yourself another massage.
Discover more↓
Pilates with Natasha at Hippo Dam, in the boma and on the garden lawn.
Thoughtful sessions focused on strength, body awareness and confidence.
Four reserve game drives, including sunset and morning outings.
A full-day safari in Kruger National Park.
A guided bush walk.
Traditional bushcraft and plant knowledge.
A Blyde River Canyon boat cruise and nature walk to the waterfall.
One included massage.
Seven nights at Phelwana Game Lodge, with your own private room and private pool.
Breakfast, dinner and time to enjoy the lodge.
Support from a Freedom host throughout the retreat.
Highlights
Move well. Get out there. Enjoy every minute.
Imagine beginning your day with Pilates beside the water, then heading out to see what the bush has in store. An afternoon watching wildlife might be followed by dinner with new friends; a morning exploring the canyon might end with a swim in your own pool.
Join Natasha for seven nights in South Africa, bringing together her love of Pilates and the excitement of experiencing somewhere completely different. With over ten years of teaching experience, she’ll encourage you to explore movement, develop your strength and build confidence at your own pace.
We’ll practise in memorable outdoor settings, spend a full day in Kruger National Park and discover Blyde River Canyon by boat and on foot. There’ll be early starts worth getting up for, plenty of opportunities to explore and enough free time to feel properly on holiday.
Natasha leads the Pilates programme, assisted by a Freedom host who will help everything run smoothly throughout your stay. You can settle in, get to know the group and enjoy the week ahead.
Highlights
Pilates with a different view
Roll out your mat beside Hippo Dam, in the boma and on the garden lawn. Natasha’s encouraging approach gives you time to explore your practice, understand your body and enjoy moving in extraordinary surroundings.
Experience the wild
A full day in Kruger National Park, morning and sunset game drives, a guided bush walk and a journey into Blyde River Canyon. Plenty to fill your camera roll, and even more to enjoy while you’re there.
Make yourself at home
Your own room, your own pool and time to enjoy both. Swim, read, unwind with your included massage or spend an afternoon doing very little. Shared meals bring everyone back together at the end of the day.
THE ITINERARY
Your week with Natasha
(The Continental Fox)
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Arrive at the lodge from 1:30pm, put down your bags and take a look around your home for the week.
After settling in and meeting Natasha, your Freedom host and the group, we’ll head straight out on our first game drive. Watch the bush unfold around you as the afternoon light softens, then return for dinner and the first of many conversations around the table.
An extraordinary week is only just beginning.
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Our opening Pilates session takes us to Hippo Dam, with the water beside us and the sounds of the reserve all around.
Natasha will help you settle into the practice, exploring movement with attention to your own body and experience.
Afterwards, enjoy the lodge, swim or relax before we head out on a sunset game drive. Keep your eyes on the landscape—you never know what the afternoon might bring.
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We’ll be up before the sun for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park.
Have your camera ready as we search for the Big Five and watch for the many other animals that call this landscape home. There’s something absorbing about watching wildlife on its own terms; the hours can pass surprisingly quickly.
Back at the lodge, a gentler Pilates session gives us time to move after a day in the vehicle before dinner together.
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Begin with Pilates in the boma, our open-air gathering space, before breakfast and a day discovering more about the landscape around us.
Explore traditional plant uses and bushcraft, learning about the knowledge and skills used to live alongside the land.
We’ll return during the afternoon, with time to unwind before an evening movement session and dinner together.
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A slower morning of Pilates on the garden lawn and a late breakfast, followed by a lovely stretch of time to yourself.
Swim, get lost in your book or enjoy an afternoon nap—you’re on holiday, after all!
Later, we’ll head out on a guided bush walk, discovering the tracks, plants and smaller details that are easy to miss from a vehicle.
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Today we venture into Blyde River Canyon, cruising beneath its towering walls before following a nature trail to the waterfall. The water, greenery and sheer scale of the landscape make this a remarkable contrast to our days in the reserve.
After time to relax back at the lodge, we’ll head out for a bush drive and Pilates at Hippo Dam as the afternoon light begins to fade.
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Our final full day begins with sunrise Pilates at Hippo Dam, followed by a morning bush drive before breakfast.
Enjoy an afternoon at the lodge, take a final dip in your pool or spend some time with the people you’ve got to know.
Later, we’ll gather to close the week, watch one last African sunset and share our farewell dinner.
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A final morning at the lodge before checkout at 10am.
Time to pack up, swap details and say goodbye after a week of movement, wildlife and shared adventure.
Head home with photographs to look through, stories to tell and, we hope, a little more confidence in what your body and mind can do.
This is our planned itinerary; timings and activities may change. Pilates sessions will be shaped by Natasha.
Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
What’s included
Seven nights at Phelwana Game Lodge in a private room with a private pool.
Breakfast and dinner.
