Zami Collective brings together women as friends and lovers through curated wellness and travel experiences. Our community encourages women to dream through a collective conscience. Join the Zami Collective in October 2025 for our third retreat! We're headed to Ethiopia for our inaugural retreat in Addis Ababa and the Simien Mountains!
Ethiopia, situated in East Africa is best characterised by its rich history as the birthplace of humans, for its smooth coffee culture and Tezeta, its nostalgic music and Ethiopian jazz scene. Unwind in Ethiopia's Simien Mountains National Park, one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world! You will be staying in hand-picked 5* luxury hotels and boutique lodges in Addis Ababa and the Simien Mountains. Connect and dream with your Zami family in dreaming workshops and spend your days trekking the Simien Mountains, a nature lovers dream, rich in wildlife and offering phenomenal natural landscapes.
The Ethiopia retreat 17th October - 23rd October 2025 (7 days, 6 nights) package is priced per-person and available on a shared twin and triple, or private room occupancy basis. If you intend to travel with a friend, please do let us know at the time of booking and we will do our very best to pair you in a shared room.
This retreat is suitable to those preferring a 5* luxury package.
We understand time and resources may restrict your travel plans so please reach out directly to discuss payment plans which can be spread throughout the year.
Please note: Flights are not included in the retreat package and it is your responsibility to book the appropriate international and domestic flights. Information will be shared with participants on flight routes once bookings are confirmed and we will be on hand to assist with this directly.
In Addis Ababa, the Hyatt Regency 5* hotel has luxury rooms available on a shared or private basis. Each room is equipped with either a king-sized bed or twin bed and generous ensuite bathroom. There is a rooftop infinity pool which can be enjoyed by Zami participants, a spa, and multiple eateries.
In the Simien Mountains, the lodge is 5* with panoramic views of the rolling mountains. Each room is equipped with either a king-sized bed, twin bed or triple bed basis, along with a generous ensuite bathroom. Workshops will take place in the lodge's beautiful communal cabin spaces and mornings spent walking to the Lodge's lookout point.
Zami Collective is a container to nurture connection, community and creativity. We host retreats and residencies that are regenerative and focus on integrating a tapestry of artists, wellness, food, farming, and cultural practitioners from the African continent at different points of the value chain. We collaborate with yoga instructors in Addis Ababa and Lamu Island, Women's farming cooperatives in Nandi Hills, Photographers in Kilifi, and spotlight homegrown publications archiving East Africa's creative arts scene and nostalgic musical landscapes. Through practice, we are learning how best our Zami footprint can redistribute wealth, while connecting you with different countries and cultures in East Africa.
A Carriacou name for women who work together as friends and lovers, Zami Collective is women-led and was created with the intention to build and nurture a community with shared world views on the collective needs for material and spiritual transformation. At Zami Collective we believe we are in constant transformation. We invite you to slow down and attune to the collective internal rhythms that bind us and encourage compassion and consciousness towards the communities we are hosted in. Let us be present as we connect, create and crucially— rest.
"In October 2021, I journeyed to Lamu for my solar return. I experienced magic. My ancestral interior came alive and I knew that, one day, I would return: with friends, with lovers and family. Sitting on the terrace of my house in Lamu, I called in community and unbeknownst, the birth of the Zami Collective was already in close orbit." - Kulani McCartan-Demie, Founder.
A £750 deposit is required to secure your place (all deposits are non-refundable). The remainder is to be paid by the 31st July 2025. Flexible instalments can also be made that we agree upon at the time of booking. Please keep up with the scheduled instalment dates as these guarantee a smooth booking process. If you do not complete you full payments by the stipulated date, your place on the retreat will not be confirmed.
Please notify Zami Collective more than 120 days prior to the retreat in order to receive a refund (minus non-refundable deposit) and more than 90 days to receive a 50% refund of any payments made (minus non-refundable deposit) due to non-recoverable costs incurred with suppliers. Any permitted refunds will incur a 3% processing fee. Any cancellations after this date are strictly non-refundable. All deposits are strictly non-refundable. You confirm that you understand the above information and accept this at the time of booking.
