November 28, 2025by mvhuyssteen

Redefining wellness travel

The Mantis Wellness Wheel

Wellness is the compass, travel is the journey – together they lead you back to yourself ~ Danny Kaye

We all want different things from a holiday – rest, escape, time in nature, new horizons. Yet, according to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness travel is now one of the fastest-growing segments of global tourism. So, what is it? It’s journeys that promote inner calm, emotional restoration and nature-led revitalisation. And travellers are gravitating towards wellness as an essential part of modern travel, rather than a niche luxury.

With our footprint across biodiverse regions and our long-standing commitment to conservation, community, sustainability and nature immersion, The Mantis Collection is ideally positioned to embrace this shift.

Our philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: Wellness is a state of BE-ing. It is not an add on or a traditional spa offering, it’s a multi-dimensional journey. If you’re craving the calm of the bush, the grounding of wild open spaces or a personalised reset, we invite you to slow down, breathe deeply and rediscover yourself with us.

Travel not to escape life but to return home with a soul that feels lighter and a heart that feels fuller

Holistic wellness is no longer a single offering, it’s an ecosystem. Every thought, word and experience influences our wellbeing. It’s about slowing down, connecting, embracing digital muting and spending time alone in nature.

The introduction of our ‘Wellness Wheel’, focuses on five, interconnected dimensions:

Physical: To revitalise your body and awaken the senses
Mental: Calm, clarity and quiet reflection
Emotional: Meaningful connection with yourself and others to nurture balance
Spiritual: Inner peace and perspective through experiences that inspire
Environmental: Harmony with nature and community, a cornerstone of the Mantis brand

Together these elements create an immersive, nature-led experience. You won’t just relax … you’ll recalibrate.

We travel, initially, to lose ourselves and we travel, next, to find ourselves ~ Pico Iyer

Nature – the new luxury

In a world of constant noise and overstimulation, we all crave simplicity. Science confirms what we intuitively know: Nature is the ultimate healer. At Mantis, we offer it in its purest form.

Being surrounded by pristine wilderness reduces stress, boosts creativity, improves sleep and restores emotional balance. Our properties, set within biodiverse reserves, coastal havens and extraordinary landscapes, invite you to unplug and reconnect. Here, nature isn’t a backdrop. It’s quiet, expansive, unhurried – one of the most powerful wellness tools.

The bush offers the ideal antidote to modern life: Uncluttered horizons, open plains, wildlife and the soothing soundtrack of the natural world. It’s a time to breathe deeper, to reflect, to stretch and to find yourself.

When you wander with intention, every step becomes a form of self-care

Embracing the slow safari

We’re also seeing a move from high-adrenaline, schedule-packed itineraries to personalised, slow safaris, where experiences are designed to reconnect guests with the rhythm of the land. The natural sounds … from the trickling of water, rustling of leaves, to the scent of the earth, all help reduce sensory overload.

Depending on the property and its location, gentler interactions could include activities such as nature walks through to wild-life inspired mindfulness experiences, conservation focused programmes, tree-planting, stargazing meditation, breathwork … and more.

It’s not a generic ‘one size fits all’.
It’s your journey, designed your way.

Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create ~ Jana Kingsford

The future of wellness

At Mantis, you’re not just a guest. You’re a traveller seeking a deeper connection to nature and yourself. This is more than a holiday, it’s a transformation.

We invite you into spaces where wellness, within nature, is lived and felt.

It’s quiet, intentional and deeply personal.
Rooted in some of the world’s most extraordinary environments.

This is the Mantis state of BE-ing.

The best souvenirs are the calm mornings, deep breaths and moments of awe you collect along the way