The scheduled Pilates programme with Natasha.
Welcome and closing gatherings.
Four scheduled reserve game drives.
A guided bush walk.
A full-day Kruger National Park excursion.
The traditional bushcraft and plant knowledge experience.
A Blyde River Canyon boat cruise and waterfall walk.
One massage during your stay.
Support from a Freedom host throughout the retreat.
Group transport for scheduled excursions.
One scheduled group transfer from Hoedspruit Airport on arrival and one back on departure.
Please contact us for flight advice and group transfer timings before booking your flights.
Pilates in the Wild ↠
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Eight days of Pilates, safari and adventure with Natasha, The Continental Fox.
Encouraging teaching that helps you explore your own strength, awareness and confidence.
Practice in outdoor settings, with the bush as your backdrop.
Wildlife encounters and a chance to experience the reserve from both a vehicle and on foot.
A full day exploring Kruger National Park.
Canyon scenery, a boat cruise and a waterfall walk.
Time to enjoy your private pool and included massage.
Shared dinners, good company and space for yourself.
A Freedom host on hand to support the running of your week.
Meet Natasha
Pilates in the Wild is led by The Continental Fox Pilates, aka Natasha
With over ten years of experience teaching Pilates, Natasha is passionate about helping people develop strength, awareness and confidence in their bodies. Her teaching encourages you to work with your individual abilities and goals, creating a supportive environment where movement feels both empowering and enjoyable.
She combines thoughtful instruction with encouragement and a genuine love of Pilates, helping people of different experience levels progress at their own pace. There’s room to ask questions, explore and discover what you’re capable of.
In South Africa, Natasha will bring this approach to a week of outdoor practice and safari adventure. She’ll be supported by a Freedom host, leaving her free to focus on your Pilates experience and share the journey with you.
Where we’ll stay
Private rooms ✦ Breakfast ✦ Dinner ✦ Beautiful grounds ✦ Private pool
So, why join us?
Pilates in the Wild is for you if you love the idea of moving your body, seeing extraordinary wildlife and having a proper adventure without organising every detail yourself. You’re drawn to time outdoors, good company and a holiday that leaves room for both early starts and lazy afternoons.
Perhaps you already enjoy Pilates and would love a whole week to explore it further. Perhaps you’re curious about the practice and like the idea of learning somewhere completely different. Natasha’s approach encourages you to work at your own pace, with support along the way.
Come on your own or with someone else, ready to explore and enjoy the experience. We’ll take care of the planned week, with your own room waiting whenever you fancy a little time to yourself.
What’s not included?
Flights.
Travel insurance.
Lunches.
Alcoholic drinks.
Optional massages, treatments and extra amenities.
Personal spending and activities outside the itinerary.
Any transport or transfers not expressly listed as included.
Your questions answered
Pilates in the Wild
September - October 2027
£1,960 per person
Private rooms
20 spaces total
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Th retreat is September 24th - October 1st 2027.
7 nights / 8 days
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You’re very welcome to come on your own. Shared outings and meals give you plenty of opportunities to get to know people throughout the week, while free time means you can enjoy your own company too. All rooms are private.
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Natasha teaches people of different experience levels and encourages everyone to work with their own body and abilities.
If you’re new to Pilates, returning after a break or have particular requirements, contact us before booking so we can talk through whether the programme suits you.
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Expect Pilates, early safari starts, time in vehicles and walking excursions, including a guided bush walk and a waterfall walk.
There’s free time between activities to rest and enjoy the lodge.
Get in touch if you’d like to discuss the walking or movement requirements before booking.
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We’ll spend a full day in Kruger National Park in search of them, alongside game drives in the reserve throughout the week.
Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed- these are wild animals, and every outing is different. There’s plenty to look out for beyond the Big Five too.
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Absolutely. The itinerary leaves room for swimming, reading, afternoon naps and enjoying the lodge. Wild Connection has a dedicated slower day just for you.
A private massage next to your private pool is also included in the cost.
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You’ll stay in private, beautifully appointed villas at Phelwana Game Lodge, designed for deep rest between adventures. The spaces are tranquil and nature-rooted, with comfortable lounging areas and a private pool for moments of quiet reflection, reading, or post-practice relaxation.
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Yes. Payment plan options are available at cheakout.
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This is a Pilates retreat. The movement programme is led by Natasha and replaces the yoga and meditation offered on Freedom’s Wild Connection week.
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Natasha, aka The Continental Fox, will lead the retreat and teach the Pilates sessions. A Freedom host will assist with the running of the week. Safari activities and guided walks will be led by the relevant local guides.
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It costs £1,960
Not included:
Flights.
Travel insurance.
Lunches.
Alcoholic drinks.
Optional massages, treatments and extra amenities.
Personal spending and activities outside the itinerary.
Any transport or transfers not expressly listed as included.