WILD SELF

A TRANSFORMATIVE WILDERNESS TRAIL

Step away from the life you know. The emails, the meetings, the endless to-do lists, all fade behind you.

It’s early morning as we set off for our first walk. The air is cool, the sun rising behind the ancient baobab tree. Sevara, our nature guide — grounded, gentle, and deeply at home in this land — pauses to study fresh tracks in the sand. Broad, round prints with clear ridges: elephants passed recently. Ahead, a small herd moves silently through the bush. Awe rises in you. Your senses awaken, your heart opens, and for the first time in a long while, you feel fully present, alive, and in tune with something vast and wild.

Discover Your Wild Self is a transformative 7-day leadership trail through Botswana’s untouched wilderness. In a small group of up to seven, guided by an experienced local nature guide and skilled leadership facilitators, you’ll walk through wild landscapes, sleep under the stars, and explore your inner world through guided reflection and exercises.

If you’re at a personal or professional crossroads and seeking clarity, inspiration, or a renewed sense of aliveness, this is your invitation. Step into the wild, reconnect with yourself, and discover what’s truly possible.

This trail is for those who sense there’s more to life than the next meeting, milestone, or moment of escape. For those who’ve achieved much, yet quietly wonder, “What now?” or “What else?”

This trail is for you if:

• You’re in transition and seeking clarity about your next step, personally or professionally.

• You feel depleted, restless, or disconnected from your deeper sense of purpose and aliveness.

• You long to slow down, to breathe, and to remember what truly matters, away from noise, screens, and obligations.

• You’re drawn to the wild, not for adrenaline, but for the quiet adventure of rediscovering yourself beneath the surface of your busy life.

IS YOUR WILD SELF CALLING YOU?

There are many ways to travel, but few that guide you back home to yourself. This trail is not about ticking boxes or chasing achievement. It’s about slowing down, shedding layers, and listening deeply to what life is asking of you now.

You’ll walk away with:

• Clarity & direction: Through guided reflection, silence, and honest conversation, you’ll reconnect with what truly matters, and return with a renewed sense of purpose and perspective.

• Inner strength & stillness: Immersed in Botswana’s vast and untamed wilderness, you’ll remember what it feels like to be grounded, calm, and vividly alive.

• Meaningful connections: You’ll walk alongside others on a similar journey. Held by nature, supported by skilled nature guides and facilitators, and met with presence and authenticity, you’ll be seen for who you truly are.

WHY JOIN THIS LEADERSHIP TRAIL?

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE LEADERSHIP TRAIL?

Thursday 14 May — Arrival: Touch down in Maun’s warm, dusty air and drive two hours to an unfenced base camp in a private Okavango Delta concession where wildlife roams freely and the adventure begins.

Friday 15 to Sunday 17 May — Journey Into the wild: As the morning sun warms the land, we set off on a hike deeper into the bush to set up a satellite camp. Afternoons invite quiet reflection before tracking wildlife and tuning into the wild’s gentle rhythm. Evenings glow with dinner and stories around the campfire beneath a vast, starlit sky.

Monday 18 May — Rest & reflection: A full day to slow down, journal, and soak in the deep stillness of the wild so that you can turn inward and recharge.

Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 May — Deeper into the wild: We pack and move our camp, flowing with our rhythm of sunrise hikes, shared meals, inner work, and sunset walks. We drop fully into nature’s pulse, and our own, before returning to base camp Thursday afternoon.

Friday 22 May — Departure: Morning coffee as the sun rises over the Delta. We journey back to Maun and fly home, reconnected with your wild self, renewed and deeply alive.

Rick’s life is rooted in a deep love for Africa, wild places, and meaningful adventure, paired with a natural gift for guiding others back to their true path.

Raised partly in Ghana and Sudan, his connection to Africa runs deep. From climbing Kilimanjaro to cycling 7,000 km from Cape Town to Nairobi, and endless safaris through East- and Southern Africa, his African adventures are vast.

