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THRIVE Mental Health Retreat

Zimbabwe

Continuing education, just not as you know it


RACE accredited: 20 hours of non-clincal learning

7  days of safari drives, boat cruises, and getting back to nature,  combined with international lecturers presenting valuable teaching on  mental health and self development in Zimbabwe.


2025


9th-15th February


2026


2026:7-8th March 2026

8th-14th March 2026



This  educational retreat costs £3,950 per person inclusive of teaching, great  food, beautiful accommodation and all safari activities. Partners and  friends can join you and enjoy the safari and social activities. Partner  tickets are £3000 all inclusive.

Project video

A  7 day continuing education retreat, set at an all inclusive 5*  lodge  in spectacular Victoria Falls National Park, Zimbabwe, Africa.


The  focus of the 20 hours of RACE accredited learning is mental health and  self-development. These are vital skills for any professional to improve  their working environment, career longevity, satisfaction and ability  to support and develop themselves and their team. The course accepts up  to 16 people at a time for an exclusive African experience.


Gone  are the days of sitting in dark lecture rooms to “clock up” hours. Step  into the sunshine and experience a lifechanging week in the wilds of  Africa that guarantees a fulfilling experience to refresh, revitalize  and alter your perspective on life.


Not sure what this will look like? Maybe this will help: THRIVE Blog.

The education is a mixture of:

  1. Enneagram - discover your core motivations and how you relate to others

  2. Team practicals and workshops

  3. Dynamic group discussion

  4. Lectures

  5. Thrive missions: activities including safari drives, boat cruises and waterfall tour,  to explore the African wilderness


Imagine  a lecture space where giraffe and elephant meander across the  grasslands in front of you, workshops on a platform at the edge of the  great Zambezi gorge, and teaching sessions aboard a boat as you float  past crocodiles and hippos. This is continuing education, but not as you  know it.


Through the course we cover topics including:


  • The  Enneagram: a practical workshop discussing differing personality types,  core motivations and blind spots. Each person takes home a printed  personalised review.

  • Teamwork and optimizing how you communicate with others

  • Intruder syndrome and how to combat it

  • Burnout ad how to prevent it

  • Self forgiveness

  • Emotional IQ

  • Self development and growth strategies

  • Work life balance

  • Healthy coping mechanisms for practitioners

  • Taking control of your career path and development strategies

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ACCOMMODATION

Delegates  will enjoy their own luxury lodge room with king-size bed (shared rooms  can be accommodated) with cool luxurious white linen, large sweeping  mosquito nets, warm evening lighting and safari chic design. Rooms are  ensuite with showers as well as outdoor showers to enjoy the African  night sky. Each room has its own private deck overlooking the river.  There is also a communal swimming pool, so you can cool off in the  warmer parts of the day or even swim under starlight at night, with a  good chance of viewing animals. The communal areas where you eat and  socialize are draped in luxury and authentic African décor. The main  deck of the lodge has sweeping views out to the horizon and gives a true  sense of being in the midst of nature and totally disconnected from the  bustle of normal life.

All  food and drink is included in your stay. 3 meals a day are served  buffet or la la carte style. We can cater for vegetarians and vegans,  and most allergies. If you have complex food requirement, please contact  us before booking to discuss how we can accommodate you. The lodge  stocks a range of drinks and alcoholic beverages are served from 6pm  onwards. Visit the Wallow Lodge Website

LOCATION


The  lodge is set in the Victoria Falls national park, a big 5 wildlife area.  You can expect to be serenaded with calls of the wild at breakfast and  supper, elephants trumpeting and lions roaring into the night. In the  evening you can enjoy sunsets igniting the horizon and then kicking back  around the fire, under a sky of stars.  You are guaranteed wonderful  sightings of wildlife that come and drink from the waterhole in front of  the property, although the wildlife is not able to come closer to the  accommodation so your safety is ensured. The game drives never fail to  disappoint as the area is rich with all species, including the big 5 and  unique bird life.


