Rest, reset and reconnect
We think of Wellbeing Escapes as trips that help you relax and unwind: journeys that give you the space to slow down, reconnect with nature, and restore a sense of balance. Based on that definition, many of the remote, peaceful places featured on these pages could be considered Wellbeing Escapes, even if they don’t offer a full spa menu or dedicated wellness programme.
Indeed for most travellers, they find the most restorative experiences in Africa don’t involve a spa at all. A few nights in a remote bushcamp with no Wi-Fi or mobile signal, or an indulgent lodge suite, can be as rejuvenating as any treatment. Time spent around a crackling fire, watching fireflies and listening to distant hyenas whoop, or looking up at a star-filled sky, brings heartfelt joy and put modern life into perspective.
On safari, you’re more likely to find a single, beautiful treatment room tucked away at a glorious viewpoint or a quiet yoga session on a tree-shaded deck. A few lodges have small, air-conditioned gyms; many more offer in-room massage, using organic local oils. An afternoon massage in the shade of an ancient mahogany will likely beat the polished marble and mood lighting of even the prettiest day spa.
That said, some of our hotels and luxury lodges, especially those in cities or on tropical private islands, have world-class spa and gym facilities, and make for an indulgent treat after time on safari.
So whether you’re drawn to the idea of aromatherapy on your veranda, beachfront yoga or just want to switch off and take a deep breath, we can help build a trip that includes space for rest, reflection and calm, in whichever form that takes for you.
The Ultimate Wellbeing Escapes Collection
Our most recent reviews of wellbeing in Africa
Detailed, un-edited reviews from our Africa travellers whose trips we tailored towards wellbeing. Click below to read the traveller's full review, and see all the reviews of our Africa holidays here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The Guide to Wellbeing Escapes in Africa
Where are Africa’s best wellbeing retreats?
Here’s our curated selection of ten of the very best wellbeing retreats on the continent; we’d book a treatment at any of them in a heartbeat!
1. Nyungwe House, Rwanda
Perched amid tea-plantations and jungle trees on the edge of Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest National Park, this beautiful lodge offers an immersive spa experience deeply tied to its natural surroundings. Treatments take place in a forest-fringed setting, using essential oils and ingredients from the surrounding landscape. Deliciously-scented herbal poultice are prepared with all-African produce: baobab seeds, eucalyptus, coffee and coconut. Book a massage which uses warm botanical compresses to ease tension or perhaps the Rwandan coffee and mint detox wrap. And between treatments, you can relax on the forest swings and dip into the canopy-level infinity pool. There’s guided poolside yoga, meditation settings in impossibly green and glorious settings, walks and cycle tracks, and an on-site ‘wellness expert’ to help you plan your time.
2. Saruni Mara, Kenya
Tucked into the wooded hillside of the Mara North Conservancy, Saruni Mara’s Wellbeing Space offers ancient healing traditions in serene open-sided tents, or in the privacy of your own veranda. Using locally sourced ingredients and techniques passed down through Samburu and Maasai communities, treatments blend ancient local tradition with Western are holistic and grounded: try the Olsinoni Detox, where fragrant lemon bush leaves are used for their cleansing properties. Enjoy your treatment with sweeping savannah views, and follow it with a meditative bush walk, reflective time in Saruni’s shaded library or a quiet conversation with one of Saruni’s resident guides, many of whom are Samburu elders. The perfect respite between game drives and walks.
3. Royal Livingstone Hotel, Zambia
Tucked under riverine trees on the banks of the Zambezi, just upstream from Victoria Falls, the professional Anantara Spa at Royal Livingstone is a calm retreat far from the adrenaline activities at the Falls. Spa treatments take place in three open-sided gazebos overlooking the water, with signature therapies using warm herbal poultices, fragrant oils infused with ginger, lemon, cinnamon and rose, and rhythmic local massage techniques alongside Ayurvedic treatments. Try the Baobab Body Wrap for hydrating sun-kissed skin, or indulge in the signature Ncwala Blessing Ritual: a cooling scalp treatment, traditional Zambian body massage, and pressure-point foot massage.
