Bliss & Stars Retreat

UNBOUND

experience for men

Three Days to Walk a Different Path

Unbound means stepping outside the constraints that tie you down. You close the laptop, silence the phone, and claim a rare luxury: hours without alerts or interruptions, free from deadlines and noise. It’s about stepping out of the grind and into the sharp air of the Cederberg, following in the footsteps of the Khoi San whose lives were bound to this land. Your test is the trail underfoot, the silence above, and the reality of no WiFi signal bars, no inbox, just sky and stone.

For four days in the Cederberg wilderness, you’ll be with a group of men who carry similar responsibilities. You’ll breathe deep, hike rugged trails, carry weight, and take on challenges daily life rarely offers.

You don’t come here to repair anything, but to sharpen your clarity, resilience, and focus. You come here to get honest in conversations that cut past small talk. With yourself. With other men. With the land.

By the end, you’ll know what to carry forward, what to set down, and which commitments matter and which can be left behind.

THE DATES

12 - 15 MAR 2026

MEET YOUR GUIDES

heine wieben & Richard Watson

Heine Wieben, an astronomer and astrophotographer, points his telescope at the night sky, tracing the mysteries of the universe and the wonders of the natural world. Alongside him is Richard Watson, a guide equally at home in wild landscapes and in thoughtful conversations about what it means to be a man today.

They share a love of nature and science, and they know what it’s like to juggle late-night emails with late-night arguments, or trying to balance work calls with real conversations at home, or to switch from boardrooms to school runs. Their mission is not to lecture, but to walk with you: through the wilderness, under the stars, and into conversations that admit doubt, share pressure, and invite real answers.

Heine brings the night sky into focus, pointing out galaxies that shrink daily worries into perspective. Richard grounds the experience in the everyday realities men navigate: deadlines, paychecks, and family dinners, and how to carry them with more clarity. Together, they create an environment where men can reconnect with themselves, each other, and the land.

Heine Wieben And Richard Watson
My deepest gratitude for the amazing weekend. I really love what Bliss & Stars are building (and why), and am so glad that it was shared with us. I left feeling re-enthused and inspired.
Rock Art Cederberg Bliss And Stars 17 19 27
Jason

PRICES & ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

The entire experience is included in the stated prices. We never have extra “hidden” charges.
Eagles Nest Interior
CHALET DOUBLE

R33,500 | 2 PERSONS

Leopards Cave Chalet At Bliss Amp Stars Retreat In Cederberg

CHALET SINGLE

R24,500 |1 PERSON

Dassies Spot

TENTED CHALET DOUBLE

R27,500 | 2 PERSONS

257 Figtree Blissandstars Teagancunniffe

TENTED CHALET SINGLE

R18,500 | 1 PERSON

Villa Weavers Nest Cederberg 2

VILLA DOUBLE

R39,000 | 2 PERSONS

Villa Weavers Nest At Bliss And Stars Retreat 1

VILLA SINGLE

R27,000 | ONE PERSON

THE PRICE INCLUDES
4 days | 3 nights private accommodation in our chalets or tented chalets

Activities such as a medicine walk, fire sharing, movement, stargazing, breathwork, and more.

Snacks and beverages served throughout the day

3 balanced and nutritious meals a day

Clean, biodegradable skin care products

Access to 1,350 ha of wild & pristine nature
Off The Grid
Daily flow
Mornings bring and time in nature.

Afternoons challenge you physically and mentally, from hikes to hands-on skills.

Evenings circle around the fire, where talk cuts past small talk and into what really matters.

There is plenty of time and activities in nature to cultivate and strengthen our connection to the land and universe.
THE BLISS & STARS EXPERIENCE
Rest in spacious chalets that seamlessly mesh with nature

Be amazed by nature and observe the night sky through our state-of-the-art telescopes

Saunter in secluded mountainous areas

Relax and breath deeply with mindfulness practices

Discover Bushmen cave paintings

Build bonds with others in small groups of a maximum of 10 people

Share the living space with eland, baboons, Cape leopards and many more beautiful animals

Travel light and use our daily laundry service

come as you are. we take care for the rest.

FAQ

It is a +- 4.5 hour drive from Cape Town to the Bliss & Stars meeting point. Bliss & Stars is 60km north of Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. It is a 45-minute drive on a gravel road from Clanwilliam to the meeting point however no 4 x 4 or raised vehicle is necessary. At the meeting point, you can safely park your car and will take you the last bit of the way in our vehicle.

 

You are welcome to drive all the way to Bliss & Stars however: after the meeting point the road is sandy and rocky so a high clearance vehicle and confident driving skills are needed.

 

If you need a transfer from CPT or Cape Town International Airport then let us know.

 

Please aim to check in before 2pm. On the last day the retreat ends at 11 am and you will be able to check out from 12pm onwards.

 

If you are flying back home: we recommend booking your flight after 4pm. Alternatively break your travel and stay in Clanwilliam before you head back. We recommend the Yellow Aloe guesthouse in Clanwilliam.

Once your reservation has been confirmed: you’ll be sent a welcome letter providing lots of useful information about the retreat, including a helpful guide on what to pack.

These experiences are designed to be more intimate. We limit the number of guests to 6 – 10 people to ensure you receive full attention from the team.

Although this is a men’s only retreat, we welcome male couples to join us.

Bliss & Stars is not conducive to children. We have a minimum age requirement of 21.

Please arrive no later than noon and plan to leave no earlier than 3pm. Exact arrival and departure times can be arranged with us closer to the time. 

We cater to specific nutritional and dietary requirements including food allergies and food intolerances. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are always available.

This retreat requires minimum medium fitness level.

No. You can pace yourself to find the perfect amount of activity that suits you. We support you in doing as much or as little as you’d like, depending on how you are feeling. Personally, we wouldn’t want to miss a thing!

Unfortunately not. We ask that you leave by 5pm on the closing day.

We unfortunately cannot accommodate disabled or mobility impaired people. Bliss & Stars is located in the Cederberg wilderness and the terrain doesn’t allow for such access.

For the benefit of everyone: we ask that all participants commit to attending the entire retreat from beginning to end. Your wholehearted commitment supports those in your group and expresses respect for the retreat staff.

We offer personalized payment plans for all our retreats up to 2 months before the start date of your stay.

Please read our terms & conditions for our cancelation policy

We always strive to make our experiences available to everyone, therefore we have a bursary programme. Learn more here.

No, there is no mobile coverage or WIFI available. There is a computer with guest access available in case of emergency and you will be provided with a phone number should you need to be reached while staying at Bliss & Stars.

MAKE YOUR RESERVATION

Please answer the questions below so we can tailor the experience to meet your needs.
We require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation.

If you are not committed to making a reservation yet and have some questions, contact us here.

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