Africa

You can book either through our website, by email or by phone. On our website you can book 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Select your Wellbeing Escape and follow the steps to book and pay. If you would prefer to book by phone, please contact our wellbeing sales specialists during our office hours.

NB: If you would like us to arrange your flights, please bear in mind that you are responsible for providing correct name(s) and dates of birth of all travellers, as detailed in your passports.

On booking, please be sure to check the details on your confirmation/invoice. Any inaccuracies will be at the expense of the person who submitted the booking.

The online booking form includes a ‘Comments’ field where any special requests (e.g. dietary requirements, room preferences, etc.) can be listed. Certain types of treatment programmes require that you provide us with a list of any medical issues, your height and weight for example. This information will be passed on to the hotel for the purposes of delivering appropriate treatments. Please be assured that your personal information is kept strictly confidential.

After filling in all your personal details, you will be provided with an overview of your travel request. You automatically receive an acknowledgment of your booking by email. Please note that this is not final confirmation. All programmes are complied on an individual request basis - please await final confirmation that we have received and can process your request, particularly when you are arranging your own flights.

Can I hold an option on a specific holiday?

Yes, it is possible to hold an option for a holiday. An option is valid for a maximum period of 3 days and will expire if we have no further contact from you

Is my booking on request?

Yes, all bookings are on request until we advise of of confirmation. We do work with some small boutique properties with limited accommodation. That requires us to check availability for your requested dates. Within one working day you will receive a final booking confirmation. If you have any additional requirements, such as a flight proposal, extra nights and/or a different room type, we will contact you directly within one working day.

Do I pay a booking fee?

No, additional fees are not required.  

Can I change my booking?

Yes, you can make changes to your booking. There may be limitations or conditions that apply. Airlines in particular have more strict terms when it comes to changes. If you are thinking of making a change, please contact one of our wellbeing sales specialists to advise you.

Is a fare for the flights included in my booking?

Since the 1st of January 2012, all programmes and prices published on this website are without flights. We decided to offer our programmes without flights to give you the option to select the flights which suit you best. Of course, you can also book your flights through us. We can also reserve you a Business or First Class ticket, or even a combination of both. A tailor-made ticket!

Please contact our wellbeing sales specialists for the best flight options and our special rates.

What are the benefits of booking a ticket via Wellbeing Escapes?

We book and research flights on a daily basis, meaning we are  well placed to inform you of the various airlines and their conditions. As your entire trip is arranged with one firm, you receive just one invoice and have one immediate point of contact. We will keep you informed of any changes to schedules and will liaise with the airlines directly regarding alternative options. If you have arranged cancellation insurance and booked your ticket with us, your cancellation policy also conveniently covers your ticket. 

Changes made by the airlines

We book both scheduled flights and charter flights to destinations. Airlines occasionally change the type of aircraft used on particular flights without advance warning. Scheduled flight timings and days of operation are subject to change by airlines.

Within at least one week before departure, you will receive your travel documents and tickets. It is advisable to look a day in advance on the website of the airport you are departing from to check the current departure time of your flight.  

Payment of your flights

Please be aware, that if your booking includes flights, we ask that you to pay the cost of the flights immediately (we will provide you with receipt of purchase). After receiving payment, we will book and bill for your flights at the current fare. Flights are subject to changes in price and availability if they are not purchased promptly.       

Can I book flights myself?

Of course you are free to book your own flights directly. We would, however,  like to draw your attention to the following:

Please wait to receive final confirmation of your accommodation before booking any flights. You will receive this final confirmation within 24 hours after booking.

You remain responsible for keeping us updated about any flight changes. We can of course contact your hotel to inform them of the flight changes and amend transfer times accordingly.

Any additional accommodation costs resulting from the flight change should be paid directly to Wellbeing Escapes. Please read the airline’s conditions very carefully prior to your trip.

When booking flights directly, we recommend you insure your tickets. Please print out your flight details and provide us with all your flight details so that we can arrange your transfers. 

Extra fees for the flight?

There is a possibility that an airline unexpectedly charges you an extra fee of some sort. In this case, we will charge you for these extra costs only. 

How do I check in for my flight?

On the day of departure you need to be at the airport at least 2 hours before your flight departs.

You will need to register at the check-in desk. On your ticket you will find your flight times. You can also check these times prior to departure on the airport’s or airline’s website. 

What is my baggage allowance?

Baggage allowances can depend on the airline as well as the cabin in which you are booked, i.e. First, Business, Premium or Economy. Our wellbeing specialists will advise you of both your checked babbage and carry-on allowances. 

Please note that it is advisable to put important documents, travel documents and medicines in your hand luggage. If your baggage exceeds the weight allowance, a fee will apply. For babies under 2, there is a maximum baggage allowance of 10 kg. Airlines are very strict on baggage allowance, so please do not risk any overweight baggage. 