*Please note: all packages are non-transferable.
Full terms and conditions can be found here
Force Majeure Disclaimer
In the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond the supplier’s control, including but not limited to natural disasters, government restrictions, or other acts of God, the supplier shall not be held liable for any disruptions or cancellations of the retreat. Deposits paid by attendees are non-refundable under such circumstances. Where, possible, we will assess the feasibility of issuing a refund, minus any non-recoverable third-party costs already incurred. This disclaimer shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.
In the unlikely event that this trip has to be cancelled or rescheduled due to extraordinary travel circumstances such as security travel warnings, Zami Collective will not be held responsible for the impact of such changes on individual travel arrangements.
Insurance
Personal travel and health insurance are compulsory for participants to join our retreats and we advise you to book insurance at the time of booking to ensure that any disruptions are covered.
Sole Discretion
Zami Collective reserves the right to exercise discretion and make any changes deemed necessary, including, but not limited to: advertised travel routes, accommodation, excursions, arranged transportation, advertised meals, rooms, etc. Zami Collective reserves the right to accept or reject any request for cancellation and refunds at any time without liability, and in the event it determines, in its sole and exclusive discretion.
You confirm that you understand all of the above terms and conditions and accept this at the time of booking. This policy is governed by and construed under the laws of England and Wales.
The film photographs on this page belong to Zami Collective
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved. All other photos belong to the respective hotel providers.
Accommodation in beautiful hotels and lodges that include swimming pools or communal gardens.
Roundtrip airport group taxi transfers
The majority of meals are covered on a half or full board basis across the trip. We will endeavour to meet dietary requirements if advanced notice is given.
Wifi is available in Addis Ababa. There is limited wifi outside of the capital city. You're invited to switch off and enjoy the natural landscapes.
Talking circle time and Zami Dreamstorm workshop.
Ethiopian Jazz evening, Azmari Bet experience, food tours, Ethiopian coffee ceremony and Ethiopian textiles workshop tour.
Guided day hikes.
Direct and non-direct routes to Addis include Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates. We recommend Ethiopian airlines as you qualify for discount for subsequent domestic flights. We can assist post-deposit.
It is mandatory that you book travel insurance at the time of booking your Zami retreat spot, ensuring that it covers you for such unlikely events as flight disruptions or necessary cancellations.
It is advisable you see the GP for a travel consultation at least 8 weeks before departure (earlier the better). The nurse goes through your records of immunisations and boosters
Food, drink and meals outside of the hotels. Some meals on travel days if not listed on the itinerary. Alcoholic drinks.
Can be easily obtained online through Ethiopia's https://www.evisa.gov.et/
Spending money (USD/ Ethiopian birr) if you chose to buy any extras outside of the villa and if you wish to tip local Ethiopian workers (warmly encouraged, this is a space to redistribute wealth).
Selam! Welcome to Ethiopia!
Exit international departures at Bole International airport and transfer to the domestic terminal. You will be met by your host who will transfer you to the Simien Mountains for the next 3 nights. Catch the 10:50 am flight to Gondar, relax, sit back and enjoy. We will be met by our private transportation to transfer us to the lodge in Simien Mountains - the journey is approximately 2.5 hours.
Guests will have the chance to settle into their rooms and freshen up before a late lunch is served.
Spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying some free time and exploring the grounds of the lodge, marvelling at the panoramic views of the Simien Mountains.
Join us for sundowners and our first circle time to introduce ourselves.
Enjoy Zami family dinner served at 7:30pm.
Catch an early night for tomorrow's first full day of activities.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast spread at 9:00am.
Take a walk to the Limalimo viewpoint – Princess Stop (approx. 90 mins): heading downhill from the lodge first to an outcrop with close to 360 degree views onto the Simiens and lowlands, then through the forest to Princess Stop where Queen Elizabeth II apparently visited just before becoming Queen. From here there is a seasonal waterfall which flows down to Limalimo village.
Lunch - 2pm
After lunch, we will regroup for an afternoon of communal dreamstorming. Part one and two of the Dreamstorm workshop will be held by Zami Collective. Zami is a Carriacou name for women who work together as friends and lovers.