Between treatments, you can stroll through the manicured gardens past grazing zebra and impala for a swim in the river-view pool, or simply sit back and take in the lovely scene. There’s also a teen-friendly spa menu of massage and glowing facials, riverside yoga sessions on the sundeck, and a spacious relaxation lounge.
4. Mara Bushtops, Kenya
Consistently recognised as one of Africa’s top safari spas, Mara Bushtops is home to the award-winning Amani Spa, a luxurious wellness retreat with panoramic views of a salt lick often frequented by wildlife. The spa includes a heated infinity pool with water jets and submerged pebble loungers (not to mention the underwater constellation lights for after-dark swims), a jacuzzi, sauna, Rasul steam room for mud cleansing rituals, and both enclosed and open-air treatment spaces.
Choose from a wide menu of therapies using Terres d’Afrique organic skincare, with options including hot stone massages, reflexology, and deep-cleansing facials. Signature treatments include the Kurhula Ritual - a 90-minute, coconut-balm massage followed by a mini facial - and the Jewel of Africa Massage, which uses timber warrior sticks for firm, sweeping pressure. For something more conventional and restorative, the 30-minute head and shoulder massage is ideal relaxation after a long game drive or flight. If you’re after more action, there’s cardio equipment and weights in the gym.
5. Babylonstoren, South Africa
In the glorious Cape Winelands, Babylonstoren is more than a working farm, it’s a feast for the senses, and nowhere more so than in its immaculate Garden Spa. Surrounded by orchards and herb gardens, the spa offers a steam room scented with citrus, a salt room, a hammam, and a heated vitality pool. Treatments often use botanicals from the farm itself. Try the coconut and wild honey scrub, followed by a soak in the fragrant steam, a heated bamboo massage, or explore the Scent Room where you can blend your own beauty products. The atmosphere is elegant and quietly joyful, and the natural setting does half the work before your treatment even begins: it’s fabulous here.
6. Royal Zambezi Lodge, Zambia
Just outside Lower Zambezi National Park, Royal Zambezi Lodge’s small spa is open-sided and open-hearted: a calm, thatched retreat where elephants may stroll by on the Zambezi riverbank as you lie back for a massage. Treatments take place just metres from the water and focus on releasing tension and encouraging deep rest. The Royal Signature Massage is a favourite: a full-body therapy using warm oils and flowing pressure to relax muscles and reset the body after travel or time on foot. It’s simple, atmospheric, and just what you want after a few days in the bush.
7. Mount Nelson Hotel, South Africa
Right in the heart of Cape Town, the Librisa Spa at the famous Mount Nelson Hotel offers a haven of calm inside a series of historic Victorian buildings. The spa features a Finnish sauna, steam room, tranquil conservatory, and an extensive menu of treatments using natural oils. The standout is the African Wood Massage: a full-body therapy that uses warm wooden tools to apply deep, rolling pressure that’s surprisingly effective at easing tight muscles post-safari or long-haul flight. It’s a polished and highly professional experience, perfectly paired with Mount Nelson’s signature afternoon tea just down the hall.
8. North Island, Seychelles
Set on a totally tropical island fringed by sandy shores and coral reefs, North Island offers barefoot luxury with a deep focus on personalised wellbeing. The spa pavilion is perched on granite boulders, looking out over the Indian Ocean, but treatments can also be delivered in your villa, surrounded by lush gardens with only the occasional giant tortoises passing by and waves lapping nearby.
Every session begins with the ‘barefoot ritual’, a gentle foot soak and scrub using island salts and local herbs, designed to ground and calm and remove the sand. Signature therapies include the Coconut & Vanilla Body Polish, blending fresh island coconut and natural oils into a skin-softening scrub, leaving you delicately scented and nourished. There’s also morning yoga sessions, guided meditation, and a well-equipped gym shaded by palms. North Island combines sensory indulgence with island simplicity: a rarefied, restorative place where wellbeing is woven into every barefoot step.
9. Angama Mara, Kenya
On the edge of the Oloololo Escarpment, Angama Mara enjoys one of the most breath-taking views in Africa: an elevated panorama across the vast, wildlife-rich Mara Triangle plains. There’s no formal spa building here, instead, wellness is delivered in the most personal of ways: indulgent massages on your private deck or in your tent with the canvas sides rolled up to let in the breeze and afford uninterrupted views.
Treatments are tailored to each guest, whether you need to unwind after a long flight or ease tension from a bumpy game drive. Options include full-body massages, reflexology, and focused neck-and-shoulder sessions, all carried out by experienced therapists using natural oils. Each treatment is unhurried, quiet, and deeply restorative.
With sunrise stretching sessions, a 20-metre rim-flow pool, and peaceful decks for yoga or quiet contemplation, Angama’s wellness offering continues beyond the massage table. And for those whose wellbeing improves with activity, there’s a spectacular view form the fan-cooled gym and marvellous Run with a Kenyan experience to train with some of the world’s best long-distance runners.
10. Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
At the edge of Namibia’s otherworldly dunes, Sossusvlei Desert Lodge pairs dramatic desert landscapes with serene, stargazing solitude. The spa is a glass-walled sanctuary facing out over the Namib’s rippling red sands and mountains, where absolute silence is part of the experience.
Their signature Nama Calabash Massage uses gently warmed calabash gourds and local desert oils to deliver long, sweeping strokes to encourage deep relaxation. Other options include refreshing foot massages, facials with botanical ingredients, and classic therapies adapted to suit the desert climate. After a treatment, recline with a tea in the quiet lounge, watch oryx pass by, or gaze up at Namibia’s famously clear, star-laced skies. This is wellness designed for space, silence and perspective.
Do I need to book spa treatments in advance?
Are African spa treatments similar to those in Asia or Europe?
Is there time for spa treatments on a busy safari?
Safari days typically start early, with guests returning mid-morning for breakfast and free time before heading out again in the late afternoon. Many find this midday pause ideal for wellness activities: a way to counterbalance early mornings and long drives, keeping the pace relaxed and enjoyable.
For even deeper relaxation, it’s worth considering ending your trip with a beach retreat or stay in the Cape Winelands, where you can enjoy late starts, leisurely spa sessions, and a slower rhythm.
Africa's best camps & lodges for Wellbeing Escapes
In need of a marula-infused massage in the seafront treehouse at Azura Benguerra in Mozambique, or a dune-view Healing Earth ritual at Sossusvlei Desert Lodge in Namibia? Or perhaps you’d like to take in the sweeping Serengeti views from Namiri Plains' lovely spa tent? We know the perfect camps to unwind.
For full-service spas, check in to the award-winning Librisa Spa at Cape Town’s elegant Mount Nelson Hotel , or head to the gorgeous, palm-fringed Seychelles islands of Mahé and Desroches for beachfront serenity, with open-air massage pavilions, experienced therapists and wide-ranging spa menus.
On safari, whilst wellness often takes subtler forms, massage treatments, gyms and yoga are also available: enjoy the glass-fronted massage sala and air-conditioned gym at Lolebezi ; relax with a riverfront massage at bush-chic Chinzombo ; or try a rejuvenating treatment based on Samburu healing traditions at Saruni Samburu .
We’ve selected the best African camps and lodges for Wellbeing Escapes, from luxury spas to remote retreats offering space, calm, and care.
Beho Beho
With the laid-back pace at Beho Beho and the private plunge pools in the rooms this is an ideal lodge for relaxation and wellbeing.
Victoria Falls Hotel
Victoria Falls may be the adrenalin capital of Zimbabwe, but you can take things a little slower at the Victoria Falls Hotel. Keep yourself fit with a large swimming pool, tennis courts and a gym, or try out the small spa, perfect for a little overindulgence.
