UNTAMED MEN'S RETREAT
A 6-day men's retreat in the wilds of Namibia, where modern warriors shed their armor, awaken their untamed strength and return home transformed.
When: 6-11 March 2026
Where: Nambwa Tented Lodge, Bwabwata National Park
Price: R49,999 per person sharing +30% single supplement
USD $3,999 available for international guests
⚡ Only 15 spots available
“This retreat is a call to awaken the adventurer, healer and leader within. Surrender to the wisdom of life, shed old layers and step into the man you’re destined to be.”
Brett Shuttleworth
At some point, many men forget what it feels like to be fully alive. We carry the weight of responsibility. We push through. We armor up.
Yet, somewhere in the noise of holding it all together the fire inside grows quiet and a question whispers…
“Is this all there is?”
This retreat is an invitation to lay that armor down. To step away from the world’s demands and into the wild; where the land itself becomes a mirror. Where silence speaks louder than the noise and strength is no longer something you perform… it’s something you remember.
Over five powerful days in Namibia’s untamed wilderness, you’ll gather around sacred fire, breathe deeply, sweat through old stories and awaken in ways most men never allow themselves to.
This isn’t another self-improvement course.
It’s a threshold - a chance to lay down the weight. To return to the fire at the centre of your being. To be witnessed, challenged and met as the man you truly are. A homecoming. A return to the part of you that has always been strong, clear and alive.
If something in you knows it’s time - this is the place.
WHAT YOU'LL EXPERIENCE
This isn’t a retreat where you watch change happen. It’s a journey you live with your whole body - breath, bone and fire.
Over 6 immersive days in Namibia’s untamed wildness, every moment is designed to strip away the noise, reconnect you to your strength and remind you what it feels like to be fully alive.

Sacred Sweat Lodge Ceremony
Enter the ancient heat, let go of what no longer serves and feel your body and mind soften into presence. A powerful ritual of release and renewal.

Breathwork & Embodiment
Daily breathwork and grounding practices that quiet the mind, regulate the nervous system and anchor you back into your body’s truth.
Hojo Sword Training
Guided by experienced facilitators, this meditative form of Japanese swordsmanship brings clarity, precision and power through movement.
Wilderness Immersion
Game drives, bush walks and boat cruise where the land itself becomes your teacher. Here, silence is not empty, it’s full.

Fire Circles & Brotherhood
Around the sacred fire, stories are spoken, masks are dropped and real brotherhood is forged. This is where connection lives.

Creative Expression & Reflection
Space to move, create, write or simply be. To integrate the wild clarity that emerges and bring it home with you.
Every part of this experience is intentional.
You won’t leave as someone new. You’ll leave as the man you’ve always been. Fully Awake.

Where You'll Stay
A Magical Treetop Tented Suite
Our 10 luxurious tented suites at Nambwa Tented Lodge in the Bwabwata National Park in the Zambezi Region of Namibia are nestled high among the tree canopies, allowing elephants and other wildlife to roam freely underneath. These beautiful suites emanate a sense of serenity and allow us each some privacy and comfort for the duration of our time together.
WHAT MAKES NAMBWA EXTRAORDINARY?
You won’t feel like a guest in nature. You’ll become part of it.
The wide layout and elevated design ensures privacy, stillness and peaceful nights.
The juxtaposition of luxury + wilderness nurtures trust: you know you’re safe, yet untamed.
Waking to silence, starlight and nature primes your nervous system for deep inner work.
This accommodation is more than “where you sleep”. It’s a vessel for your transformation
Exclusive & Secluded
With only 10 spacious tented suites, your retreat won’t feel crowded. It will feel sacred.
Treetop Living Among Wildlife
Elevated wooden walkways ensure you tread lightly on the land. Below and around you, elephants, buffalo and plains game roam freely.
Generous Space & Comfort
Each suite spans 112 square metres with a private lounge, en-suite bathroom and full opening walls to bring the outdoors in.
Private Decks & Views
Step out onto your deck each morning. Watch the floodplain awaken. Sip coffee or tea delivered to your tent as dawn breaks.
Design that Honors the Land
Natural, calming decor, mosquito nets, biodegradable amenities and safe storage strikes the balance between comfort and ecological respect.
Gathering Spaces with Presence
The lodge’s heart is its majestic deck; open-sky dining, panoramic views and the chance to spot wildlife right from the lodge grounds.
Wildlife at Your Doorstep
Some days, you won’t need to go on a game drive. Animals often drift under your deck or through camp, offering powerful encounters from safety and quiet presence.
Curated Dining Experiences
Imagine a bush dinner on a private island with a symphony of night sounds meeting the crackling of a warming fire. Imagine sundowners with no fences between you and the hippos.
MEET YOUR FACILITATORS
This retreat isn’t just held by a place.
It’s held by men who’ve walked through the fire themselves, and returned with the tools to guide others through it too.
Brett Shuttleworth
The Visionary Guide
Former rugby player, international model, Hollywood actor and founder of Smiling Souls Retreats, Brett has spent over a decade helping men rediscover the strength and clarity they thought they’d lost.
His facilitation blends ancient wisdom and embodied practice; breath, sweat, stillness and wild honesty. Brett’s gift lies in creating spaces where walls fall away and truth has room to breathe.
Joe van Niekerk
The Warrior Healer
Once a celebrated Springbok rugby player, Joe walked away from the spotlight to follow a deeper calling.
Today, he leads men through transformational experiences that bridge strength with softness, fire with presence and performance with purpose. His own journey from global sports fame to spiritual leadership gives him a rare ability to hold space with power, humility and heart.
Together, Brett and Joe bring deep experience, grounded leadership and embodied truth.
They don’t just teach the work, they live it. And they’ll hold the fire beside you every step of the way.
YOUR RETREAT BEGINS THE MOMENT YOU LAND IN AFRICA
We'll make sure every step feels effortless.

