Walk the rhythm of the earth – retreat for men
There is an old Masaï saying that inspired Mindful Adventure to this unique 14-day hiking and camping safari in Tanzania for men from all over the world:
Only a wise man can dance the melody of the Earth
Only a man with integrity who respects himself and others, a man that is loving, trustworthy and tolerant, will be able to enjoy his life on Earth to the max.
Trainer Bart Wiegers from the Netherlands is taking you along an adventurous ‘inner’ journey to that source that is bubbling up the beautiful potential to mankind and manhood: wisdom, love, integrity, passion, trust and companionship, originated from a deeper relaxation.
Vision Quest or male archetypes
Bart Wiegers offers besides a 6-day hike a mini Vision Quest (1 day). A Vision Quest is an intensive stay in nature: alone, without food, shelter and distraction.
Review
Raymond Zijderhand was joining in September 2018 and expressed his experience like this:
“Wow”! This adventure was like a boys dream. Nine days ago we walked as strangers into the wild nature of Africa. 7 days, 7 men, 7 missions, 7 different paths, 7 walking days. And yet we walked the same path. A path of vulnerability, development, finding yourself, discover your masculinity. Just us and the raw nature in Africa. Without wifi, without bullshit from home, without distractions. Just me and my process.
And it was magic! I have never ever experienced something like this. We went into ourselves and with each other so deeply. Everybody has found his answers. Everybody has found the key to his treasure. What beautiful mirrors we were for each other and there was so much familiarity. It felt like brotherhood”.
Really coming home
And where else then in Africa can you be challenged more? To look into your fears, to be tickled to give space to your desires and to relax into them, to experience and deepen the primal desire of hunting and to connect with your unique dance on earth.
During your trekking on an ancient Masaï trail through the magic, wild nature of Tanzania, you will be invited to say yes to the call of the wildeman and to set an irreversible step on the way back to inner kingship. You will become free from limiting convictions that have fixed your free mind in the small space that was given to you by your surroundings and environment.
Nature in Ngorongoro is breathtaking. In those surroundings, with the use of rituals, meditations, nature exercises and sharings, you will be brought in touch with the unique man that you essentially are. By connecting your refound power of life with your vulnerability, you will experience a strong feeling of brotherhood and really coming home.
Tarangire or Serengeti
After the completion of your quest, you will return to Lake Natron and finish the safari with a fantastic gamedrive in Tarangire National Park. For those who don’t want to leave Tanzania without having visited the famous Serengeti, we offer a three day extension that comes in place of Tarangire.
Bart Wiegers
I am very happy to take you along in this unique quest, that has the meaning of a transition to a new phase in your life. A transition where you will discover your old skin is not worth saving and where you will be reunited with your essential self. Your feet are making a journey on the primal continent Africa, where you will become the heroe of your own story!
When you are at the gate of the African wilderniss, you will have a clear vision of what you want to “deal with” in your life. The conscious step through the gate will ask courage to leave your old patterns behind you. Determined you are ready to release the wild man (the pure life energy) within you, to open your heart and to proceed full of self confidence, even when you encounter resistance on the way.
During rituals and inner journeys in the African nature, you will make a bond with your primal man. You will encounter both wild animals in nature and the power animals of your inner world. They remind you that yóu are the traveler, even when you don’t know where are you are or where you are going. In the nature exercises, meditations and sharings you return the old rolls, identities, convictions and habits in a symbolical way back to the earth, so new life can spring.
The rhythm of the earth
During the “medicine walks” (when you compare your inner world to the nature around you) through the overwhelming nature, we get a sight on the Mountain of God or Ol Doinyo Lengai. We start to walk the rhythm of the earth and while the old is decreasing, space grows for the new you. At the foot of the mountain you leave behind what you don’t want to carry anymore and you meet the wise man who admits you to the source of inner wisdom.
When you have released all limitations of your old identity, you accept who you have been in the past, you stand for your newly found truth and you speak your Gift to the world!
Join me on the adventurous “inner” journey to your unique primal source where your beautiful potential as human and man is rising up: wisdom, love, vulnerability, integrity, passion, confidence and companionship originate from a deeper relaxation.
Aho!
Since 2003 Bart guides Vision Quest’s and sweat lodges and (together with his partner) he gives training and individual consults to men and women.
For more information about Bart and the specially composed program for men, click here
Travel Schedule
Day 1
You will arrive on Kilimanjaro Airport in Tanzania. You will be collected by Mindful Adventure and taken to L’Oasis Meserani, just outside Arusha, where you will spend the night. L’Oasis Meserani is what we call a place with soul. It has been build in the past 18 years by Margaret, a Tanzanian woman, and it is visible how much love she has put into it. It is special that she is taking care of her vegetable garden and animals in a natural way (no pesticides and no antibiotics). She is making use of solar energy.
L’Oasis Meserani is very close to Masaï land. If you make a little walk, you will meet them. You can greet them by saying: Jambo!
Day 2
Today, after the morning program, you leave for Lake Eyasi, the place of departure for your walk through Ngorongoro Crater Highland. You will be welcomed by Gitew, who will guide you for three days through his homeland. Lake Eyasi is what we call a desolate place in the middle of nowhere.