Check in online?

Several airlines allow you to check in online in advance. The online check in process is available 24 hours before departure. You can select a seat of your preference. At the airport you have then only to drop your baggage at the drop-off point. Group online check in is possible for parties of nine and under. For disabled passengers and families with babies, suitable seats will be reserved by the airlines in advance. The online check in system is the responsibility of the airline you are flying with.

Every programme on our website provides a clear breakdown of what is included and excluded. Almost all programmes advertised include transfers from the airport to the hotel. Please check our website or call our wellbeing specialists and they can explain exactly what is included with your booking, including transfers, meals, wellness treatments if applicable.

We kindly ask that you respect the following conditions of payment.

Upon booking your trip, you should pay either a deposit of full amount of the booking, dependent on your departure date.  If your departure date is within 60 days of the booking date, full payment is due  to confirm the booking. If the departure date is more than 60 days from the booking date, a deposit of 25% of the total price is due. In the case where a flight is included, the deposit will be the full cost of the flight plus 25% of the other booking arrangements.  In the case of a so-called ‘last-minute booking’, whereby the departure date falls within the aforementioned six week period, full payment should be completed immediately after confirming the booking.

Important! For bookings including flight tickets, we request pre-payment of the the full price of any flight tickets be made immediately (we can provide receipt of payment). We cannot guarantee either the price or availability until the payment is received.  Where payment for the trip is not received in time, Wellbeing Escapes reserves the right to withdraw from their contract with the client. In this instance, stipulations applying to ‘cancellation by the client’ become effective.

What are the possible means of payment? You can pay for your booking by debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You can pay immediately over the phone with the wellbeing sales specialist, or alternatively, you can be sent a secure payment link. If you prefer to pay by bank transfer, the details will be provided to you.

After making a booking, you will your confirmation documents within 24 hours, or 48 hours if booked over the weekend. 

What travel documents do I receive?

You will receive a booking invoice which also served as your itinerary. Your flight details with the airline booking reference will be on your invoice if we have booked the flights for you. You will also receive an information document or 'Know Before You Go', with details about your destination and other useful facts.an information letter, your e-tickets (if you have booked your flights with us) and general information about the treatment programme and the destination. If you live in the UK and we arrange your flights as well as your ground arrangements, you will also receive an ATOL certificate. As an ATOL bonded company, your booking is covered against the unlikely event that Wellbeing Escapes becomes insolvent.

Passport and visa

It is your responsibility to identify all passport and other official requirements for your trip and to ensure you allow adequate time to obtain the required documentation. Please note that many countries require that your passport is valid for six months beyond the period of your stay. Requirements can change and it is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with applicable passport and visa requirements and take all necessary documents with you to gain access to any country or region to which you make travel arrangements. If you fail to do so, you will be solely responsible for any cost, loss, or damage which you or Wellbeing Escapes incurs as a result of your failure. For regular updates on visa requirements or any conflictions in particular regions, see the Foreign Commonwealth Office Website www.fco.gov.uk

Vaccinations

Please consult your local GP or visit the relevant Embassy websites for information on immunisation and other necessary precautions.

Seventy per cent of our wellbeing and treatment holidays are booked by solo travellers. That is why we do the best we can to get good deals for solo travellers. Some holidays are very suitable for solo travellers, avoiding, for example, a single supplement. Call and speak to one of our wellbeing sales specialists. They can advise you of the best destinations for people looking to travel on their own.

Mauritius blends Indian, French, Creole and Chinese culinary influences, and many resort spas draw on this mix, offering wellness menus that reflect the island's genuinely diverse food heritage rather than a single cuisine.

Mauritius's resort model tends to suit couples particularly well, though many properties also offer family-friendly facilities alongside more adult-focused spa areas.

Much of Mauritius is protected by an outer coral reef, creating calm, shallow lagoon waters that are notably gentler than open ocean - many resorts build treatments and activities specifically around this setting.

Mauritius tends to offer larger resorts with more on-island activity, culture and dining variety, while the Maldives leans towards smaller, more secluded private-island seclusion - the right choice depends on what you're after.

Yes - the cyclone season typically runs from January to March, and most retreats recommend visiting between May and December to avoid this period.

Given the island's significant Indian heritage, several Mauritian resort spas offer Ayurveda-inspired treatments alongside more standard spa menus, reflecting this part of the island's cultural mix.

Yes, direct flights are available from the UK, taking around 11–12 hours, though some routings include a stopover - worth checking with your advisor for the most convenient option.

Many resorts can arrange respectful visits to local markets or communities as an optional excursion - it's worth asking your retreat what's available if you'd like to see beyond the resort itself.