After burnout at McKinsey in 2015, Rick went on a spiritual journey in search of his wild self. Now, as an accredited FGASA nature guide, life coach and independent strategy consultant, Rick leads retreats and leadership trails in the wild that help others reconnect with their wild self, purpose and aliveness.

RICK DE GAAY FORTMAN

SEVARA KATSOTSO

Sevara was born in a small village deep in the Okavango Delta, where the wild is woven into everyday life. With over 20 years guiding, he is recognized as one of Botswana’s best: a charismatic leader whose great sense of humor and calm presence instantly make you feel safe.

His ability to track wildlife is exceptional, reading the land with deep respect and skill, allowing guests to witness nature’s wonders up close. Sevara’s passion for the wild runs in his DNA, shaped by a lifetime in this unique landscape.

Fully licensed and qualified, he has spent countless hours on foot in the bush. Beyond guiding, Sevara mentors future nature guides at the African Guiding Academy, sharing his love and knowledge of the wild.

MEET YOUR GUIDES

"Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who you should be?"

- Charles Bukowski

DISCOVER YOUR WILD SELF 2025 EDITION

WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

• Investment

  • Early bird (till 30 Dec 2025): €3,950 (excl. VAT)

  • After 30 Dec 2025: €4,450 (excl. VAT)

• What's included

  • 3 meals per day during the leadership trail

  • Camping gear: tent, sleeping mat, and sleeping bag

  • 2 nights at base camp and 6 nights in the wild

  • Transport from Maun Airport to base camp and back

• What's not included

  • Flights to and from Maun, Botswana

  • Travel and medical insurance (required)

  • Personal drinks and snacks

ABOUT BOTSWANA

Botswana is a peaceful and democratic country in Southern Africa, known for its vast, sunbaked plains and the quiet stillness of the Kalahari Desert. It borders South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

With just over 2.4 million people spread across a land area the size of France, it is one of the most sparsely populated places on Earth. Most citizens are Tswana, whose ancestors settled here over a thousand years ago.

A former British protectorate called Bechuanaland, Botswana became independent in 1966 and has held free elections ever since. It is now considered the least corrupt country in mainland Africa. Its economy, built on diamonds and tourism, has helped create one of the highest living standards in Sub-Saharan Africa.

ABOUT THE OKAVANGO DELTA

The jewel of Botswana's tourism industry is the Okavango Delta—a lush, wild paradise in northern Botswana, where the Okavango River spills out into the dry Kalahari Desert. Instead of flowing to the sea, the water fans out into a vast network of winding channels, lagoons, and islands that appear like a miracle in the middle of the sand.

Each year, the river floods the delta, bringing life to the land. The water spreads slowly across grassy plains, drawing herds of elephants, antelope, and buffalo, along with lions, leopards, and countless birds. The air buzzes with insects, the reeds rustle in the breeze, and hippos grunt in the water at dusk.

At its heart lies the Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s richest wildlife areas. This untouched wilderness was named one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—a rare gem where water, land, and wildlife come together in breathtaking harmony.

INTO THE WILD: BOTSWANA AND THE OKAVANGO DELTA

Embarking on a journey into the wild, and into yourself, naturally stirs questions. Below, you’ll find answers to the most common inquiries about this leadership trail: from practical details to what you can expect along the way. We hope this helps you feel prepared, supported, and excited to take this meaningful step toward clarity, connection, and adventure.

FAQ's

BOOK A DISCOVERY CALL WITH RICK

Have questions? Ready to say yes to this transformational journey? Whether you want to learn more or secure your place on the leadership trail, I'm here to help. This is your space to explore any questions you might have, feel into whether the trail is a fit, and get a sense of the journey that awaits. I look forward to meeting you.

MAKE AN ENQUIRY

Prefer to write instead? No problem. Send me a message with any questions or thoughts you have. I’ll personally read and reply, and I’m happy to guide you from there.

READY TO SAY YES TO THIS TRANSFORMA-TIONAL JOURNEY? GET IN TOUCH!