What a Week Feels Like

A carefully curated balance of adventure, rest, and unforgettable wildlife moments.

ITINERARY

What happens on the retreat?

Your week, day by day

Day 1 — Arrival & Settle In Your St Lucia Unplugged experience begins with arrival in South Africa and your transfer from King Shaka International Airport to St Lucia. After the journey, this first day is all about slowing down, settling into Livingston Lodge, meeting your host and fellow guests, and easing into the relaxed pace of the retreat. No rush, no pressure — just arrive, unpack, breathe, and begin switching off from everyday life.

Day 2 — Slow Morning & Hippo and Crocodile Boat Cruise After a travel day, we keep the first full day gentle. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, relax by the pool, explore the small town of St Lucia, or simply take the morning at your own pace. Later, we head out onto the St Lucia Estuary for a hippo and crocodile boat cruise through Africa’s largest estuarine system. Expect hippos surfacing beside the boat, crocodiles along the banks, birdlife in the reeds, and a peaceful introduction to the wild beauty of St Lucia.

Day 3 — Big 5 Safari Day 3 is your first big safari adventure. We head out early for a professionally guided Big 5 safari, giving you the chance to experience the African bush at one of its most alive and atmospheric times of day. With experienced guides leading the way, you’ll learn about animal tracks, behaviour, landscapes, and the rhythm of the wild. This is a proper safari day — open landscapes, wildlife, stillness, excitement, and unforgettable moments in nature.

Day 4 — Ethical Elephant Interaction This day is focused on conservation, education, and connection. You’ll take part in an ethical elephant interaction with Rambo and Rachel, two elephants with a powerful story of survival and care. This experience is not about entertainment — it’s about understanding elephants more deeply, learning from experienced guides, and gaining a greater appreciation for why conservation matters. It’s one of the most meaningful moments of the week.

Day 5 — Beach and Bush Horse Ride Day 5 gives you one of the most unique ways to experience St Lucia: from the saddle. You’ll take part in a beach and bush horse ride through beautiful coastal landscapes, moving through open bush, forest, sand, and sea air while taking in the wild surroundings from a completely different perspective. This experience is suitable for different riding levels, from beginners to more confident riders, with guidance provided throughout. Along the way, there may be chances to spot wildlife such as zebra, kudu, warthog, impala, waterbuck, and other animals that call the area home. It’s a day about freedom, movement, nature, and slowing down enough to feel fully present in the landscape.

Day 6 — Cape Vidal Beach Day, Snorkelling & Night Safari Day 6 brings together the ocean and the bush in one unforgettable day. We travel through iSimangaliso Wetland Park towards Cape Vidal, where forest meets beach and the warm Indian Ocean. Depending on conditions, there will be time for snorkelling, swimming, walking, relaxing, and soaking up one of the most beautiful coastal areas near St Lucia. Later, after returning and resting, we head back out for a night safari — a completely different experience where the bush changes after dark, nocturnal animals begin to move, and the sounds of the African night take over.

Day 7 — Breakfast, Goodbyes & Departure The final morning is slow and simple. Enjoy breakfast at the lodge, pack your bags, say goodbye to the group, and begin the transfer back to King Shaka International Airport. After a week of safari, ocean, wildlife, conservation, adventure, and stillness, Day 7 is about heading home with stories, memories, and a little more space to breathe.

The rhythm of the week

Every day brings something new - but here's a taste of how your adventure unfolds:

Every day brings something different — but the rhythm of the retreat stays the same: adventure, wildlife, ocean air, and time to slow down.

Mornings may begin with breakfast at the lodge, coffee in the quiet, or an early start into the bush for safari.

During the day, you could be out on the estuary watching hippos and crocodiles, riding from bush to beach, meeting elephants, exploring Cape Vidal, or simply relaxing between activities.

There will also be time to enjoy St Lucia itself — the pool, local cafés, restaurants, curio shops, street markets, coastal walks, or a treatment in town.

Evenings are for sunsets, good food, slow conversations, and listening to the African night come alive.

This is not a rushed tour.

It’s a hosted week of safari, sea, stillness, and connection — with every scheduled activity guided in a small group for a more personal experience.