A Kele Wellbeing Silent Retreat
Silent Retreat: Pumzika
November 13 - 19 2023
Pause. Disconnect from the world to reconnect with yourself. Let nature absorb into the fabric of your being. Add years to your life. In this Silent Retreat we focus on kindness to self, deep rest, immersive nature, and befriending all that you are.
Retreat Facilitator
Charlie Smith
Charlie Smith, also known as "Charlie Smiles," is a world renowned meditation teacher, retreat facilitator, filmmaker and musician who is crazy about Tanzania. His quest of self discovery began at 19 years old, when he experienced life changing transformation through the practice of meditation. Charlie spent his youth finding his voice in sweat lodges and medicine circles throughout the Carolinas and Colorado. He has over 20 years of experience in teaching meditation and energy healing and trained with Meditation Masters in Thailand, Guatemala, and the USA. Charlie co-founded KeleWellbeing retreat & meditation training company in 2022. He leads retreats and ceremonies internationally and produces/directs documentary film projects. You can find his visual art at www.csmithpictures.com
Location
Tanzania Africa
Escape to the warm embrace of Tanzania, where we will meet in Momella, of the Arusha region. At the foot of Mt. Meru we will experience nature's profound healing properties at Amini Life lodges. Find stillness in the lush forests of Hillside Lodge located on the border of Arusha National Park where we will spend the first 3 days. Then silently trek a full days walk to Original Maasai Lodge, where we will spend the next 3 days under the wide open skys between Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Accomodations
Africa Amini Life Hillside Lodge
Day 1- Day 3
Begin your Silent Retreat situated on the on the edge of the Arusha National Park, offering breathtaking views of the park, Mt Meru, and the rainforest. Nestled in the heart of Tanzania's breathtaking landscapes, perched atop the rolling hills, this retreat lodge offers a harmonious blend of serenity and earthly simplicity. The Hillside Retreat Lodge is a sanctuary where you can rehabilitate your mind, body, and soul while overlooking the majestic African plains. The rooms are comfortable and include private bathrooms with showers, kitchens, living rooms with sofas. Guests have access to an outdoor fireplace, and outdoor pool, and a sun terrace with sun loungers.
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Accomodations
Africa Amini Life Original Maasai Lodge
Day 4-7
After a day of silent bush walking you will arrive to an oasis of hospitality. Nestled between Mt. Meru and Mt. Kilimanjaro, Amini Life Original Maasai Lodge is a true sanctuary for those seeking an authentic and immersive safari experience. This extraordinary accommodation seamlessly blends traditional Maasai design with modern comforts, offering guests a glimpse into the rich culture of the Maasai people. The lodge's communal spaces, adorned with vibrant Maasai artwork, invite you to relax and unwind while soaking in the warm hospitality of the local Maasai staff. Amini Life Original Maasai Lodge is not just a place to stay; it's a gateway to a world of adventure, wildlife, and cultural exploration, making it an unforgettable destination for any traveler.
Retreat at-a-Glance
Investment in Healing
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Take the time to cause pause.
Private Lodging or Same Sex Sharing Options:
Sharing (Double Occupancy)
$2,120
Private (Single Occupancy)
$2,720
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EAC Resident Sharing(Double Occupancy)*
$1,855
EAC Resident Private (Single Occupancy)*
$2,455
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*EAC Resident meaning you currently have residency in the East African Community.
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To reserve your spot a non-refundable deposit of $600 is required. The remaining balance is collected 45 days prior to the retreat, Sept. 25, 2023.
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If you would like to inquire about a payment plan please nagivate to our contact us page.
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What's Included
- 7 nights Accommodation
- Safari Transport to/from lodges
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (Farm to
table, seasonal, Vegan/Vegetarian Options)
-Daily Meditation Training/ Healing Circles
- Daily Silent Yoga Stretch/Morning Meditations
- Guided Bush Walking Meditations
- Tea Ceremony/Cacao Ceremony
-Group gratuities for Lodges and Drivers
What's Not Included
- Airfare
- Accommodation outside of retreat dates
- Spa/Massage treatments
- Food/Drink purchased outside of the Full Board
meals provided
- Additional excursions
- Traveler's Insurance (Highly Recommended)
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Which airport do I fly into?Please book your flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
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How do I arrive at the retreat lodge?Our team transports you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to the retreat lodge at no additional cost.