Pole Pole
Pole Pole has good, but very low-key massages and treatments, offered in a tiny, laid-back 'spa' on the beach. This isn't the place for high-end therapies, but for a relaxing massage in a great location, it's a really good bet!
Grootberg Lodge
With its stunning location and views along with an on-site spa offering a range of treatments and massages, we think that this would be a great choice for a relaxing and rejuvenating stay in the area.
Strand Hotel
The Strand Hotel is one of the largest and most luxurious in Swakopmund. With facilities that include a gym and a spa, it is perfect for keeping fit or for a relaxing break on your holiday to Namibia.
Little Kulala
The remote, unspoilt wilderness of the Namib Desert is the perfect place for self-reflections and relaxation but to really unwind why not enjoy a treatment or two from the Little Kulala Spa.
Serena Inn
There is a small spa at the Serena, which can provide the usual range of beauty treatments that you would expect from an international hotel. With a beautiful swimming pool, a stay here makes for a relaxing start to your holiday in Zanzibar.
Vineyard Hotel
The Angsana Spa is part of the international Banyan Tree group (probably the best spa group in the world) and their Thai therapists have all been trained in the Far East and offer a wellbeing experience in South Africa not to be missed.
Weinberg Hotel
The range of treatments and facilities at estate’s Soulstice Spa is exceptional, from flotation therapy to a rasul chamber and an outdoor pool with a jet pool. For all-round pampering on a Namibia holiday, this would be a great option.
Amalinda Lodge
For travellers looking to relax and unwind it doesn’t get much better than Amalinda Lodge. Luxurious rooms and an in-house spa and sauna against the unique setting of Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills make this a fantastic place to spoil yourself.
Onguma The Fort
Enjoy some holistic papering with treatments from Onguma the Fort's resident therapist, the perfect way to relax and unwind between safari activities on you Namibian trip.
GocheGanas
Gocheganas Lodge & Spa offers a wide choice of spa and beauty treatments at the Gocheganas Wellness Village. Facilities include a heated indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a granite cave sauna, yoga sessions, facial and beauty treatments and a fruit and juice bar.
Nxabega Tented Camp
For a bit of pampering in Botswana, Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp offers a range of massage options. These can be requested and paid for whilst at the camp and may be done either in the massage sala or in the privacy of your tented chalet.
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge
Nestled in the stunning surroundings of the NamibRand Reserve, the opulent Sossusvlei Desert Lodge is the perfect place to spoil yourself. A gym, pool and treatment room make this one of Namibia’s ultimate desert retreats.
Breezes Beach Club
Breezes Beach Club has one of the finest spas on Zanzibar – the Fragipani Spa. There is an international team of trained therapists offering a wide variety of treatments such as facials, massages and hand & foot treatments.
Fumba Beach Lodge
At Fumba the Baobab Spa is well-stocked with beauty products. On the roof there are comfy sofas and more treatment tables. The highlight, a Jacuzzi built on a decking in the higher branches of the tree, is a lovely place to relax.
Vumbura Plains
Vumbura Plains offers in room yoga mats, skipping ropes and small free weights. Coupled with an in-house masseuse and private plunge pools for each room and this is a wonderful place for some rest and relaxation on your Botswana safari.
Shooting Star Lodge
The beach-side spa at Shooting Star Lodge offers a variety of pampering treatments, with massages from $25, to full seaweed body wraps at $60. Pedicures, manicures and waxing treatments are also on offer, resulting in a very relaxing stay.
Chole Mjini
Chole Mjini is a peaceful haven that works closely with the local community. Surrounded by nature, birds and stars, it is soul food if you're looking for something that is eco-conscious.
Saruni Samburu
If fresh air is good for the soul, you’ll feel rejuvenated after a stay here. Set atop a rocky inselberg, it’s the perfect spot to unwind, with two inviting pools with panoramic vistas. Visit the luxury spa for further pampering.
Crater Lodge
With your own personal butler, crystal chandeliers, claw-foot bathtubs and roses adorning most of the rooms, Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is an incredibly special lodge for relaxing in Tanzania. Massages can be done in your room.