STEP 1: FLIGHTS
Our international guests can fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town and then connect to one of the following airports:
Once your flight is booked, we'll coordinate air charter and road transfers directly to Nambwa Tented Lodge.

STEP 2: LODGE TRANSFERS
Based on your final airport destination, our team will provide a simple travel plan with clear pickup details and timing.

STEP 3: WHAT TO PACK
Lightweight, breathable clothing in natural tones.
A good hat, sunscreen, insect repellent and a sense of adventure.
TRAVEL SUPPORT
Dedicated team to assist with travel questions and arrangements
Visa guidance and assistance
Airport meet & greet
24/7 on-ground support throughout your journey
YOUR RETREAT TICKET INCLUDES:
6 days at Nambwa Tented Lodge
All meals & wild-bush dining
Sweat lodge ceremony
Breathwork & sword training
Game drives, walks & boat cruises
Fire circles & guided sessions
Transformational workshops
Travel coordination & support
From touchdown to treetops - we've got you.
All you need to do is arrive. We'll take care of the rest.
THE PROOF IS IN THE PEOPLE
Thank you for looking after my boys - they came back refreshed, grounded, aligned, and bonded. This experience was good for their relationship. Sending love & light to all - Namaste.
Joanne
Magic from day one all the way to departure. Although departures and endings are sad, they are followed by new beginnings.
Johan
It WILL change your life forever. It will make you truly happy again, just like it has for the group I was with. There's nothing more to say.
Jose
TAKE THE NEXT STEP
If something in you knows it’s time…
Don’t wait for the moment to pass.
BOOK YOUR RETREAT TICKET
We keep this experience intimate on purpose - only 15 spots are available for this retreat.
Once they’re filled, we close the circle.
DETAILS
When: 6-11 March 2026
Where: Nambwa Tented Lodge, Bwabwata National Park
Price: R49,999 per person sharing +30% single supplement
USD $3,999 available for international guests
⚡ Only 15 spots available
Local Rates
6-11 March 2026
ZAR 49,999 per Person Sharing
30% Single Supplement on Sharing Rate for Single Accommodation

International Rates
6-11 March 2026
US $3,999 per Person Sharing
30% Single Supplement on Sharing Rate for Single Accommodation

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? LET'S TALK
Not everyone is ready to book with just a few clicks.
If this retreat stirs something in you, but you want clarity, reassurance or personal guidance before committing - let’s talk.
Schedule a 30-minute call with our team and we’ll walk you through the travel, the experience and the details that matter to you.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Why should I invest 5 days in this retreat?
Because if you don't discover your true nature in this lifetime, in our humble opinion, you have wasted your life. Don’t settle for playing small when you could unlock your limitless power. This is your chance to discover the unborn greatness awaiting you.
I've tried therapy, coaching, and self-help. How is this different?
Most approaches try to fix you. We help you see that you were never broken. Every wound, every struggle, every time you felt lost wasn't a misstep. These moments were preparing you for the realisation that your current incarnation, with all its seeming limitations, is actually the perfect blueprint for your complete liberation. We guide you back to your true essence behind your thinking and feeling.
Do I need prior experience in survival skills or Hojo swords?
Not at all. All activities, from the breathing exercises to Hojo sword training, are guided by experienced facilitators. You’ll learn at your own pace, and no previous experience is required.
Is the sweat lodge safe for people with high blood pressure or other medical conditions?
The sweat lodge is a powerful ceremony intended to honour both your spirit and your physical body. If you have high blood pressure, a heart condition, respiratory challenges, diabetes or any other medical concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider before participating.
Your wellbeing is our highest priority, so if we request medical clearance for certain conditions, this is not to exclude you. Rather we want to ensure this sacred experience truly serves you. Please share your health needs with our facilitators so we can explore appropriate modifications or alternative paths to transformation that are a better fit for you.
DISCLAIMER
The sweat lodge is a traditional spiritual practice and sacred ceremony; it's not a substitute for professional medical care. Participation is a conscious choice you make for yourself.
We encourage you to listen deeply to your body's wisdom and always consult with your healthcare provider if you have any medical concerns so that you can safely undertake this transformative experience.
Remember, there's no right or wrong choice here, only what benefits your highest good in this moment.
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