Best Wellness Holidays for Animal Lovers

Need a bit of inspiration for booking your next trip?

We have a few great wellness retreats to have you escaping to sunnier shores, stat. And if you’re an animal lover like us, you’ve just hit the jackpot.

From tropical wildlife in Costa Rica to a Safari spa, here are our seven places to visit to get your relax on.

Tropical Wildlife in Central America: Costa Rica Discover Recover

Fancy seeing these little Kermits while soaking up some rays? Yeah, us too.

With one of the world’s most richly bio-diverse environments, Costa Rica is the an avid adventurer’s dream.

From ziplining through the forest canopy surrounded by the call of howler monkeys to spotting iguanas, toucons, sloths, butterflies and sloths on a jungle safari tour or Veragua rainforest park tour, the animal fans amongst you will be in your element.

Mix things up with trip to a coffee plantation, explore San Jose city, revive your spirits at Volcan Arenal’s hot springs and tuck into a spot of dinner with a view of the glowing volcano.

One thing’s for certain, you’ll be in need of a bit of R&R after all that.

Florablanca, a luxury boutique retreat, is set in the untouched tropical jungle of Costa Rica, alongside a pristine beach and world famous surf. You can get your zen on with experts teaching pilates and yoga sessions or totally chill in the Bambu Spa with a deep tissue massage. We can testify, you’ll be left feeling refreshed and revitalised after this whistle-stop tour of the island.

Sounds pretty idyllic, doesn’t it? ‘Nough said.

10 nights in Costa Rica costs from £2,425pp or £3,415 for single occupancy. The price includes breakfast, a Discover Recover programme, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

Safari in South Africa: Karkloof Safari Spa

Want to go on Safari but don’t fancy slumming it in a hammock?

How about a luxury spa? Yeah, a spa’s right up our street, too.

Cue the safari with a difference.

Passionate about the conservation of South Africa’s natural wildlife, flora and fauna, encounter stunning wildlife at this luxury spa safari retreat, set within a 3,500 hectare reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Get up close and personal with some of the most awesome wildlife, including white rhino, hippo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and monkeys, whilst satisfying your twitching needs with flocks of ostrich and the fleeting song of the African fish eagle.

Perfect for a luxury spa holiday, relax and unwind after an exhilarating day with unlimited treatments in the award-winning spa; from a passion fruit vitamin-C facial to a royal Thai massage. Bliss…

7 nights at Karkloof costs from £5,450pp or £5,590 for single occupancy. Price is all-inclusive, with a wellness safari programme, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

Dolphin Spotting in Portugal: Galo Resort

How does experiencing one of the most magical marine encounters whilst dolphin spotting at a luxury wellness retreat on the south east cost of Madeira sound? We’re on board already.

With large schools of dolphins swimming the waters of the Mid-Atlantic throughout the year, climb aboard and witness the beauty of these creatures in their natural habitat as the little beauties play amongst the waves.

Whales also frequent these waters and may grace you with their presence a once in a lifetime sighting.

An awesome activity holiday destination, with a range of fitness, golf and Ayurveda wellness programmes available, mix up this experience with a variety of healthy activities; whether perfecting your yoga, paddle-boarding or mountain biking.

7 nights at Galo Resort costs from £815pp or £960 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, a choice of programmes, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

Horse Riding in Utah: Red Mountain Resort

Set in America’s infamous wild, wild West, we can’t think of a better way to escape a quarter-life crisis than to explore the awe-inspiring views of Utah’s natural Red Mountain range on horseback.

Get healthy as you saddle up by travelling through the scenic Snow Canyon State Park on bright-eyed pedigree horses.

Whether you need to get fit or think you need to lose a few pounds, keep it active with daily hikes, combined with a variety of activities and fitness classes, from rock climbing to bootcamp training and kayaking to kickboxing.

But don’t despair, it’s not all fast paced around these parts. Soothe those aching muscles with a spot of yoga or Tai Chi before indulging with a holistic spa massage.

Sounds like all kinds of lovely.

7 nights at Red Mountain Resort costs from £2,085pp or £2,270 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a choice of programmes, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

Scuba Diving in the Maldives: Maalifushi

Fancy seeing some brightly coloured nemos on your next adventure? Learn to dive and gain your PADI certification in one of the world’s top 10 diving destinations, The Maldives.

Give your new breathing apparatus a whirl and dive right in to the breath-taking (sorry) waters of the Indian Ocean, boasting an abundance of marine life; including whale sharks, manta rays, turtles and vibrant corals and schools of even more vibrant fish.

Shake things up above water with a lesson on how to ride the tide, before rejuvenating after a day in the ocean with spa treatments or complimentary yoga classes in the open-air yoga pavilion. For the ultimate luxury experience, we recommend the Butler service.

Well, of course we would.

7 nights at Maalifushi costs from £4,840pp or £8,665 for single occupancy. Price includes full board, a scuba diving programme, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

Camel Riding in Morocco: Paradis Plage

Horse-riding not your thing? Spice things up a little on your next wellness holiday with a camel ride across the beaches of Morocco.

Experience the ultimate in desert transportation and cruise along the beautiful golden sands of Agadir on a graceful camel.

Morocco’s the perfect destination for families and singles alike. With an ocean-front yoga pavilion and three scheduled group yoga classes a day, what’s not to like about a beach retreat for a yoga holiday?

Plus, get active and make the most of your surroundings by taking advantage of the surfing, mountain biking and nature walks. No excuses, now.

7 nights at Paradis Plage costs from £820pp or £1,240 for single occupancy. Price includes breakfast, a choice of programmes, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

 

Meet Rescued Animals in Thailand: Thailand Discover Recover

Fancy taking care of animal kind while taking some downtime?

From orphaned baby monkeys to injured lorises and civets, be humbled by meeting over 400 rescued animals at the WFFT Wildlife Rescue Centre.

Help out by giving a rescued elephant a shower and learn how the trust’s work is helping Thailand’s most beautiful and endangered creatures.

On the Discover Recover programme, explore Thailand’s cultural surroundings on a temple tour or visit to the Damnern Saduak Floating Market, before taking part in a traditional Thai cooking class. After all that, you’ll need to take some time to recover.

And what better way than with a few days on a fitness detox holiday with spa treatments and healthy activities in abundance at a choice of Thailand wellness retreats.

Sound good? Better get booking then.

10 nights in Thailand costs from £1,995pp or £2,195 for single occupancy. Price includes a choice of boards, a Discover Recover programme, return flights and transfers with Health and Fitness Travel.

For more information about the trips, contact Health and Fitness Travel, right here: healthandfitnesstravel.com

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