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What is the deposit, booking, cancellation, and refund policy?Payment and Deposit In order to reserve your spot on a retreat a non-refundable $600 deposit is required. Full payment is due 45 days prior to the retreat on Sept. 25th, 2023. Refunds and Cancellation Our refund policy is as follows: Cancellation & Refund Policy If you choose to cancel your booking, please note that all payments are non-refundable. We do not provide refunds. In the event that a guest departs during the retreat, no refunds will be issued. We strongly advise purchasing travel insurance when making your booking to ensure protection in case you need to cancel your retreat. Cancellation by Kele Wellbeing Kele Wellbeing retains the authority to cancel any trip or a portion thereof. In such circumstances, we will issue retreat credit, which will remain valid for one year. If Kele Wellbeing cancels a retreat for any reason, including Force Majeure, please be aware that we are not liable for any financial losses related to travel arrangements made by the guest.
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What food is served on the retreat?The food served on this retreat is nourishing, farm to table african cuisine. We can accomodate vegan, vegetarian diets. Please make sure you note any food preferences/allergies on the registration form.
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Can you accomodate food restrictions/vegan/vegetarian diets?Yes! We can accomodate vegan, vegetarian diets. Please make sure you note any food preferences/allergies on the registration form.
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Is there wifi?Yes, there will be wifi available in all three retreat lodges: Hillside Lodge, Original Maasai Lodge, and Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge. However, during the Silent Retreat, or during day of silence on our Medicine Safaris, we encourage you to refrain from using technology. We can assist you in managing your tech use if its an addiction, or if you have relatives, clients, etc. that may need to contact you during these periods of digital detox.
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How many guests will be on the retreat?There will be a maximum of 14 guests on this retreat.
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What is the climate like?The tropical climate is accompanied by warm to hot temperatures during the day and a cooling off in the evening as well as in the morning hours. The summer months are December-March and the winter extends from June to September. You can check the average temperatures in the Arusha region here
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Do I need travel insurance?We highly recommend travel insurance (specifically insurance to cover airfare). We recommend Nomad Travelers Insurance. Get it here.
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What are the entry requirements for Tanzania?A passport valid for a minimum of six months beyond visa issuance and/or date of entry, and at least one blank visa page, is required. Visitors who enter on visas must present a roundtrip ticket and demonstrate they have sufficient funds for their stay. You do not need to show a COVID vaccination certificate or negative COVID test to enter Tanzania. Health officials may screen you for COVID symptoms on arrival. They may also randomly select travellers for rapid antigen testing.
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What are the local payment options if I want an addtional treatment/excursion?We recommend that you always carry cash (dollars) with you. Credit card payments are accepted for the most part, but fees may apply. Please make sure all US bills are clean and not torn, and 2009 or newer. US currency older than 2009 are not usually accepted.
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What vaccinations are required?The only vaccination that is REQUIRED is for Yellow Fever if you are coming from other countries where Yellow Fever is present. Please refer to the information provided here by Passport Health. Please consult your physician and/or contact us directly to discuss if you have questions.
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Is it safe to travel in Tanzania?From the moment you exit the airport you will be greeted by members of our experienced team. We find Tanzania to be a safe and welcoming place, which is why we are so passionate to hold retreats there. Please do you own research by speaking with fellow travelers, reading travel forums, and staying up to date on State Department travel information. In case of a medical problem, our medical team will assist you.
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How do I get a Visa for Tanzania?You can apply for an online visa at: https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/ It is also possible to get your visa on arrival at Kilimanjaro airport for $100USD CASH (US Travelers) or 50$/50€ (for most European Travelers). In order to speed up your entry, this document can be filled out in advance and handed in at the counter: https://de.tzembassy.go.tz/uploads/VISA_FORM.pdf# For detailed visa info for US travelers, please visit here
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Is it really illegal to take plastic bags with you to Tanzania?In Tanzania, plastic bags may no longer be imported, exported, manufactured, sold or used. Private users of plastic bags could therefore be punished with 30,000 shillings (about 12 Euros/Dollars) or two weeks in prison. The use of plastic in medicine, agriculture or the construction industry is exempt from the ban. ***Think plastic shopping bags, trash bags, etc. Your travel bags will be ok if they are made of plastic:)