From  the lodge you can see plombs of spray, rising from the Victoria falls  waterfall. This is the reason this waterfall is called “the smoke that  thunders”, something you will feel up close and personal when we do a  private tour of the waterfall itself, and get a chance to stand right in  front of the thundering water. By attending this course you are  supporting the great work of Wild Horizons and their Victoria Falls  Wildlife Trust which provides vet treatment to injured wildlife and  supports conservation across the Zambezi valley.

Travel information and planning


We ask you arrive before 2pm on the first day of the course. You will book your flights into  Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe. Most nationalities are able to  purchase a tourism visa on arrival, which costs 50 to 70 USD and lasts  for up to 3 months. Departure must be after 11 am on the last day of the  course. If you wish to be collected or dropped in town for personal  travel and exploration, this can be arranged.


You do not need to be vaccinated for Covid to travel to Zimbabwe.


Cost:


The cost of the course is £2,450


Included:


  • 20 hours of CE/CPD accredited learning

  • Personalised Enneagram workbook

  • 6 nights Accommodation in 5* Wallow Lodge

  • Transfers to and from the airport

  • 3 outstanding meals a day

  • All drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)

  • All “Thrive missions” (safari drives, boat trips, canopy high ropes, elephant sanctuary visit, cultural initiation)

Excluded:


  • Flights

  • Visas

  • Personal travel insurance

Bringing a partner or friend to THRIVE


If  you would like to bring your partner or friend  along to this event as a  social member (no teaching or lectures included) they are very welcome.  All partners attending this course will be hosted on an all-inclusive  basis including transfers, food and beverages. They will also join your  safari activities including safari drives, the boat cruise, the elephant  orphanage, and the high ropes. As well as the activities they do with  you, whilst lectures occur they will be able to enjoy optional  activities put on by the lodge such as bush walks, safari drives, town  and community excursions. Or just kick back and relax by the pool!


A  partner is required to share a room with a full paying course member.  Rooms can be shared either with one king size bed, or the bed can be  split into two 3/4 beds. Your friend or partner will join your safari  activities including safari drives, the boat cruise, the elephant  orphanage, and the high ropes. Additional the the activities they do  with you, whilst lectures occur they will be able to enjoy optional  activities put on by the lodge such as bush walks, safari drives, town  and community excursions. Or just kick back and relax by the pool!


If  you wish to purchase a partner ticket you can email our team to request  an invoice for this ticket, as they can not be purchased automatically  on the website.


The cost of a partner ticket is £2,800.


Volunteer feedback

Kyle Grusling, DVM

February 2024

"I cannot put into words the transformative experience that was Thrive 2024. From the setting to the presentations to the friendships made, I brought back invaluable information that has improved my practice and my daily life. My personal favorite was the enneagram work. Seeing my entire personality, flaws and all, on a piece of paper was a bit daunting at first, but working with Christine was so incredibly illuminating. Learning how to work with other personality types within my own skill set and learning to bring out the positives in others has already improved my practice in a measurable way. The setting of the conference was truly magical, with lectures taking place while watching hippos and elephants in the Zambezi, creating an almost surreal backdrop for learning. It was an experience I will never forget and cannot wait to repeat."

Helen Trory, DVM

February 2024

"I attended the Thrive course in Zimbabwe in February 24. It is difficult to put into words this amazing experience.

Elephants, zebras, warthogs and giraffes, beautiful accommodation, a fantastic hospitality team and lovely food.

Lectures in unbelievable locations like on the Zambezi river with hippos or overlooking Victoria falls with fish eagles !

Opportunities to challenge yourself with activities like zip lining... local culture, game drives, feeding elephants and genuinely lovely people everywhere we went. Social activities like cocktails in stunning locations, swimming in the beautiful pools during lunch breaks and a traditional Boma dinner to name but a few ! Making connections for life !

Add all those things to some very well delivered CPD that was informative, practical and for me allowed me to develop and reflect on my management style. I could share experiences and learn from others in an open and safe learning environment discussing topics I feel are essential to the future of the veterinary profession.

This has to be how CPD should be done !"

WHAT NEXT? If this sounds like something you would like to participate in please proceed to booking your tickets on our THRIVE event page.

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