Indlovu Coaching Retreat 

Rest. Reflect. Connect. Play. Discover. Be Inspired. Grow. Evolve

Tracking your aliveness and joy.

“There is no place like Africa. There is something about the spirit of the people, the beauty of the land, and the diversity of the wildlife that touches the soul.”
— Tony Fitzjohn

    • Experience the thrill, magic, and magnificence of the African bush. Indlovu is home to the ‘Big 5’ – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, and leopard as well as a wide variety of other animal and bird species

    • 2 daily game drives with expert guides and trackers

    • Excursion to Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

  • All participants are seeking personal growth and transformation. The retreat consists of intentionally crafted and inter-woven elements, activities and experiences, to provide a unique and powerful opportunity for transformation. The retreat is wrapped in the container of the bush, which provides a natural environment for reflection, meditation and learning.

    Groups are small and intimate with up to 7 participants and retreat leadership.

    • Option 1: You wish to join a retreat with pre-retreat and post-retreat preparation and support.

    • Option 2: You are part of a longer coaching program with me, which includes the retreat.

    • Option 3: You have an existing personal or professional group that will benefit from the retreat. For example, leaders, teams, women’s group, special interest groups. We work together to customise the retreat to meet your group’s exact requirements.

    • Participants will receive a 1:1 coaching session with Cal (more available on request).

    • Scheduled group conversations, exercises and activities take place after breakfast for 1 hour and continue informally throughout the day.

    • A workshop morning consisting of special interest topics relevant to the group.

    • Storytelling around the fire.

    • Experience the fun, joy, laughter and connection of the community.

    • Connect with, and spark conversations with new friends on the same journey and receive rich and different insights, inspiration and perspectives.

    • Experience the concept and wisdom of ‘Ubuntu’ where we connect with the joy and support of the ‘village’.

    • Rest and rejuvenate away from the ‘noise’ of everyday life in the bush.

    • Find yourself meditating naturally with the rhythm of nature.

    • Feel deeply nourished and cared for from the minute you register, continuing throughout your time at Indlovu through luxurious accommodation, mindful activities and delicious meals. 

    • 7 nights accommodation at the private game lodge.

    • 12 game drives: 2 per day - allowing for workshop and outing mornings.

    • Small group limited to 7 participants for a personalised and intimate experience.

    • Private bedrooms and bathrooms.  All are lovely and configured with different features.  Booked on a first come first served basis.

    • Delicious meals, snacks and drinks throughout the retreat.

    • 1:1 coaching, guided group conversations, activities and exercises. 

    • A morning workshop covering special interest topics relevant to participants.

    • Morning excursion to nearby Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre.

    • All land transport transfers to and from Hoedspruit to Indlovu.

    • Game Park entry fees.

    • Gratuities (you are welcome to tip further is you wish).

    • A donation to the local community.

    • Personal growth, community, fun as part of a magical bush experience.

    • Pre-retreat logistics support.

    • Pre-retreat participant preparation and readiness sessions.

    • Post-retreat participant integration support.

    • A welcome gift.

    • Your international return airfare from home to Johannesburg airport.

    • Your domestic return airfare from Johannesburg airport to Hoedspruit.

    • Any extra nights of hotels or transport etc outside of the retreat dates.

    • Personal, medical, and trip cancellation insurance.

    • Travel visas.

  • Pre-retreat: Registration & travel planning

    • You will be supported throughout the registration and travel planning process. 

    • We can help with suggestions for flight routes, airlines (international and domestic), itineraries and hotel options (including shuttles and transfers).  

    • If you are interested in spending extra days before or after the retreat in South Africa e.g. in Cape Town, we can make recommendations.

    Pre-retreat: Participant readiness

    • Prior to the retreat we have a number of group zoom calls to prepare you. 

    • The number, frequency and content of these calls will be discussed in the planning stage.

    Post-retreat: After-care

    • This is key for embedding your growth for lasting change. 

    • After allowing a few weeks for reflection and integration, there will be e-mail and text support followed by group zoom calls to support the embedding of growth and transformation, including the application of daily practices. 

    • We celebrate your transformational journey!

“Africa changes you forever, like nowhere on Earth. Once you have been there, you will never be the same.”
— Brian Jackman

    • Indlovu is part of the greater Karongwe private game reserve.

    • It is situated on the banks of the Kuvename river close to the Kruger National Park and overlooks the Drakensberg mountain range.