Sarara
With its famous infinity pool overlooking the sweeping plains below and a dramatic mountainous backdrop on the horizon, Sarara is a memorably located and luxurious base from which to enjoy your safari in great comfort.
Kilindi
Kilindi invokes a great feeling of relaxation upon arrival and is a place to truly unwind. This is helped by the fantastic onsite spa which offers a wide range of treatments including double massages - designed especially for couples.
Mfuwe Lodge
Unusually for South Luangwa, Mfuwe Lodge has a spa offering a range of treatments such as massages, manicures, facials and hydrotherapy treatments, allowing you to pamper yourself while on safari.
Zarafa Camp
As you might expect from such a luxurious camp Zarafa Camp offers a range of in room massages and treatments as well an open air gym and private plunge pools in each room, perfect for some rest and relaxation on your Botswana safari.
El Karama Lodge
From the river-side bush spa to the well-equipped bush gym and healthy, fresh, and local produce, there are many ways to enjoy a wellness experience at El Karama. Sunrise or sunset yoga can also be arranged out in the bush with local instructors.
Azura Benguerra
The spa at Azura offers high-quality treatments in a cool and relaxing treatment room looking out over the sea. The lodge employs a professional therapist, who offers body rubs, body wraps, a variety of massage treatments and aromatherapy baths.
Baraza Resort & Spa
Baraza has an extensive spa, including an impressive Sultan’s bath where couples can enjoy a double relaxation treatment. There is a wide range of other treatments and sunrise yoga is held daily. A tennis court and fitness centre are also available.
Omaanda
A picturesque infinity pool and a spa offering treatments aided by aromatherapy oils make Omaanda the perfect place to relax and unwind at the beginning or end of your Namibian adventure.
Chinzombo
The villas at Chinzombo all have their own private plunge pool, and a range of quality spa treatments is available in the privacy of your own room. Offering massages, manicures and facials, the spa employs local people but is run to international standards.
Mombo Camp
With a lap pool, surprisingly extensive bush gym and a range of spa and massage treatments available both in your room and a treatment room, Mombo Camp is a fantastic spot for some papering on your Botswana safari.
Mnemba Island Lodge
The peace and serenity of Mnemba Island Lodge provide an idyllic setting for a very relaxing beach retreat. Try yoga on the beach, take a dip in the Indian Ocean and unwind with a massage in the privacy of your own beautiful beach villa.
Kinasi Lodge
For a small beach lodge, Kinasi has an impressive spa, run by two professional therapists from Thailand. There are several different treatment rooms and a large, tiled Turkish Bath.
Ephelia Resort
At Ephelia Resort’s ‘Spa Village’, several treatment rooms, a sauna/steam room, a Jacuzzi and a yoga pavilion hidden in lush gardens await travellers for wellbeing breaks. In a ‘Spa Villa’, you even have your own Jacuzzi, and therapists come to your private treatment room.
Ibo Island Lodge
With a permanent resident massage therapist on hand you can enjoy various treatments in the privacy of your own room, or even tucked away in the in a secluded part of the garden. Alternatively there is a treatment room in the Niassa mansion.
Divava Lodge & Spa
Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa has a wellness spa with a sauna, steam room and treatment rooms, making it a good choice for a spa holiday in Namibia.
Sirikoi
With more than 70 staff to look after you, and sumptuously furnished tented rooms, it’s easy to feel spoiled at Sirikoi. The décor strikes a welcome balance of comfort and intimacy, making this a high-quality retreat to truly unwind in.
White Sand Villas
White Sand Villas has a beautiful spa offering a range of therapies using locally sourced products. Set by a tranquil waterfall and with its own sauna and steam room, this is a great place to relax and unwind in Zanzibar.
Jao Camp
The Jao Spa has single and double treatment rooms offering a vast array of pampering experiences – massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and so on. For some serious indulgence in Botswana, add this to your list.
