In the past decade the concept of wellness travel has moved from the fringe to the mainstream, reshaping high-end luxury across the spectrum. Cruise ships are pouring investment into spa spaces, while leading hotels are making wellness a central pillar of their brands. Thats no surprise as the Global Wellness Institute forecasts spending on wellness tourism will pass the 1-trillion R17.6-trillion mark this year, outpacing other sectors of the travel industry.
The world of luxury safaris is more than keeping up with the herd. Increasingly its less about bolting a spa offering onto game drives and more about using wilderness, movement and a concept of mindfulness to counter the always-on overload of modern life, weaving wellness throughout the guest experience. From destination spa creations to African-inspired rituals, and more subtle immersive nature-based experiences, wellness is proving to be a way to enrich your time in the bush.
A game-changer for the world of wild wellness arrives alongside Rwandas Volcanoes National Park in December with The Sanctuary at Wilderness Bisate. The purpose-built wellness centre goes beyond a mere spa offering to create a destination devoted to dialling down.