• Morning and evening voluntary group yoga / mindful movement sessions for people of all levels - fun and relaxed.
• Xhosa lessons each day, for beginners to intermediate, and beyond...
• Experienced Xhosa teachers for grammatical insights and breakthroughs
• Mother tongue tutors from the local communities, ensuring lots of spoken practice
• Fun and respectful group activities, empowering the local community and economy
• Different accommodationoptions for varying budgets
• Earth friendly, vegan, delicious meals made with lots of love 

• Daily Xhosa learning as a group, with experienced tutors 
• Individual practice sessions with mother tongue tutors from the community nearby
• Daily group yoga, movement and meditation sessions
• We are a Xhosa language retreat that does daily yoga practices, not the other way round, so don’t worry about being a “yogi”, but yogis are welcome!
• Community engagements, cultural and otherwise (day outings into the close by community)
• MUSIC: learning Xhosa through Songs and Music, Xhosa Mantras, Kirtans, Sound Journey
• Knowledge sharing and discussion circles

Peace of Eden, an enchanting forest stay in the Garden Route which is passionate about wildlife, the environment and proudly the first Vegan Lodge in South Africa. A magical place 15 minutes outside Knysna in the heart of the Garden Route, great for a peaceful and relaxing time to focus on language learning and Yoga.

• forest 'glamping' tents on decks in the forest
• a variety of quirky and quaint cottages
• eco camping in a wild field along the forest edge

Or stay close by on one of the surrounding farms, or if you live in the area pop in only for the day and the retreat activities.

The lodge will be catering for our Retreat and nourish us with all the vegan goodness. Our host Jess is highly skilled in preparing mouth watering vegan meals. For the duration of the Retreat the catering will look something like this:

• Continental breakfast buffets (fruits, yoghurt, granola, superfoods, assortment of teas, savory muffins, coffee)
• Lunch (gourmet sandwich / naked burger / salad station / soups / etc) 
• Dinner (wholesome and hearty supper with a simple dessert)

Retreat packages: 

1. UBuntu Bridge Xhosa Intensive Workshop (One Week): R6500

• 3h a day live Xhosa workshops + tutor practice 
• UBuntu Bridge Xhosa course printed materials
• Online Xhosa Course access x 2 levels (UBuntu Bridge)
• Xhosa Premium Podcast Access and Audio Downloads
• Township Community Experiences

2. The Xhosa Workshops PLUS activities: R9500

• 3h a day live Xhosa workshops + tutors 
• UBuntu Bridge Xhosa course materials - 2 x Online Xhosa Course access
• Fun facilitated Xhosa community experiences 
• Variety of daily yoga and meditation sessions 
• Music Jams / Xhosa Kirtans
• Lunch for the week (+R700)

3. Above Workshops and All Activities + Camping: R10600

• all of above
• plus beautiful Camping
• self-catering

4. Workshops and activities + camping + meals: R13700

• all of above
• PLUS 3 earth-friendly VEGAN MEALS a day

5. Workshops and activities + accommodation upgrades:

• all of above 
• self catering
• R9500 + choice of accommodation
• R11500 - R15100 (see below)

6. Workshops and activities +  accommodation + meals:

• all of above 
• plus 3 earth-friendly vegan meals a day
• R12600 + choice of accommodation
• R14600 - R18200 (see below)
  
  

• Camping included free in some packages above
• R2000 pp shared dorm, R250/night (max 4 person dorm)
• R2800 pp shared private room, R350/night (twin or double)
• R2400 pp shared canvas tent, R300/night (twin or double) 
• R4800 single private canvas tent, R600/night (limited availability) 
• R5600 single private room, R700/night (limited availability)

 
If you would like to arrange your own accommodation outside Peace of Eden and the close Retreat setting then please see list of close by accommodation below: 

• Lazy Leopard 
• Woodlands
• Cliffhanger
• The School

Please note: Travel costs are not included in any of the retreat packages!

• We don’t want anyone who is enthusiastic and committed to not join due to finances, so please speak to us! 

• Limited number concessions, and student discounts available on request
• Family and other group discounts, space allowing

• All levels are welcome. 
• No matter your level of Xhosa knowledge or confidence, both will expand dramatically
• In the booking procedure and on the retreat, we will ask more about your current level and structure things accordingly
• Of course it depends on your effort in the learning sessions and in between and engaging with Xhosa speaking people, but we will make both easy for you to do
• We will create an encouraging and supportive learning environment with fun opportunities to practice together
• Each year we improve the structure and ways of supporting your Xhosa learning journey

"Absolutely! The most valuable learning experience was that I just have to get over my anxieties and talk!  I felt my Xhosa improved and I found many gaps that I wasn’t aware of" - Finn L, University of Cape Town Xhosa graduate 2020

"Yes, a huge amount!  Since I have got back home I have had my usual interactions with security guards and shop assistants with a lot less effort and more content than before."  - Sandy Todd, 2019 and 2020 participant

"Definitely! The last few days I have been more confident and I feel that isiXhosa is more within my reach" - Nadia Kamies, Writer

"Definitely yes and it's with gratitude that I received much from the teachers, tutors and fellow students" - Woon Peng

"Yes and yes, beyond expectation" - Renee O, High School Xhosa Teacher, 2019 and 2020 participant

 “I learnt so much and had so much fun.” - Carla Mostert, YhoXhosa 2019 & 2020 participant

• Depending on the different levels of yourself and other participants, we will devise ways to split up the groups and sessions, balancing grammar studies with group practicing.
• We will work with UBuntu Bridge materials:
  
  

Pre/post-learning:

• downloads/podcasts
• online course available

On the Retreat: 

• You receive a printed UB Xhosa manual for all essentials
• Any books you choose to bring with you (ask for our recommended list)
• however you may bring whatever books you already have and work from those. 
  
  

Teachers will include UBuntu Bridge founder Craig Makhosi, other guest teachers to be announced and UBuntu Bridge trained facilitators, including local guides, tutors and practice partners.

• They are relaxed and enjoyable, voluntary sessions for people of all ages and fitness levels
• We will sometimes split classes and styles based on people's levels and preferences. 
• There is no dogma or judgement (all religions and beliefs welcome)
• A variety of fun, qualified yoga / movement and exercise instructors will lead the sessions (more info to follow)
• with a local Garden Route Yoga teacher
• Zanele’s delicious, gentle Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) and sound journeys 
• We will even learn to meditate and move in Xhosa ;)