Wild Stillness in the Mountains: a hiking and meditation retreat
Join us for an immersive silent retreat that weaves together hiking, mindfulness meditation, and nature connection in the inspiring landscapes of the Southern Drakensberg mountains. Over five days we will explore the wilderness in silence, allowing our steps to guide us inward as we walk through rivers, valleys, and mountain trails, connecting to the land, to our hearts, and to each other. Along the trails we will practice mindfulness in different formats in wild and inspiring locations.
Who is this retreat for?
Anyone who loves being out in nature and who is keen to practice mindfulness meditation. Those new to meditation and advanced practitioners are welcome.
Moderate fitness is recommended, but the hikes will not be overly strenuous.
Life-long students of nature: everyone on the retreat is welcome to share their knowledge of elements in nature so we can learn from each other.
Retreat Highlights
Silent Retreat: We will walk, eat, and meditate in silence, with some guided instruction and occasional sharing/talking sessions along the way.
Daily Guided Hikes: Three days of meditation hikes to stunning natural locations, including to the Mzimkhulu river, around Mvuleni mountain, and to the “Three Pools” within the Maloti-Drakensberg park.
Wild Meditation: Practice mindfulness in nature—walking, sitting, reclining, standing and eating meditation, and stillness in inspiring settings.
Delicious Vegetarian Meals: Three nourishing vegetarian meals a day, with packed lunches for our hikes.
Optional digital detox: This will be a precious opportunity to turn devices off or to flight mode.
Itinerary
*Final schedule will be weather-dependent.
Morning meditation & breakfast.
Depart for a silent guided hike to a stunning natural location.
Meditation practices along the way.
Picnic lunch in nature.
Return to Dharmagiri in the afternoon for ample rest and personal reflection.
Dinner, evening meditation
Practical Information
Limited participants for an intimate experience.
Packing List: Comfortable walking shoes, backpack, sun hat, rain gear (if available), sunscreen, sunglasses (optional), comfortable clothes for hiking and a warm layer
Final schedule will be weather-dependent. While we embrace nature’s unpredictability, we will adjust our hikes as needed to ensure a meaningful, safe and enjoyable experience.
About Niel and Maia
We have been partners for about nine years, living, working and practicing at Dharmagiri for the past 2.5 years. Before moving to Dharmagiri, we founded and ran the retreat space and farm “Lalela. a place of listening” outside Magaliesburg.
Niel has been practicing meditation for the past 17 years, and trained as a monastic at the Chithurst Buddhist monastery near the south coast of the UK. Niel loves going on frequent wild solitary retreats on Mvuleni mountain, and is a nature guide accredited with the Field Guide Association of SA (FGASA).
Maia is a healer and a storyteller. She has facilitated transformative storytelling, self-expression and listening projects with people in schools, NGOs, through art projects and on retreats. She is also an initiated healer within the West African Dagara tradition and is training in somatic experiencing. Maia has been exploring meditation since she was 17 and first started practicing with Kittisaro and Thanissara at Dharmagiri in 2013.
Cost
R5100pp single room with ensuite bathroom
R4700pp single room with shared bathroom
R4100pps shared room with shared bathroom
*Scholarship available upon application