• Morning and evening voluntary group yoga / chi-kung / mindful movement / dance 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 accommodation options for varying budgets
• Standard lodge cuisine and Traditional Xhosa meals
  
• Stunning Coastal Hikes!
• Xhosa Music Jams with the Mangalam Mantra Band

• Daily Xhosa learning as a group, with experienced tutors that we bring in especially for the retreat.
• Individual practice sessions with mother tongue tutors from the village.
• Daily group yoga, movement and meditation sessions. The yoga sessions are voluntary, but we will also split into different levels and have different styles so you can choose what suits you and when.  
• 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
• Knowledge sharing and discussion circles
• Xhosa songs and music jams
• Blissful sleeps to the sounds of crashing waves.
• Activities of the lodge to be booked individually, which contribute further cash into the pockets of community-owned businesses, and may be subject to change without our knowledge:
  
  Herbalist R200, Village tour R200, Ngqeleni Women Power Tour R250, Fishing R200, Drumming lessons R100, Secret Beach Hike R250, Kayak Tour R250, Massage full body R450. 

• We will be staying in various lodge-based accommodations which is near the beach at the river mouth
• Different accommodation options (Camping, Wooden Cabins, Rondavels)
• We also offer village-based accommodation up in the hills which is an amazing experience and will boost your Xhosa skills even more. You will be staying at a local homestead in the Bulungula village within walking distance to the lodge. Your host family will also provide you with meals.

• The Lodge will provide three meals a day, catering for veg, vegan or meat eaters.  If your dietary needs are more complex, you may need to self-cater, as we are rolling with what the lodge can provide (see their menu here: https://click.ubuntubridge.org/Bulungula-Menu)
• Food can be self-catered too, though eating with the lodge further supports the community and enables us to eat together more easily.
• We will structure some Xhosa lessons around eating and food.
• It may be advised to bring your own snacks, but there are options at the lodge for you to order extra food between meals.  
• Shops however are many hours away on rough roads, so once you are here, best to stay here and bring all you need! :)

PRICE BREAKDOWN BELOW:

Retreat Fee
+ Meal costs
+ Accommodation Preference
+ Travel costs
= TOTAL

NOTE:
*Travel costs are your own to organise and pay.  We provide info and options!

**We offer group discounts and concessions for low income earners - get in touch!

Retreat fee: R15 000
Early Bird: R12 500 (first 5 bookings)
Concessions:  R7 500 (limited number), Early bird price available pp for groups of 4+)

• includes all yoga / movement / meditation sessions

• UB provided Xhosa learning materials

• Xhosa lessons, lectures, workshops

• Xhosa practice partners and tutors from the village (individual coaching can also be set up)

• Build up language coaching / post retreat integration
  
  

Food Catering: + / - R2000-R3000

• You choose your own food and pay the bill at the lodge
• 3 meals a day for 7 days provided by Bulungula Lodge
• R2500 being an estimate depending on your food orders and choices
• You will settle your food bill at the end of the Retreat with the Lodge
  
  

Accommodation options:

• Prices for 8 nights and 7 full days!
• Accommodation RANKED by order of comfort and protection from the elements, and thus also by pricing :) 
  
  

Option 1: Thatch Rondavels

Traditional Thatch Rondavels at Bulungula Lodge with sea and river mouth view (limited availability) 

• R10000 for a single person in Traditional Rondavel, EN-SUITE R1250pp/night 

• R8800 for a single person in Traditional Rondavel, (shared ablutions) R1100pp/night

• R5000 pp for 2 person shared Rondavel EN-SUITE, R625pp/night

• R4400 pp for 2 person shared Rondavel (shared ablutions), R550pp/night 

• R2800 pp in Dorm Rondavel (shared ablutions), R350/night (3 - 4 people per dorm)

Option 2: Dune Forest Wooden Cabins

Rustic cabins situated in the beautiful forest at Bulungula Lodge

• R7000 for a single person in cabin, R875/night (limited availability)
• R3500 pp for shared cabin, R440/night (2 people)

Option 3:  Camping

Situated in the beautiful forest at Bulungula Lodge.

• R1760 pp for Camping, R220/night

Limited campsites available!
 

• 3-man tents or smaller only (pref two people per tent)
• You need to bring you own tent (waterproof), mattress and bedding
• Note: You are NOT able to park a caravan or camping trailer on the lodge property
• It can be rainy and stormy - make sure your tent is good quality and in good condition!!!

• 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 in the village, 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

• 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 practising.
• We will work with UBuntu Bridge materials (freely included) 

Pre/post-learning:

• downloads/podcasts
• online course available

In the Village: 

• You receive a printed UB village 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.

"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

• 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)
• Siggy’s Vinyasa Flow
• Zanele’s delicious, gentle Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep) and sound journeys 
• Makhosi’s Xhosa Chi Kung sessions involve mindful tai chi style movement with breath and sometimes simple Xhosa instructions and chants
• We will even learn to meditate and move in Xhosa ;)

• You, most definitely, as the experience is deeply enriching on many levels
• The Village residents and community benefit, as we provide them with a lodge book-out for over a week outside of the busy / tourist season.
• Community-owned Lodge receive all the meal and bar income, which goes entirely to their suppliers, the staff and community.
• Local Yoga teachers
• Community businesses who offer the various daily activities, income goes directly and entirely to the community
• UBuntu Bridge continues to seek sustainable models for growth and continuation. The balance of fees paid goes to the team of facilitators, and UBuntu Bridge admin team, and even with both retreats operating at the capacity amount, a portion of expenses are covered by UBuntu Bridge, as we continue to invest towards a sustainable vision.
• Donations and volunteering assistance are always welcome!

1. Do you have an offering that fits well with our retreat?  

2. Do you know Xhosa speaking facilitators, performers, teachers, creators that could add value and are looking for opportunities?  

Then reach out to us and let us know.