
Change your viewpoint means grow your mind



African Yogi was born at the intersection of my two lifelong passions — travel and transformation.
After spending over a decade running an award-winning adventure tourism company on South Africa’s Whale Coast, I found myself drawn deeper into the practice of yoga.
What began 15 years ago as a personal journey of self-discovery grew into a way of life, shaping how I lead, live, and travel.
In 2016, I completed my 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, India — the birthplace of yoga.
I love teaching Hatha Yoga and Yoga Nidra, and I am a humble Iyengar Yoga practitioner.
Yoga taught me how to be a student for life — how to embrace discomfort, stay grounded in uncertainty, and find stillness in movement.
I saw how those same lessons echoed through my business journey, and I knew I wanted to create something that brought these worlds together.
That’s how African Yogi came to life: as a platform to share South Africa’s beauty through meaningful, balanced, and immersive travel experiences that nurture both inner and outer exploration.
Behind every African Yogi retreat is a passionate team of yogis, globetrotters, and wellness enthusiasts who believe in the power of mindful travel. We’ve practiced on mountain tops and beaches, trekked through deserts and forests, and worked with inspiring partners across Africa to bring each experience to life. Together, we blend expertise in yoga, fitness, and adventure travel to create retreats that move the body, open the mind, and restore the spirit.
This is your team - dedicated to crafting journeys that are as grounding as they are transformative.
Meet Charmaine
Charmaine is the founder of African Yogi, where her two lifelong passions travel and transformation come together.
With more than two decades in the tourism world, she has always been inspired by the way travel opens hearts and minds. Her journey into yoga began 15 years ago and led her to Rishikesh, India, where she completed her 200-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher Training.
What began as a personal search for balance evolved into a way of life, one that continues to shape how she lives, leads, and explores.
African Yogi was born from that blend: a wish to share Africa’s beauty through mindful, meaningful journeys that nurture both inner and outer exploration.It’s about slowing down, connecting deeply, and rediscovering the simple joy of being present in nature, in community, and in yourself.
For Charmaine, travel is not just about where you go, but who you become along the way.
Meet Hanna
Originally from Sweden, Hanna’s journey has taken her across continents in search of connection, movement, and a life close to nature. It was in Asia, at a small gym far from home, where she met Petré and together they envisioned a space that would bring together fitness, adventure, and community.
In 2017, they discovered the land that would become Farmhouse Fitness. After a hands-on journey of building and restoration, their dream opened its doors in 2018.
Since then, Hanna has been the steady presence ensuring every retreat flows effortlessly and every guest feels welcome and cared for. With her eye for detail and natural warmth, she creates experiences that balance structure and spontaneity, from sunrise workouts to shared meals around the fire. For her, Farmhouse Fitness is more than a destination; it’s a reflection of a life lived with purpose, balance, and joy, one where strength meets stillness and community feels like home.
Meet Marianne
Marianne discovered yoga over 20 years ago, and from the very beginning, the Iyengar method felt like home. Its precision, balance, and depth grounded her through life’s changes and taught her to find calm in stillness and strength in awareness.
What began as a personal practice soon became a calling to help others find their own quiet power through mindful movement and presence. Her approach to teaching is gentle yet precise, blending compassion with curiosity and a touch of challenge, always meeting students where they are.
Marianne brings that same mindful presence into every part of her life, whether she’s tending her garden surrounded by animals, experimenting in the kitchen, or travelling to discover new flavours, people, and places.
It’s about returning, again and again, to what is real to stillness, to awareness, to the quiet rhythm of breath. For her, yoga is not something you do; it’s the way you live, the way you see, and the way you come home to yourself.
Meet Nane
Nane is a storyteller at heart who brings journeys to life with curiosity, colour,and connection. With her vibrant, youthful energy and creative eye, she helps shape the itineraries we curate always seeking the experiences that make travel feel alive and unforgettable.
Currently studying International Tourism Management, she spends her days researching hidden gems and extraordinary experiences that we can curate for our travellers. Her love for people and places began early; at just 16, she started travelling solo,learning firsthand what turns an ordinary trip into something truly magical.
From working in hospitality in Australia to exploring marine tourism, Nane’s path has always been guided by a passion for meaningful connection. She believes travel is about more than seeing the world, it’s about feeling it. Her mission is to share that sense of wonder with every story, every image, and every journey she helps create.
Meet Petré
Originally from South Africa, Petré’s path has taken him across Asia, the Middle East, and beyond, shaping his approach to fitness, leadership, andlife. His years of working and training in diverse environments taught him initiative, discipline, and the value of leading through action.
Calm under pressure and hands-on by nature, he brings focus and integrity to everything he does.
A Certified Personal Trainer and CrossFit Level 1 Coach with more than twelve years of experience, he specialises in strength training, mobility, and performance.
His approach blends physical challenge with mental clarity,helping others build resilience and confidence through movement. When he isn’t coaching or training, you’ll find him outdoors, painting, gardening,or working on a new project.
Grounded, curious, and quietly determined, Petrélives with a sense of purpose and balance that defines the Farmhouse way of life.