It is the homeland of three “tribes”: Hadzabe, Datoga and Black Smith people. Black Smith have a primitive smithy and they mainly make jewelry and arrowheads for the Hadzabe tribe. Hadzabe is one of the last tribes in the world, living as bushmen, and survive with the use of hunt on small and big game (no predators).
Day 3
Today you will be picked up very early by Gitew. He will bring you to a large tree where the Hadzabe men are gathering for the hunt. One tip: bring good running shoes and make sure you are fit and enjoy that this still is existing.
In the afternoon Bart Wiegers will prepare you for your mini Vision Quest that will take place the next day.
Day 4
Bart Wiegers offers a mini Vision Quest today. You will enter the bush together with a Hadzabe Bushman to be with yourself today.
Day 5
Your first or second walking day means again a distance of around 6-7 hours. After a beautiful trip through a special and lovely landscape, you will sleep at a bush camp. You are guided by Datoga men. Also our cook is with you to provide you with his lovely meals.
Day 6
Your next walking day starts early in the morning. You will be picked up by Rama and Innocent at the road to Ngorongoro Crater. They will bring you to Campsite Olmoti, in the middle of Ngorongoro. Olmoti is a bush camp, close to a Masaï town and named after the small crater, close to the village. Here you can unwind from the hike you have made and undisturbed enjoy the evening program lead by Bart.
Day 7
In the morning you will visit the Masaï in the little village Endonyowas that is part of a chain of bomas, known under the name Nainokanoka. Mindful Adventure has made a connection to the wellfare of this village five years ago. That has created a close bond and resulted in intimate and open contact. The Masaï will welcome you as our friends. It will be a unique and unforgettable part of your safari.
This is also a place for special rituals. The Masaï will greet you and show their dance of warriors. Also they love to show their fire ceremony. Masaï are very familiar with rituals. They will greet you in their own way, but also love to to be invited together with you in a ritual of Ralph or Bart. Here you will get acquainted with your second Masaï guide Muran or Yohane, who will join you for the coming days through Ngorongoro.
After lunch you will leave from Olmoti to Bulati, where you will spend the night on one of the most beautiful places on earth. It can be cold at night, but don’t forget to open your tent and have a look at the scenery! There is a great chance you will see something very beautiful.
Day 8
The fourth or fifth day of walking will be from Bulati to Empakai Crater. You will walk over 9 hills during 3,5 hours. After arriving at the crater there is time to rest. We do recommend to descend the trail to the crater lake though rainforest area and use this environment for an inner journey.
At night you will camp on the crater rim in the wild nature.
men safari Tanzania
Day 9
You will walk for four to five hours to Akesha Campsite, close to the Masaï village Nayobi, where extra food and water will be bought. Here you can buy a soda and enjoy the view.
At night you will sleep under Akesha trees in the wild. A big fire will be made and our Masaï friends will prepare a feast for which you will be invited. And who knows, maybe you will end up around the fire with a full belly, and have an intimate conversation about what it means to be a man. For them, it will probably be the first time to be part of a sharing with western men.
Day 10
Your last walking day to Lake Natron has started. Early in the morning you will leave because of the heat you will experience down in the valley. Wear a hat or a cap. You will walk along a beautiful part of Great Rift Valley, the huge rip in the landscape of Africa. Count 6 to 7 hours. Down at the river you will be collected by the jeep and taken to a campsite. Upon arrival you can enjoy a cold beer at the edge of the desert. There is a swimming pool where you can cool down. It is even more fun to make a playful climb to the romantic waterfall of Lake Natron. The little child in you will be very happy!
Day 11
In the morning hundreds of flamingos will be waiting for you in the alcalic Lake Natron, distracting you from the stunning landscape with their snoring sounds and characteristic movements. Oldonyio Lengai can be seen high above everything. As a bald but aesthetic mass of lava rocks, it soars in the dark.
In the morning you will leave for Mto Wa Mbu, one of our favorite towns in Tanzania. Here you will arrive at a pleasant campsite with swimming pool. Here you can share your experiences and integrate and relax.
Day 12
In the morning you will leave for Mto Wa Mbu, one of our favorite towns in Tanzania. Here you will arrive at a pleasant campsite with swimming pool. Here you can share your experiences and integrate and relax. You can visit the town (bike, walk, the market, shops and terraces) or make a walk on the empty Masai plains.
Day 13 and 14
During a safari to Tanzania, a gamedrive in a Wild Park is a must. We have chosen for Tarangire National Park. You will look for zebras, wildebeests, hartebeest, giraffes, warthogs, buffalo but of course also elephants, hippos, leopards and not to forget, the many birds that can be seen along the roads. Our drivers Rama and Msafiri will make a big effort to bring you as close as possible to many beautiful and pure sceneries. At night you will sleep in Mto Wa Mbu.
For those who don’t want to leave Tanzania without having visited the famous Serengeti, we offer a three day extension that comes in place of Tarangire.
After finishing this safari together, we will drive you to Kilimanjaro Airport to fly home on day 14. It is best if you book an evening flight, then you will have the time you want. We wish you a good journey home with a load of new experiences to add to your life adventure.
Aho! and welcome again
This offer is covered by the STO Garant guarantee. You can find the conditions for this guarantee scheme on STO Garant’s website
