Testimonials Of Darkness Retreat
REST | REJUVENATION | REVELATION
We invite you to delve into the profound world of darkness retreats, where our guests have embarked on a journey of rest, introspection, healing, and personal growth like never before.
Let the voices of those who have ventured into the depths of darkness with us illuminate your path forward.
Explore the powerful testimonials of Darkness Retreat from our cherished clients, whose stories bear witness to the impact of their experiences.
Darkness Retreat Africa Client Experiences
Medicine Woman isolates for 4 days in Complete Darkness
By Dr Leila Sadien
My Darkness Retreat Relavations
By Makgati Mokwena, Pilgram In Heels
“It was very very special! A blind date with myself – and just what I deeply needed… It ticked my box for living the contemplative mystic’s life – on steroids! I guess if you need a shake up the dark might bring that too, but for this time: a deep nourishing caring, grateful, loving, connection with What is. Clear and simple.
I can also highly recommend Jaijai’s special holding space and silent support! I knew I loved the Light, but now I know I can love through the dark too. It does however take some time and disorientation to adapt back to “normal life” of fast brightness and noise. I expect to still land for some time…
Eleen Polson:
Counselling Psychologist & Expressive Arts Therapist.
I Felt So Incredibly At Home In The Dark
After a few days in, I felt so incredibly at home in the dark !
I felt then that there was nothing more meaningful I could be doing with my time – but to be & practice in the darkness. I knew there were walls around, yet I felt surrounded by infinite space. (Luckily I was able to extend from 4 to 11 days.)
Jaijai’s delicious food & loving-care came to nourish me on this most precious journey.
Antoine
June 2023
What A Fascinating Experience
Wow! What a fascinating experience that was. Even a relatively short dark retreat of three nights/two-and-a-half days … or should that be three nights/two-and-a-half nights … served up interesting effects such as time distortion, deep relaxation, and the sort of intense self-reflection that arises when one is left alone with one’s thoughts.
JaiJai is a warm and kind host, and brings just the right skills to the powerful practice that is darkness therapy. Her place is perfectly located in a leafy and peaceful part of the city. Also I can confirm that the room is a true darkroom. Though the mind plays tricks on you when you’ve been in the dark awhile, with mini hallucinations, there was definitely no actual light present in the room during my stay. It is very well constructed and fit for purpose. It’s also thoughtfully laid out and I had no problems moving around safely during my time there.
As for the experience: Unlike anything else I’d ever experienced. It’s quite something sitting in true complete darkness, bereft of any sort of external distraction. Other than anything else, it was extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. Considering how inundated we all are with external stimuli demanding our attention nowadays, from emails and WhatsApps to social and other media, the intentional sensory deprivation that is darkness therapy really is the ultimate practice for our times. I can’t wait to return for a longer retreat when circumstances allow.
Lance
September 2023
The Mysterious Dark - An Unexpected Alluring & Magnetic Force
She is powerful. But until I immersed in a solo, unsupported 42 hour continuous experience in the deepest dark, Yin of existence, I never understood what was the “Dark Mother.”
In time, I came to feel deeply held by Her as though in an infinite womb while I went on an unexpected rollercoaster. For this reason, and for the ability to completely let go into the experience, I highly recommend doing a supported journey to both prepare you, and after-care you.
After chatting with Jaijai I am now aware of several naive mistakes I could avoided. Mistakes aside, the Dark Retreat was a step into a world I have not so consciously experienced.
I highly recommend it. Even if the Yin of night, balances the day, I’m not so keenly conscious of the dark in my slumber. The full experience was as big as any plant medicine I’ve had, and is still unfolding. I experienced unboundedness and some disorientation with that
My bathroom dark-space felt as infinitely big as my living room. I was continually drawn-in, and in, and in to this unbounded dark and purply unendingness.
Although I did not achieve “Nirvana,” nor was I able to sit in hours of stillness, or achieve spectacular insights, my body did much unwinding and spontaneous movement and groaning.
I knew this was all the layers of living that needed to shed. I didn’t fight it. Though not spectacular, I had many quiet, mini-creative insights, which in retrospect feels appropriately Yin and feminine.
I had moments of despair and some erotic impulses and many moments of feeling “oh, how curious!”
What I knew was the delicious unshackling from my ever present and intrusive electronic devices with which I hope to find an augmented relationship.
What I knew, was my need to continually bow to all as is and remain open to that which I cannot know. What I knew, was moments of peace even in the movement. What I knew was that in this moment of life, I am doing all I need to do.
Cheers to the experience of all of life
I wish you an opening journey into the Dark.
Jan Bull, January 2023
Thank You Jai Jai For Holding Such A Supportive Space
The dark room was equipped with everything I could possibly need and your quite, unobtrusive presence brought real peace of mind. Appreciation for catering to my odd nutrition requirements as well.
I love that South Africa now has a dedicated retreat space where I can enter the dark to experience the many gifts it inevitably reveals! Looking forward to my next immersion, 14 days next time please.
I can recommend Darkness Retreat Africa to anyone seeking time and space to deepen into their own soul and essence.
Lorienne
September 2023
Found A Different Me In The Dark
June 2023
I Am Looking Forward To Returning
I had an incredible experience, and am looking forward to returning for longer next time!
The retreat space is wonderful, with every detail having been tended to by Jaijai with so much thoughtfulness and loving care. The meals were delicious, and also prepared with so much love!
My main intention going into the retreat was for deep rest, and I received everything that I was hoping for and more. I felt safe and held throughout, and fell in love with the darkness. The experience was profound, fascinating, insightful, deeply nourishing and transformative – it’s the kind of experience that inevitably leaves one forever changed in some way.
If you feel drawn, I highly recommend Darkness Retreat Africa.
Robyn
July 2023
It's Truly A Gift To The World
The Dark Room is the most profound experience I have ever had.
Every small detail has been carefully thought through to curate the most incredible experience for anyone who enters, and I am counting down the days until I get to go back!! Thank you, JaiJai, for everything you have done to make this happen. It’s truly a gift to the world!
July 2023
An Incredible Experience with Self & God.
An incredible experience with self and God. Jaijai is a safe space and holder. So blessed to have been able to experience this and sit in the darkness of my being. I will be back for further exploration and integration. Thank YOU jai and all who walk with you.
Nakashwa
Jan 2025
An Absolute Rebirt!
A truly impactful experience. With a woman that is extremely powerful. Highly, highly, highly recommend. The clarity, the pain, the peace, the gratitude. The absolute rebirth!
Aston-j Dunbar
Aug 2025
The Quiet reflection in the Dark.
It was a wonderful experience. Jacqui was quiet but always felt her support during the time that I was there. The room is spacious and very comfortable. You have everything you would need. Food was delicious and portion sizes were perfect. I would recommend this to anyone seeking some quiet time to process and reflect.
Kenneth Macomess
July 2025
The Transendance of limitations
Jay Jay holds a beautiful space for you to transcend any limitations. He warmth, guidance and care makes the experience even more meaningful.
Darshana Hansjee
June 2025
Tempted to think about the Dark room experience? Success.
“How complicated can it be to curate for oneself a dark room experience” one is tempted to think!
Jacqui, and her dark room retreat, answers that very quickly, with a myriad of unimaginable, carefully thought out, essential details attended to in her spotless and comfie space.
The pragmatics, as well as her warm-hearted, professional holding of one, from beginning to end, convey the depth of her wisdom experience in these processes. They also allow one to complete let go and feel safe, relaxing into a profound depth of connection with self.
You are very soon sitting with every level and layer of yourself; nowhere to hide and nothing to distract, yet every true need attended to. A wondrous and fruitful two days ~ and next time, it’ll be longer…
Louise Pannell
June 2025
First TImer's Experience
I had the most amazing experience with Darkness Retreat Africa. I did 4 nights and 3 days. I learnt how much I take for granted because I can see. Eating food in the dark, and not been able to see what you are eating was another experience all together for me. I also loved the no distractions and really just been with me. Thank you, Jacqui for a wonderful first-time experience. I will be back again for 3 nights and 2 days.
Many Munro
May 2025
Consistent Darkroomer
I have just completed my 2nd retreat in 2 consecutive months. I have always been a seeker and the darkness has been my greatest teacher. To have no distraction and to see so clearly brings great clarity. It has sped up my personal and healing journey in ways which would of taken me many years otherwise. Every time I leave the retreat my world becomes so much more beautiful. I become truly more powerful. If you are second guessing or cannot understand what the outcome would be, then my advice is to go in and see what the darkness has to show you. It’s where we find our true essence.
Rene Gilbert
Dec 2024
3 Day Darkness Dive
I found the 3 day darkness retreat I did very powerful. I’ve done many thousands of hours of meditation over 45 years and many 10 day retreats, sometimes longer, but this was in a different category to anything else. Even though it was short, it was a significant step change in my inner journey – way more than I could have imagined. Someone said a dark retreat is like ‘meditation times a thousand’ – that not far off. I was spending time in two areas during the retreat – doing psychological deconditioning/repression work (there are many names for this), and also deepening into the more transcendent aspects of myself. Both of these were hugely accelerated by the darkness. The inner psychological contractions needing release became front and centre so much more quickly than in my normal sittings, and the transcendent aspects also became extremely accessible. It seemed like the darkness took me straight to the ground of being – almost in an instant. Those were 3 very significant days in my spiritual life.
Mark Borchers
Retreat Jan 2026
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