If you’re yearning for a reset—body, mind, and soul, we have some local spots that holds space for that kind of magic. Just like Elizabeth Gilbert’s iconic Eat, Pray, Love journey, you too can wander, heal, and rediscover yourself without hopping on an international flight.
Whether you’re nursing a heartbreak, searching for meaning, or simply craving stillness, here are local places and experiences across South Africa where you can curate your own version of an “Eat, Pray, Love” journey.
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EAT: Nourish your body with local delights
Babylonstoren (Franschhoek, Western Cape)
Set on a working wine and fruit farm, Babylonstoren offers farm-to-table meals that are equal parts nourishing and beautiful. Take a slow walk through their lush gardens, then enjoy seasonal plates made with ingredients grown on-site. Perfect for mindful eating and reconnecting with nature.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market (Cape Town)
If you’re craving connection, community, and fresh produce, head to the OZCF Market. Whether you grab a green smoothie, gluten-free pancake, or vegan curry, this is where food meets soul in the Mother City.
Midlands Meander (KwaZulu-Natal)
From cheese farms and chocolate tastings to cosy cafés in the countryside, the Midlands region invites you to slow down and savour. Think barefoot breakfasts, local wine, and homemade everything.
PRAY: Find inner stillness and spiritual grounding
Bodhi Khaya Retreat (Gansbaai, Western Cape)
A true sanctuary surrounded by fynbos and forests. Whether you join a guided retreat or go solo, Bodhi Khaya offers yoga, meditation, and time for spiritual introspection in nature.
Buddhist Retreat Centre (Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal)
Recognised internationally as a place of profound peace, this centre encourages silence, meditation, and mindfulness. Try a retreat like “Simply Being” or “Meditative Walking” and eat delicious vegetarian meals that ground you.
Tsitsikamma Forest Solitude Hikes (Garden Route)
Prayer doesn’t always look like kneeling with clasped hands. Sometimes, it’s hiking through ancient forests, listening to birdsong, and remembering your place in the universe. Disconnect from your phone and reconnect with your spirit.
LOVE: Open your heart to yourself and the world
Solo wine tastings in Stellenbosch or Paarl
Romanticizing your own company is healing. Take a wine tour by yourself—yes, really. Sip slowly, journal between tastings, and enjoy your presence.
Art jamming or pottery classes (Nationwide)
Create something just for you. Whether it’s painting in a studio in Joburg or shaping clay in Hout Bay, expressing yourself creatively can be a powerful act of self-love.
Ocean rebirth – Beach days in Paternoster or KZN South Coast
Float. Swim. Cry. Laugh. The ocean holds what words can’t. Whether you’re surfing in Muizenberg, snorkelling in Sodwana Bay, or just walking barefoot along Paternoster’s quiet beaches, saltwater has a way of washing you clean.
Your Eat, Pray, Love journey doesn’t need to happen in Italy, India, or Bali. It can happen right here—between wild fig trees, in a quiet meditation room, or on a sunrise walk in your own city. South Africa offers spaces of deep nourishment, spiritual grounding, and emotional revival. You don’t need to leave the country to come back to yourself.
So pack a journal, leave your guilt behind, and say yes to the slow, soulful experiences that call you back home—to you.
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Featured Image: DupePhoto
