Africa

Africa Journey

We journey to Gabon regularly to reconnect with our beloved teachers of the Missoko Bwiti and the Maboundi (women’s tradition).

We feel that the relationships that hold the medicine are just as important as the medicine itself. Ongoing and consistent connection and mentorship with our indigenous teachers and the cultural roots of the Bwiti is vital.

Initial journeys are preparation for initiation.

We have found that traditional initiation is most fruitful when relationships are nurtured first: with Iboga, the motherland, the community, the spiritual mother or father, and most importantly, with one’s Self—through deeper preliminary healing in Gabon.

This journey is a true cultural immersion.

The first initiation is truly just the beginning

of the journey with Iboga and Bwiti. There are more advanced initiations to experience, especially for those who are learning to serve medicine and hold ceremony for others. Even after receiving all the advanced initiations, as sacred medicine facilitators, we feel we must continue to learn and have supervision from older, wiser, more experienced teachers—for our entire lives.

Learn more about our Bwiti Healer’s School

Going to Gabon is a serious journey. It is not a typical retreat or “vacation.” It should not be undertaken for novelty, but rather clear spiritual intentions. It is also not an ideal option for those in acute crisis. The journey to Gabon requires a certain level of mental, physical, and spiritual strength.

Sometimes people say, “I want to experience Iboga for the first time in its native land and culture.” While we respect this sentiment, we have seen that it is not generally beneficial for people to go straight to Gabon to experience Iboga for the first time; it can even be counter-productive.

It can generally be best for people from the Western world to first join us closer to home—and this is also the perspective of our Bwiti elders. There may be exceptions depending on the individual.

Experiencing Iboga and Bwiti informed ceremony prior to visiting Gabon provides an intimate introduction to this most powerful sacred medicine on earth and also to this strong tradition—in a comfortable space closer to home. In this way, people can develop a relationship with the medicine and tradition prior to going into the heart of the jungle and a radically different culture, which can be a vulnerable experience.

There may be exceptions for people to go straight to Gabon who have extensive prior experience with Iboga and/or time with indigenous communities in nature. If you are interested in joining us for the Gabon journey and this criteria applies to you, you can request a complimentary consultation:

Retreat Application Form

We come to Gabon not as “customers of adventure,” but rather as respectful students and devotees, willing to put aside our Western attachments to comfort and privilege and embrace a new world and way of knowing.

The guests who join us are well prepared with information about travel logistics, safety, proper gear and clothing, bug protection, visa requirements, the culture, and proper etiquette.

We have built a quality multi-room structure in our teacher’s village that serves as a hospitable dormitory for international students, thanks to generous patrons who help to support our collaborative reciprocity projects. It features a solid structure, window screens, running water, electricity, and wifi. We provide 3 meals per day prepared by a chef and ample clean water.