    • Indlovu is approximately a 45 min drive from Hoedspruit in the Limpopo province in the North Eastern corner of South Africa.

    • Seven standalone luxury en-suite bedrooms, which are serviced daily.

    • Indoor and outdoor dining areas: the boma, by the swimming pool and in the dining room.

    • There are places to relax and enjoy the calm and beauty of the African bush including: a private swimming pool, a game hide and a lapa overlooking the banks of the Kuvenane river. Take a drink and some binoculars and see what you can spot from your chosen vantage point.

    • If you have time there is a small gym, and an approximately 1km walking track around the lodge.

    • Indlovu is fully surrounded by an electrified wildlife fence and it is safe to walk around and explore.

    • The lodge is not open to the public and our space at the lodge is private.

“If I have ever seen magic, it has been in Africa”
— John Hemingway

    • All participants are seeking personal growth and transformation.

    • Groups are small and intimate and limited to no more than 7 participants.

    • A three person retreat leadership team, led by Cal and supported by Ali and Jess, all of whom are experienced in the African bush:

      • Cal – Master Life & Leadership Coach and host.

      • Ali – Professional Guide and host.

      • Jess – Guide, photographer, guest relations.

    • The Indlovu support team:

      • Guide/Tracker - Obvious (his real name) is our knowledgeable and intuitive guide/tracker and driver of the game vehicle.

      • Chefs - Selena and Elisa are our two dedicated chefs for the week nourishing us with culinary delights.

      • Housekeepers and Grounds Staff – Keep the lodge looking beautiful inside and out.

      • Onsite management team - Oversees the daily running of the lodge.

    • For each retreat we aim to contribute some books and stationery items to the local school and community.  Participants can bring and make any donations if they wish.

    • Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre: on one of the mornings we visit the centre to understand more about wildlife rehabilitation and the devastating effects that poaching, snaring and poisoning is having on our wildlife population and ecosystem.  We learn how individuals, companies, and organisations are coming together to eradicate poaching and rescue and support animals.  We see how communities are working together to manage the competing interests of farming, conservation and tourism.

“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up that I was not happy.”
— Ernest Hemingway

    • After being in the bush for only a few hours we find our senses awakening to everything going on around us - the sunsets, the sunrises, the crackle of the fire, the sounds, smells and sights of animals and plants, the quick burst of a sudden afternoon thunderstorm, the taste of local ingredients, the wisdom of local knowledge, the vistas and landscapes … the list is endless.

    • We learn from the animals and the birds - how they live, how they behave, how they communicate .

    • We learn from the trees, the plants, the soil, the vegetation – their cycles, their role in the greater picture.

    • We see the interconnection and interdependencies within the ecosystem and the lessons we can learn from observing each aspect of nature.  The classroom is all there for the learning!

    • We learn from the local people at our lodge the concept of ‘Ubuntu’ and what it means to be part of a ‘village’.

    • We are reminded that we are one with nature and that joy, connection, support and love are qualities that are always available to us.

    • Tapping into nature and each other, we get the rare opportunity to look within and access our own innate wisdom.

    • As individuals, we form a group to share ideas, experiences and perspectives that serve to enrich the experience for everyone.

“You know you are truly alive when you’re living among lions”
— Karen Blixen

    • We prepare for the retreat through a series of group zoom calls each designed to set the stage and prepare for the upcoming retreat.

    • Set your intentions and hopes for the retreat.  What aspects of your personal and/or professional life would you like to work or focus on in the retreat?

    • You will receive relevant articles, book recommendations, worksheets, some inspiration building up to the retreat.

    • The retreat involves several experiential activities such as game drives, stillness in nature, daily topics and prompts, activities and exercises that will all contribute to your transformational time in the bush. 

    • Taking time for rest, rejuvenation, engaging in various creative activities, connection with others (participants and guides) also plays a role in your overall transformation.

    • You will also receive 1:1 coaching sessions, teachings, participate in guided group conversations, storytelling at the boma, workshops of special interest, an informative and educational outing to the nearby wildlife rehabilitation centre, opportunity to support and be supported.

    • There will be a lot to process and this may take time…it won’t happen overnight.

    • We allow time for re-entry to daily life and to apply any recently inspired daily practices.  Then, after 3-4 weeks of reflection and integration we meet again on zoom to reconnect, share further insights and learnings and celebrate how far we have journeyed together!

“Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations.”
— William Burchell

    • An early start. 05:15 coffee and tea on the patio overlooking the riverbed for the early birds.

    • At 05:30 we set off to the dawn chorus and witness the bush waking up to the African sunrise. 

    • Halfway through the drive we stop at one of the many gorgeous spots, maybe a water hole or a river bank for our morning coffee, tea, rusks and homemade muffins and great conversation.

    • Around 09:00 we return to the lodge ready for breakfast.

    • A delicious and hearty breakfast is served on the patio overlooking the Kuvename river.

    • Over breakfast we introduce the daily topic and start the conversation on it.

    • After breakfast we have a guided group conversation and journaling on the daily topic and prompts.

    • You may choose to continue this activity in your rest and integration time. 

    • This is your time to rest and integrate all that is going on. 

    • You may rest, exercise in the small gym or walk around the fenced in path or meet up with someone.

    • A delicious packed picnic basket will be available for you each day at a time that suits you. Take it with you wherever you chose to go.

    • There are plenty of places to spend your rest time. Meet a fellow participant at the hide or the pavilion, or spend time by the pool.

    • Over the course of the week each participant will have a ‘walk and coach’ 1:1 session with Cal from 15:00 to 15:40.  There will be other opportunities for 1:1’s upon request.

    • From 15:40 to 16:00 a refreshing tea will be served on the patio with cake and a fruit platter in preparation for the evening sunset game drive. 

    • At 16:00 we set off on our sunset game drive.

    • We stop for sunset drinks at another beautiful spot along the way - a water hole, kopje (hill) or another vantage point.  Gin & tonic, wine, soft drinks, Amarula are served along with light snacks.

    • At around 19:00 we return to the lodge to prepare for dinner.

    • At 19:15 we head to either the boma, the swimming pool area or the dining room for a delicious 3-course dinner.

    • We engage in group conversation and storytelling while listening out for wildlife around the camp. 

    • We spend some time sitting around a crackling fire eating dessert and doing some stargazing before heading to bed for another magical day in the bush.

    • One morning of the retreat is dedicated to a workshop of relevant, engaging and inspirational special interest topics. 

    • This day starts with breakfast at 09:00, giving you the chance to sleep in or enjoy a pre-breakfast walk around the lodge.

    • The workshop will run from 10:00 to 13:00 and will be followed by a delicious sit down lunch on the patio.

    • The rest of the day will follow the daily schedule with afternoon tea at 15:40 and the evening sunset game drive at 16:00.

    • We start with an early breakfast so we can depart at 08:30.

    • We return by 13:00 and sit down to another delicious lunch on the patio.

    • We get to understand more about wildlife rehabilitation and the devastating effects that rhino poaching, animal snaring and poisoning is having on our wildlife population and ecosystem. 

    • We then see the other heart-warming side where individuals, companies and communities have come together to combat poaching and support animals that can be rescued and in some cases, rehabilitated back into the wild. 

    • We learn about how communities are now working together to manage the seemingly competing interests of farming, conservation and tourism.

“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne – bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
— Karen Blixen

  • “A truly inspirational, empowering, joyful and life-changing week!"

    ~ Alison M.

    Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

  • “Life-changing, transformative, and deeply nourishing."

    ~ Sarah P.

    Portland, Oregon, USA

  • "I was completely immersed in joy, wonder, and awe ... " my soul was cared for and tended by Cal and the whole Indlovu team.

    ~ Cindy A.

    North Carolina, USA

  • "My experience was nothing short of magical. I learned about the wildlife, the land and myself."

    ~ Hannah R.

    Toronto, Canada

  • "Cal's warm welcome is just the beginning of your journey into a magical place, where you have the chance to look at life in a different way. "

    ~ E.D.

    New Zealand

  • "I will never be able to thank you enough for the experience you made happen and the awe!"

    ~ Teresa S.

    San Diego, USA

  • "Unlike any group I’ve ever travelled with, self-honouring practices have been welcomed and encouraged."

    ~ Elizabeth H.

    Miami, Florida, USA

Full Testimonials
“The only man I envy is the man who has not yet been to Africa – for he has so much to look forward to.”
— Richard Mullin

2025 Dates

24 January – 31 January 2025 – Complete

We plan to hold two more retreats in 2025. One will be in June and the other will be in Sept / Oct / Nov.

Get in touch to discuss suitable dates.

Contact us if you have any questions or if you are interested in joining a life-changing coaching adventure.