When Women Rise

Exclusive 4-night luxury wildlife rejuvenating retreats for women

2025 Dates Open
Apply
At When Women Rise, we understand that women need time to step back from their busy lives and take care of themselves. We also know how tough transitions like motherhood, divorce, menopause as well as mental and physical health crises can be – we have been there ourselves.
We create safe spaces for women to catch their breath, rest and heal in the African bush. Experienced retreat leaders facilitate daily sessions to help you find your path, purpose and true self again so that you can engage in the world with renewed energy and focus.
So, if you are in a time of transition or just need a break we might just be what you need.
Our 4-night luxury safari retreats in a 5-star game reserve close to
Cape Town are carefully curated to leave you invigorated and pampered by the time you return home. Our program includes daily sessions of reflection and
empowerment, game drives, me-time, nature walks, star gazing, spa time and
storytelling around the fire. Our retreats are intimate with a maximum of 12 women and led by our founder Melanie Verwoerd, who has a deep understanding of and passion for empowering women.

2025 Dates Open

Apply Now

Who's it for

Learn More

Accommodation

Learn More

Our Gift to You

Learn More
We understand that for some it might take a leap of faith to leave home and travel to Africa, so feel free to reach out to us at any time. We are here for you contact us here. However, we know that once you have felt the sand of Africa under the soles of your feet, it will never leave your soul again. So, we invite you to invest in YOUR wellbeing and join us for the experience of a lifetime.
  • "I couldn’t recommend Melanie enough. She is the most phenomenal human that has held such empowering and supportive space for me! I can’t thank her enough."
    - Lauren Ellis
    Physiotherapist, South Africa
  • “I have known Melanie for over 20 years. She has a gift of being an exceptional leader, which she combines with her very natural empathy. She can truly listen and HEAR a person's story, whatever stage of their journey they may be at.”
    - Brid Walls
    Neuromuscular Therapist and Healer, Ireland

  • “Melanie’s work was instrumental in my emotional and physical recovery after a radical hysterectomy. Thank you, Melanie for being such amazing soul through my journey. May you be blessed as you continue to do this work of creating awareness, guide, help and support other women."
    - Vernie Isaacs
    Teacher, South Africa
  • “Having been part of a Women’s Circle run by Melanie for a few years, I can attest to her gentle poise, and her ability to hold difficult emotions with compassion and clarity.  She has a wisdom born of life experience and moral integrity.  Her kind manner and easy relatability combined with her love for the natural world makes her the ideal person to retreat with into the African bush.  She possesses the perfect blend of efficient competence and emotional intelligence to make a bush retreat a rich and rewarding experience.”
    - Erika Walton
    MD, South Africa
  • "Any woman who has faced a traumatic, life altering experience (and we've all had at least one) knows the pain, the grief, the anger that come with personal crisis. Melanie's work was a lifeline for me. I laughed, I cried and most of all, I left feeling inspired to continue on my own journey of healing. "
    - Denise Dixon
    Antiqua
usersleafarrow-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram