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Leadership Retreat at Lamai Safari

7 days in South Africa – renewed calm, energy, and clarity of action

Personal growth and leadership embraced by nature.

Join us for a transformative leadership retreat in the heart of Africa, where the untamed wilderness sets the stage for personal growth, deep peace, and fresh perspective. Over seven enriching days, we blend personal coaching, reflection, and guided bush safaris with intimate, warm fellowship. A unique opportunity to pause daily life and step into a journey that strengthens both your leadership and your well-being. From 01 December to 08 December 2025. The retreat spans 7 days, focusing on purposeful wilderness activities designed to provide you with tools for personal growth and lasting mental and physical vitality. With enhanced well-being comes greater effectiveness at work and at home, fostering a healthier, more balanced life.

Pause the demands of executive life and discover deeper insight into yourself and your leadership. Across eight transformative days surrounded by magnificent nature, you will find peace, space, and tools to reflect on your leadership foundation and personal path. You will gain greater self-understanding, renewed energy, and decisive clarity through deep conversations with fellow leaders, personal coaching, and expertly facilitated sessions.

Purposeful activities with lasting impact

Each day features a thoughtfully curated selection of nature-based therapeutic activities and tools, all designed to reconnect you with the natural world and your inner self—helping you unlock your needs, resources, joy, and inner peace. The program also provides practical pathways to sustain these positive changes long after you return home.

We gather as an intimate group of maximum 10 participants guided by three facilitators. Together, we create a supportive, trusting community where you can achieve meaningful personal breakthroughs and return home with a cherished new network.

Initial consultation and personal coaching

To ensure we create true value for you, we begin with an introductory conversation to align expectations and explore what you personally wish to achieve. Throughout the journey, we will work toward these aspirations in your one-on-one coaching—a tailored, hands-on path of personal growth connecting you deeply with yourself and the wilderness.

Nature inspires reflection and growth

Nature offers something truly profound—especially as a sanctuary for leadership development. The majestic African wild creates an extraordinary setting where we can rediscover ourselves, build resilience, and unwind like nowhere else on Earth. Far from home, we leave daily routines behind to see ourselves and our lives from a fresh perspective, creating ideal conditions for reflection and growth. Throughout the retreat, nature therapy is woven seamlessly into the development journey.

 With this harmonious blend of unforgettable safari adventures and focused development, we invite leaders into the heart of the South African bush to experience the rare, restorative calm that only authentic wilderness can provide.

Here, peace allows leadership development to flourish as outdoor wilderness experiences merge with deep learning. We cultivate time to think, unlocking creativity and vision.

This allows us to offer personal leadership development in tranquil, secluded, and partially off-grid surroundings, enabling you to be fully present and let nature’s timeless magic touch every aspect of your personal leadership journey.

Throughout the week, our daily rhythm encompasses personal coaching, gatherings around the fire, silent walks, delicious fire-cooked meals, gentle movement, mindfulness, tales of nature, culture, and wellness, as well as sensory and awareness exercises and more. We embark on daily safaris to encounter the wildlife of the bush, and harvest game for our dinners during the week. 

Program for the week

The team behind the retreat

Niels Søndergaard, Jens Jakob Grundvad, and Hother Hennings are a highly experienced team who together have led hundreds of events and nature therapy sessions, bringing a deep understanding of human strengths and vulnerability.

Niels Søndergaard

Experience in leadership and strategy

I have worked with personnel, strategic, and change management for over 25 years. I serve as Head of Department at Danmarks Jægerforbund (the Danish Hunters' Association), a politically governed non-profit organization, overseeing Wildlife Management, Advocacy, and Education. Previously, I was a director at HedeDanmark A/S, a leading green services enterprise, where I established an advisory division for the strategic development of forestry, agricultural, and natural estates. My leadership background spans volunteers, employees, interest groups, corporations, and public authorities, covering development projects, strategic partnerships, business growth, and democratic decision-making processes. I also frequently serve as a moderator and debate facilitator at conferences and forums.

Additionally, I bring board experience from folk high schools, advocacy groups, media companies, sustainable tourism, and retail. I write professional articles, columns, and books, and contribute to educational and informational literature. Trained in forestry, wildlife management, and leadership, I have extensive leadership experience in national and international conservation focusing on wildlife and communities.

Human insight and the power of nature

I am an attentive listener with a deep curiosity about the human dynamics in change management and fostering ownership. Building genuine followership in leadership roles is a key passion of mine. Warm relationships and a sense of humor are, to me, essential ingredients for success.

Nature has always been an integral part of my life as a scout, angler, and hunter. In my professional life, nature has been my foundation ever since I began as an apprentice forester at age 15. Over time, I have truly come to understand the power of nature and its restorative impact on human well-being and effective leadership.

I am 53 years old, married, and a father of three. My passions include kitchen gardening, gastronomy, fine wine, hunting, fishing, spearfishing, and fitness: road cycling, mountain biking, indoor rowing, and cross-country skiing—participating annually in the Vasaloppet in Sweden.

Jens Jakob Grundvad

Experience and background

I am a psychotherapist, physical therapist, nature therapist, and supervisor with extensive hands-on experience working alongside talented people. I run my own consultancy, "Aktionspotentiale," serving as a supervisor and executive coach for professionals at all levels while supporting organizational development.

For the past 15 years, I have worked with focused, purposeful facilitation to empower individuals and organizations. I employ simple, intuitive methods that are easy to understand and integrate. I have developed practical tools that foster lasting growth and can be applied directly by each individual.

The role of nature in personal growth

I have a lifelong practice of using nature to cultivate well-being and purposeful focus. For the past 4 years, I have worked intensively with group growth and potential in natural environments using nature therapy methods, often alongside my colleague Hother Hennings. Nature possesses an inherent calm and growth potential that naturally facilitates deep personal development when we connect with it.

I am dedicated to effective, simple personal growth, grounded in integrity and straightforward communication. I have cultivated the art of simply being, staying active, and finding genuine contentment in the present. I strive to be direct, approachable, and considerate in every encounter, both professionally and personally, always bringing warmth, wit, and humor. I am 62 years old and have been an independent business owner since 2008. My personal interests include self-development, communication, and education, alongside reading fiction and non-fiction. I am married and a father of three. I have enjoyed fishing for 55 years and running for 44 years, alongside good company, ball games, cards, gardening, and cooking.

Hother Hennings

Experience in leadership and strategy

I have worked with leadership, business development, and strategy for more than 30 years across both small and large private enterprises. This includes start-ups (Autoproff and Aros Adventure) as well as executive roles in established media and publishing companies (Lokalaviserne Østjylland A/S, Hornslet Bogtrykkeri A/S, and Politikens Lokalaviser).

Throughout my career, I have gathered solid leadership experience guiding and developing teams, including managing complex professional organizations of up to 130 employees over several years. I also hold a degree in economics.

Nature, organizations, and development

My experience also extends to leading volunteers at both operational and strategic levels within the Scout movement and competitive rowing. I have directed development projects, led fundraising initiatives, and gained extensive board experience. Today, I am the owner of Aros Adventure, where I work professionally with nature and heritage communication and organizational development for companies and private clients. I am also a public speaker and host of the historical TV series “En rejse i tiden” on DK4.

Since childhood, I have lived close to nature as a scout, rower, hunter, and angler, and have served as a tour leader and glacier guide for the Norwegian Trekking Association and Greenland Tourism. Since 2019, I have also practiced as a nature therapist, helping individuals and teams unlock their potential in natural settings, often collaborating with my colleague Jens Jakob Grundvad. My key focus areas include stress management, self-leadership, resilience, and clear, authentic leadership.

 

I realized early on how positively nature affected me, and have since used time outdoors to restore calm and perspective during demanding times. As a person, I am grounded, calm, present, and accepting of others just as they are. I am 58 years old, living with my partner, and have two adult children and two bonus children. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, cooking, history, hiking, rowing, cycling, and cross-country skiing, including competing in the annual Vasaloppet.

Registration

To register, please email: info@stafr.eu

The tour operator is WeDoHunt/Lamai Safari Denmark in collaboration with STAFR

 WeDoHunt/Lamai Safari can assist with flight recommendations between Denmark and South Africa, as well as any questions regarding accommodation.

Practical information

Please direct inquiries regarding the course content to;

Hother Hennings by phone +45 21516767 / info@stafr.eu

27.500,-

Included:

  • 7 days with full board.
  • Leadership course, facilitation, and coaching.
  • Transfers to and from Hoedspruit Airport.
  • Pick-up and drop-off at HDS Airport.
  • 6 nights in a single room.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
  • Coffee, tea, juice, and rusks available all day – fresh fruit every afternoon.
  • Leadership course according to the itinerary.
  • Game drives/safaris according to the itinerary.
  • Travel Guarantee Fund fee.

Not included:

  • Flights between Denmark and Hoedspruit Airport
  • – arrival December 1st, departure December 8th.
  • Beverages - settled prior to departure.
  • Vaccinations and any malaria medication.
  • Travel and cancellation insurance (recommended).
  • Personal expenses during the stay.
  • Optional additional activities during your stay.
  • Optional extra safari nights.
  • Staff gratuities at the lodge.
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