Escape into nature and nurture at Sashwa River of Stars, a soulful safari retreat in Hoedspruit where yoga, conservation, and plant-based decadence create a one-of-a-kind wellness experience, all in support of Koru Camp and empowering future conservationists.
Hoedspruit, South Africa (22 June 2025) – For two beautiful nights, Hoedspruit and the Mvuu Game Reserve became home and the backdrop of connection to nature and tranquillity. This Editor, joined by her ever-faithful safari-loving partner, was invited to spend time at the Sashwa River of Stars Retreat where safari for the soul was on the cards.
Sashwa, founded by Peter Eastwood, runs as a social enterprise, with the purpose of using the wellness and safari space, as a way to pay it forward to a cause deeply rooted in his passion for conservation. Peter founded Koru Camp in 2022 in the hope of inspiring a love for the bush, for conservation and for South Africa’s wildlife, in the youth who live in the communities surrounding the Greater Kruger. 100% of Sashwa’s profits are dedicated to making Koru a reality. The youth are given a truly magical safari experience, helping them connect to a space usually only accessed by tourists.
“The idea was to provide a tented camp for minimum 2 night stays and include the typical experience that more wealthy overseas guests experience with game drives and good food along with educational exercises and lessons.”
“We aren’t an organisation that is providing a bit of green washing by supporting a community camp with a community levy or a small percentage of profits. All our profits will go to community efforts with Koru front and centre.” – Peter Eastwood
With the recent relaunch of the camp, I was invited to tour the camp facilities to learn about the good work being done to inspire our next generation of game rangers and biodiversity conservationists. You can read all about that experience here. As an extended thanks, Peter invited us to join him, his team and close friends at Sashwa, to enjoy what the tranquil space had to offer.
What we walked into was nothing short of inspiring. Taking the regular lodge model, Peter’s hope has been to shift it from a safari experience to a wellness experience with a splash of safari life. So where one would usually wake up for a sunrise drive, one is woken for morning meditation, followed by day-enhancing yoga practice, whether in the cooled studio or on the yoga deck overlooking the Olifants River (and yes, you can watch the elephants splashing about while pulling off the perfect Warrior pose). Following on from that is a hearty plant-based breakfast to fuel the day and then ample opportunity to explore the retreat, painting in the Creative Art Studio, unwinding and detoxing in the sauna, immersing in Sound Safari or just laying poolside.
Lunch breaks up the day’s morning activities and makes way for afternoon activities, whether it’s a much-needed nap, a full body massage or prepping for sundowners after the game drive later in the day. My personal favourite was touring the Abundance Garden which caters herbs and fresh salad ingredients for the kitchen, and of course, birdwatching is a must!
While we didn’t get the chance to take part in all the activities during our stay, it was very clear that the purpose of Sashwa is to offer a space to reconnect; whether to yourself, your body, your mental wellness or your partner. Each moment is laced with holistic purpose, where wellness meets wildlife.
Adding to the wellness ethos, everything has sustainability front of mind. From locally sourced food and drinks, including wines that give back to conservation causes, to limited use of plastics and offering eco-friendly body and cleaning products as alternatives. Power for the retreat is generated at a mini-solar farm on the property and water is processed on-site too, each focusing on renewability.
Nourish, the retreat’s stunning cafe-style restaurant is where all the meals of the day are served. Trained chefs and kitchen staff from the surrounding communities have been trained by some of South Africa’s top plant-based chefs, picking up skills worthy of Michelin-star restaurants and transforming them into hearty, wholesome meals for guests. It was truly decadent and while I am keen for a “meat-free Monday” at home, I was curious about having six plant-based meals during our stay and if they would be enough. They were more than enough! We were never left craving anything, the meals were satiating and every plate was a work of art.
Peter’s hospitality and that of his staff were exceptional. Learning about how he found his love for Southern Africa (by reading Wilbar Smith as a teenager) and his pursuit of creating a safer environment for South African wildlife is heartwarming. Peter, who is a born and raised New Zealander, has chosen to retire here and invest not only in conservation efforts through Koru but also in creating a space that employs people from the surrounding communities, creating jobs and changing the lives of entire families who benefit when someone lands a job at a lodge.
It was hard not to get swept up in the excitement of it all. Surrounded by a beautiful environment, listening to passionate conversations about change and witnessing first-hand that change is being put into action for the youth of the Greater Kruger was inspiring!
I left feeling fuller. A full heart and a mind full of ideas. Being a total Krugerholic, I loved the opportunity to do it differently.
You can find out more about the retreats via the website here.
by 