Sala's Camp
This small, luxury tented camp is located in the far south of the Maasai Mara reserve, an area which is generally quieter for game-viewing than elsewhere. Beautiful views, spacious tents, a gym and spa contribute to the camp’s pampering atmosphere.
The Palms
The rooms at The Palms each have their own private outdoor plunge pool as well as the Sanctuary Spa which offers a variety of massages and treatments. For a broader range of therapies head over to the enormous spa at Breezes Beach Club.
Solio Lodge
The 6 well-spaced, east-facing cottages provide privacy and stunning sunrise views of Mount Kenya, while the graceful design, ample natural light and glass showers overlooking personal gardens create an ambience suitable for this luxury retreat.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Built atop a hill with picturesque views of Lake Kariba, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge boasts an impressive infinity pool, gym and spa. It’s a great place to slow down, relax and indulge yourself on a Zimbabwe safari.
Mbalageti Lodge
Mbalageti is one of the few lodges in the Serengeti which has a small spa area offering massages – which was being renovated when we last visited. This has two massage tables with a dedicated plunge pool – and a dedicated massage professional is employed.
Essque Zalu Zanzibar
Essque Zalu has a large spa with a number of different treatment rooms as well as a steam room, a sauna and a gym. A range of traditional and modern treatments are available. Essque Zalu would be great choice for an indulgent beach retreat.
Le Mirage Lodge
Le Mirage Resort and Spa offers a wide range of treatments and therapies, from massages and wraps to hydrotherapy and beauty treatments. Facilities also include a large pool and steam room. Combine a stay here with a visit to the iconic dunes of Sossusvlei
Sankara
The Sankara has the first Angsana Spa in East Africa and offers the first rain-mist rooms in Kenya, therapy and treatment rooms using natural ingredients, plenty of chill-out and contemplation areas and highly trained staff. It’s open daily from 8.00am to 9.00pm.
Twelve Apostles
The extensive Spa at the Twelve Apostles near Cape Town offers a full spectrum of treatments, pools and therapies. It’s a wonderful place to pamper your body and mind.
Four Seasons Serengeti
Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti has a comprehensive spa with six treatment rooms. Trained therapists offer a variety of treatments for couples and singles including massages, facials and manicures.
Matetsi River Lodge
With a fitness centre, 25m infinity pool and on-site spa, Matetsi River Lodge is the perfect place to soak in the wilderness and treat yourself to a spot of pampering in Zimbabwe.
Tulia Zanzibar
The spa at Tulia Resort is run by Mishia and Anne, and they do a very good job of gently pummelling you into shape (or a state of deep immobility) and tending to your hands, feet, nails and face. A wide range of treatments is available.
Ishara
The wellness area at Ishara is an oasis of calm and serenity. The Aya Spa offers a curated selection of therapies, including their unique red wine soak, while they also have also an excellent gym and infinity pool. The perfect place to relax and unwind after your safari.
Swahili Beach
Swahili Beach has a very large gym and treatment centre, with six treatment rooms, a Jacuzzi, steam rooms, a hair and beauty salon and a juice bar.
Tribe
Having a heated pool is a plus in 1,700m-altitude Nairobi. There’s a small gym and the luxurious Kaya treatment centre which has a vast range of treatments (e.g. 90-minute custom massage at US$80)
North Island
North Island in the Seychelles has a top-notch Spa, set on a mountain with stunning views. It offers highly personalised treatments incorporating local products and the ‘Dr. Hauschka’ skincare range; many can also be enjoyed in the luxury of your own private villa.
Wellbeing Escapes across Africa
Visit Africa’s most restful and revitalising destinations. While you won’t find full-scale wellness resorts on every corner, many of the continent’s finest camps and lodges offer something quietly restorative: open-air yoga decks with sweeping views, professional massage therapists using local organic oils, and a long soak in a claw-foot bath in the company of passing elephants.
Discover city hotels with elegant spas, island retreats with professional wellness programmes, and remote safari camps where you can simply disconnect and recharge. Our Wellbeing Escapes collections bring together the very finest places to relax and reset across Africa.
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