Akasha Mountain Retreat – Heidelberg, South Africa 

Deep within the Heidelberg mountains far from the hum of city life you will find Akasha Mountain Retreat. Encapsulated by nature and in harmony with it, Akasha is a place of serenity, peace and healing. 

Meeting Your Hosts

One cannot speak about this illustrious piece of heaven without acknowledging the hosts, Chris and Elan who live nearby on the property. I found this very settling to have someone nearby if needed for anything. We were really spoiled with the wonderful conversations had with Chris who spent time speaking with us about Akasha and teaching us about the environment, the farm and sharing stories of years gone by. This really gave the real feeling of a purposeful life, one with meaning and intent. I loved that Chris and Elan had a dream, a way of life they were not willing to budge on and that Akasha was the result of that. 

We arrived at the retreat on Friday afternoon, a very pleasant and short enough drive for us from Cape Town, the sun was still bright and we were happy to reach this sanctuary to experience something totally new for the weekend ahead. When you arrive you are completely taken aback by the magnificent mountain range that feels like a stone through away. It is bold, beautiful and totally enthralling. Beneath it lay the dam ever so inviting and waiting to be appreciated, which we would do the next day. 

COLLABORATION PARTNER: Akasha Mountain Retreat

DATE OF TRAVEL:
January 2025

OFFERING:
2 nights stay at Akasha in a fully equipped villa. Wood fired hot tub with mountain views. Private dam access with a orientation drive and guided walks are offered. *Groceries and meals can be arranged.

A Welcoming into the Retreat

Entering the home is really special: adorned with unique pieces and inspired with a Moroccan look and feel, it is a true delight to spend time here. The villa is perfect for a large family or group of friends wanting to share memories, bond and spend time together in a place, doing things that will be cherished for years to come and may even inspire a different way of life entirely. There is a main house as well as two separate cottages for privacy and space which is really unique and a sought after feature. The main house offers a wonderful entertainment area including a music room which is a great way to test and cultivate one’s creativity

On Saturday morning we did the orientation drive with Chris who took us for a short drive across the farm – we met the resident horses – there is a very special story here too which you will need to hear about for yourself when you visit. We then headed down to the dam making our way through beautiful vegetation and magnificent scenes of the dam emerged as we made our way all the way down to the dam wall. We jumped out of the vehicle and took a small walk around. We were able to drink pure mineral water straight from the source at a spring pipe which was definitely a first for us. 

It was so interesting to learn about the natural environment and dams purpose. Chris is really knowledgeable about the landscape and natural environment which was very inspiring to learn about. We learnt about Bitter Almond Hedge which has a very insightful story and something worth reading up about in the context of South African history. 

The Fifth Element

Fondly regarded as the fifth element after wind, fire, earth and air, Akasha means spirit. The element that “binds and animates” all the other elements together. When you learn this after spending time here you can completely understand why that name was chosen. It is fully representative and reflects the symbiotic relationship between Akasha Mountain Retreat and nature. The natural world is honoured here and treated with care and respect. You leave with a new appreciation for this and a deep sense of wanting to have more of it in your own life. A memorable place that totally gives you more than you would expect. 

There are so many ways in which you can enjoy your time at Akasha including: 

  • Board games 
  • Hot tub overlooking the mountain range 
  • Stargazing (weather permitting) 
  • Music room within the main house with various instruments 
  • Entertainment room with pool table 
  • Nature walks 
  • Swimming in the dam (take your own life jackets if needed)
  • Kayaking 
  • Bird Watching (there is a rich bird life population) 

A place to get off the beaten track, form a deeper connection with nature, your loved ones and yourself!

The dam emerges through the trees and lush bush from the road. A secret waiting to be discovered and a gift that does not stop giving. Drink natural spring water straight from the source when you reach the bottom. Natures gift.

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