Mauritius's consistent warm-weather makes it a reliable choice for a beach-based wellness break across most of the year, outside the cyclone season.

Mauritius sits at a broadly similar price point to the Maldives at the luxury end, though it often offers more variety in activities and dining given its larger, more developed resort infrastructure.

A hammam involves steam, exfoliation with a rough mitt (kessa) and often black soap, followed by rinsing - a centuries-old cleansing ritual that's considerably more involved than a typical Western spa exfoliation treatment.

Marrakech offers riad-based retreats within the city's historic medina, while the Atlas Mountains provide a quieter, nature-focused alternative with hiking and dramatic scenery - both are well established for different styles of retreat.

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around an interior courtyard, often converted into a boutique retreat property. Their design - quiet, enclosed, centred on water and greenery - is itself part of the wellness experience.

The exfoliation involved can be quite vigorous, so it's worth mentioning any skin sensitivities to your retreat in advance - most venues can adjust the intensity accordingly.

Yes - several retreats offer or can arrange desert excursions, including overnight stays in the Sahara, as an add-on to a hammam or riad-based wellness stay.

Modest dress is generally expected outside resort areas, particularly for women - loose, covering clothing is advisable both for cultural respect and practicality in the heat.

Yes - at around 3.5–4 hours' flight time from the UK, Morocco offers a genuinely distinctive hammam and desert wellness experience without the long-haul commitment of somewhere like Oman or Dubai.

Moroccan cuisine, built around ingredients like tagine vegetables, couscous and fresh herbs, adapts naturally into wellness-focused menus, and many riads lean into this rather than offering Western alternatives.

Yes - Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains have a well-established riad and retreat culture that's generally comfortable for solo travellers, particularly women, provided standard travel precautions are followed.

Mozambique remains genuinely off the beaten track compared with the Maldives or Mauritius, offering a level of remoteness and untouched coral reef that's increasingly hard to find at more developed destinations.

Yes - several retreats here combine spa treatments with diving or marine conservation activities, given the exceptional condition of the surrounding reefs, making it a strong choice if diving matters to you.

Very - many sit on private islands reached by light aircraft or boat after the main international flight, meaning the journey itself is part of the experience and needs realistic time built in.

The remote resort model here tends to suit couples and small groups best, given the seclusion and logistics involved, though solo travel is possible with the right planning.

Requirements can include recommendations around malaria prevention and other precautions - it's worth checking current NHS or travel clinic guidance well ahead of booking, as recommendations can change.

Several properties are directly involved in reef conservation and research, and some retreats let guests participate in citizen science or conservation activities alongside their spa programme.

Given its remoteness and the complexity of getting there, Mozambique isn't necessarily cheaper, but it does offer a level of untouched seclusion that's increasingly rare at more established Indian Ocean destinations.

Typically a long-haul flight to the region followed by one or more onward legs - light aircraft or boat transfers - meaning total travel time can be considerably longer than the main flight alone suggests.

Yes - the hotter, wetter months from December to April are generally best avoided, with May to November offering more reliable conditions for a beach and reef-focused retreat.

Mozambican cuisine carries a distinct Portuguese influence, particularly in seafood dishes and the use of piri-piri, giving retreats here a genuinely different flavour profile from elsewhere in the region.

Yes - South Africa is one of the few destinations where a serious wildlife safari and a genuine wellness programme can be built into a single trip, often at lodges that offer both game drives and spa treatments.

A popular combination pairs a few days at a safari lodge (often near Kruger National Park) with time on the Cape coast or Cape Town for the wellness and relaxation portion of the trip.

May to September, the dry season, generally offers the best wildlife viewing as animals gather around limited water sources, while the coast remains pleasant for much of the year.

Yes - Cape Town has a well-established wellness and spa scene, set against dramatic mountain and coastal scenery, and works well either alongside or separate from a safari component.

The Cape Winelands, near Cape Town, are often combined with wellness stays, offering gentle vineyard visits alongside spa time - though this is worth balancing against any strict detox programme.

South Africa's well-established tourist regions and lodge culture are generally comfortable for solo travellers, though it's sensible to follow standard travel safety advice, particularly in cities.

Days often start with an early morning game drive, followed by spa treatments or rest during the heat of the day, then a second game drive in the late afternoon - a rhythm many lodges are specifically built around.

Direct flights are available from the UK, taking around 11–12 hours, without the significant jet lag of destinations further east given the similar time zone.

It can offer strong value relative to other safari destinations, particularly for guests who prioritise flexibility between lodge stays and coastal wellness time.

Neutral-coloured layers for game drives, alongside swimwear and lighter clothing for spa and coastal days - worth packing for both distinct parts of the trip.