A Wild Ride Through Gambia:
Reflections on Two Unforgettable Retreats
Wow, what a journey through the “wild” Gambia! Here’s a quick mental recap and lingering affection for the two retreats that just wrapped up.
Two Retreats, Two Vibes
The first group in early December dubbed themselves the quietest bunch. They cherry-picked exactly what they needed from our abundant offerings, surrendering deeply to the wisdom that it’s perfectly right to rest when you crave rest, explore when adventure calls, or dive into activities when the energy flows. Everyone was cared for, and the greatest gift we gave each other was raw honesty—prioritizing our own energy first.
The second group, spanning Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays, and the festival kickoff, surprised me with their insatiable love for everything. Our eldest participants danced the longest on the floors and lingered by the fire under starry skies, chatting, singing, and laughing late into the night. Meanwhile, the younger ones eventually slipped off to bed.
My takeaway? It’s all for those deep smiles lighting up faces, the inner child bursting free—whether in pure joy for life, the explorer’s thrill, the dancer’s rhythm, the surfer’s wave-chasing spirit, or that total surrender. As always, exactly the right people meet, blend into a group, and evolve into a true travel family. Seeing hearts blossom and true abundance settle in, embracing life’s fullness, fills me with immense joy. Even amid heavy life circumstances, lightness, sharing, and the raw expression of being alive always find space—and get cultivated to be taken back in the maybe more gray everyday at home.
latest Gambia Retreat vibes – get goosebumps
- First video: feel the Christmas and New Year’s retreat that culminated in the yearly famous Mama Limbo Culture Festival.
- Second video: Dive into the vibes and culture of our special evenings in the Gambia
- 3rd video. Jaliyankuba Conteh and his sons, the Conteh Kunda Band, giving us the chills. One of the most amazing life music concerts we were allowed to experience during our Yoga, drum, dance, culture and sound healing retreats in the Gambia.
Morning Magic and Radical Acceptance
I get goosebumps every time we gather at dawn during retreats, walking silently barefoot through a bird-filled nature paradise to our yoga spot by the sea. Starting the day so mindfully—truly tuning in, feeling small yet part of nature’s vast wonder—is a profound group gift.
In the second retreat, some participants grappled with physical limitations they’d have wished away. But simply being with what is—accepting it with love instead of harsh judgment or “I wish it were different”—led to breakthroughs and theme resolutions for several.
I know that I know nothing, and each of us carries our own answers, solutions, truths, and clarity within. It brings me such joy to simply hold space for what is, what unfolds.
Gambia’s white sand beaches, with cows wandering by, pelicans gliding overhead, and tiny colorful birds flitting about? A dream I never tire of. Practicing yoga undisturbed with ocean views, breathing fresh air under palms—what more could you want?
Early December made post-yoga sea plunges effortless. By late December, we waited for the midday sun to swim, savoring cooler breezes all day instead.
Drums, Dance, and Heart-Opening Expression
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Dancing and drumming are magical ways to switch off the head and fire up the heart. As always, we had first-timers holding drums for the first time alongside music teachers and pros, all swept up in the djembe’s infectious group rhythm.
We weren’t in a hotel—we stayed in a community project. Everyone at Mama Limbo works to create opportunities and support for all of Sanyang village. No one has formal tourism or service training, yet they give their absolute best. It’s thrilling to watch Mama Limbo members grow through hungry exchanges with participants, just as guests learn to voice needs repeatedly and release comfort demands that aren’t as crucial as assumed.
This place challenges me to unite everyone under one roof, but it’s my favorite spot to learn community, celebrate cultural mash-ups, and realize we’re all one—gaining so much from each other.
Christmas and New Year’s in Gambia: Celebrating Our Way!
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What was it like spending Christmas and New Year’s in Gambia? In Gambia, they celebrate everything that can be celebrated!
Christmas wasn’t your typical tree-under affair, but it was deeply reflective, familial, and joyful in its own way. Picture a bonfire under a baobab tree, hot baobab juice spiced with cinnamon (remarkably close to mulled child punch). On St. Nicholas Day, my sister—who joined the retreat—surprised everyone with speculoos cookies and gingerbread. Chris and Claudia decked out the bushes with string lights. Far from our cultural bubble, we made it cozy exactly how we loved it.
New Year’s is a nationwide party in Gambia! There was even midnight fireworks on the beach. We danced around the bonfire to live music, toasted at midnight, devoured cake—and those who wanted kept the night going at the DJ in the beach bar next door. I was happily in bed by 1 a.m. :)
Gratitude
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Every retreat supports the local community 100 % , creates jobs, and funds the further expansion of the Mama Limbo project, which assists local orphans in Sanyang, the community hospital, and the women’s garden in Sanyang.
The first retreat group has restocked the hospital with medications, repaired the ambulance, financed new school tables and benches and continues to support Mama Limbo in achieving self-sufficiency.
The second retreat group is currently procuring an oxygen device for the ambulance.
We are all one. I am wholeheartedly delighted that these retreats are an exchange on equal footing, where everyone learns from and grows with each other.
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Experiencing Mama Limbo prepping for the annual culture festival and pulling off this massive event is indescribably beautiful. Jump in, help out, become part of it—like Chris and Claudia, past retreaters now core team members.
Participant Feedback
***** Daniela
Dear Lena, thank you for everything! Getting to know you and Mohamed has greatly enriched my life—it’s wonderful that you both exist ❤️
I’ve already attended a retreat in Morocco and just recently one in Gambia. These retreats not only allow you to dive deep into your soul, but also immerse you in the local culture and show you life from a completely different perspective. The workshops truly get under your skin, helping you connect with yourself on a whole new personal level. The excursions are breathtaking! The yoga—I can’t even put it into words, it’s simply phenomenal—and Mohamed’s surf lessons are highly recommended. He has vast knowledge about surfing and the ocean; you can feel his passion for this beautiful sport right away. In the water, you feel very safe with him!
In short: You simply have to experience it yourself!
A thousand thanks to both of you for this indescribably beautiful time in Morocco and Gambia! ❤️
At the beginning of the retreat, Lena told us to think of it like a buffet. She offered a variety of things, and we could take what we like and leave the rest without feeling guilty. And that’s exactly how it was.
Yoga classes in the morning, workshops on self-love, needs, and values in the late morning, drumming and dancing in the afternoon, sunset and a campfire in the evening. Lena also made time for us in between to plan trips and share experiences. Overall, it was an absolutely enriching experience that I can higly recommend.
Join the Next One?
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Curious and ready for your own Gambia magic? Check the latest retreat dates here.
Pro tip from Kebba (who flies Gambia-Germany every winter and back in spring): Book winter/spring flights during Gambia’s rainy season (June-October) for tickets often way cheaper.