The workshop will explore how we can activate our dreams through group exercises and breakout sessions. We will outline our main dreams, obstacles and how best we can support one another through a communal resource exchange in the future.
Teatime - Enjoy some downtime time in the afternoon with tea, coffee and treats.
Guests will be invited to continue exploring their dreams through part three of the Dreamstorm workshop and participate in a 'postcard to my dreams' creative session. Take time to independently reflect on part 1 and 2 of the dream activation workshop and use your creativity to channel your dreams through art. You can think and feel with colour before using words and writing your dreams down on the postcard. Use colours, patterns, shapes and pictures to draw and evoke how these dreams make you feel; this might be an abstract process. Colour will act as a tool to recall from your memory scape and to dream through your third eye.
Join us for sundowners and watch the sunset behind the Simien Mountains.
Zami family dinner will be served at 7:30pm.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at 8:30am.
Today we embark on a group guided hike to Ras Amba in the Simien Mountains national park! This is a stunning, challenging hike along the escarpment edge heading east where you trek from ridge to ridge with spectacular views along the way and often in the company of Gelada monkeys.
Ras Amba is approx. 3300m, and the round trip is approximately 5 hours. The Simien Mountains are home to the largest population of the Gelada monkey, the Walia Ibex (a horned mountain goat) and the Ethiopian wolf - all endemic to Ethiopia - as well as leopards, various antelopes, hyenas and more. With the varied habitats of the high plateaus and the warmer lowlands within the park there is rich birdlife, with over 180 species of bird found within the national park.
Mountain-side picnic lunch along the trek - 2pm
Hike back to the lodge, freshen up and take some deep rest by the fireplace for the evening. Unwind in different coves of the lodge, cozy up by the fireplace with a book and cup of tea or Ethiopia's finest coffee!
Regroup for Zami family dinner at 7:30pm!
Enjoy an Ethiopian brunch spread at 10am and get ready to depart the lodge by 12 midday!
Head to Gondar airport to catch the 16:25 flight to Addis Ababa where you will be met by the Hyatt Regency's hotel transportation at Bole International airport and transferred to our hotel for the next 3 nights. Relax, sit back and enjoy the drive...it will take no more than 30 minutes to reach your destination.
Guests will have the chance to settle into their rooms and freshen up.
Join us for sundowners at the Cascada bar and our first circle time in Addis Ababa to reintroduce ourselves and set our intentions for the next segment of the retreat.
Enjoy Zami family dinner served at 8:30pm.
Start your day with a delicious breakfast spread filled with fruits, juices, teas and nourishments at 9am.
We will head out for a day of activities in the city including art, culture and nature, visiting Sabahar textiles workshop and Zoma Gardens.
Lunch/Free time - 2pm
It's time to sample some Ethiopian buna! Join us for our first Ethiopian coffee ceremony in Addis Ababa.
Return to the hotel to freshen up before regrouping for sundowners on the rooftop at sunset and for Zami family dinner served at 7:30pm.
Get ready for an evening of Ethiopian Jazz! We're headed to Fendika cultural centre, one of the city's magical Azmari Bets (traditional folk music house) and home to Ethiocolour!
Start your day with breakfast before heading out for a city tour around Piassa.
Lunch 2pm - Sample Ethiopian Beyaynetu, a selection of vegan delights served on Injera - family style.
After lunch, we'll tour the city's rich tapestry of artists and creatives before sampling some of Ethiopia's finest coffee.
Close the day with a sunset walk through Friendship Park and watch the evening light show.
Head back to the hotel where you can unwind, relax and freshen up for Zami family dinner at 7:30pm followed by an evening of traditional Ethiopian music and dancing.
Catch an early night's rest as tomorrow you will be departing Ethiopia.
Enjoy an Ethiopian breakfast spread and get ready to check out of the Hyatt Regency by midday.
Guests will be transferred to Bole International Airport for onward flights back to your respective home countries.
Thank you so much for sharing your love and presence with Zami Collective, you have left a collective dreamprint in the rolling mountains of Ethiopia.
