Experience Africa like never before
Join me for exceptional food & experiences, where cultures unite and hearts ignite. Inspired by the treasured recipes & stories in my cookbook Africana, and with my love for the African continent and a passion for travel, Africana retreats was born. I dreamed of a harmonious marriage of organic cooking & sustainable living, luxury and home comforts, with rich cultural immersion, all for you to enjoy. Now that dream has come to life, as we travel together, across the continent, one country at a time. Can't join our group retreats, lets plan your own private once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
UPCOMING DESTINATIONS
SOUTH AFRICA & SENEGAL 2026
Two new retreats launching in 2026
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MOROCCO 2025
Over a week of exceptional food and experiences from the Medina of Marrakesh to the Atlas Mountains, to the desert and the coast
From: £3,890 per person (Double Occupancy - 2 guests booking together)
£4,890 (Single Occupancy - One guest only)
NEW DATES
June 19th - 27th 2025
October 22nd - 30th 2025
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Previous Retreats
Oct 2024 (NOW SOLD OUT)
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Please Note
Our retreats are intimate, with a maximum of 10 people on each trip, and limited spaces sell out quickly. Our community members, starting from paid newsletter members, are the first to receive notifications of spaces on our retreats via the newsletter. Please sign up for the waiting list to register your interest, and we will get back to you as soon as possible with news on availability.
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TANZANIA & KENYA 2025
From the coast and spice island of Zanzibar to the Kenyan Safari
September 19th - 22nd 2025
Last few spaces left and a new Sep/Oct date to be announced
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Our retreats are intimate, with a maximum of 10 people on each trip, and limited spaces sell out quickly. Our community members, starting from paid newsletter members, are the first to receive notifications of spaces on our retreats via the newsletter. Please sign up for the waiting list to register your interest, and we will get back to you as soon as possible with news on availability.
How to join our luxury cookery retreats?
Join the waiting list for a chance to book the limited space available on our retreats. Only 10 spots are available on each trip and those on our newsletter & waiting list are given first priority to book. See upcoming dates above.
Highlights of our cookery retreats include
Travel with an award-winning author, chef & broadcaster
with a passion & extensive knowledge of Africa,
and like-minded food lovers from across the world
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Empower and be inspired by the phenomenal local women as we cook with them in the mountains, on the farms, by the sea and even in 5-star hotels
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Explore hidden gems and
fascinating history & culture of each destination
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Enjoy nourishing, freshly cooked
organic & seasonal food daily
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Repose in beautiful lodgings from
a mix of *5-star hotels and or our luxurious villas and mud huts with
stunning and eco-conscious architectural design
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Enjoy immersive feasts & cooking classes with Lerato,
African Mamas & the best local cookery schools
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Experience the thrill of vibrant African markets
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A growing network of multilingual local guides,
chefs & partner hospitality & concierge professionals
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Explore multiple locations across the country,
while on a relaxed & well-paced journey
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Receive a signed copy of Africana & welcome gift
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And many more memorable experiences
Memories from our inaugural retreat in Ghana
Kempinski, Our hotel partner in Accra
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Memories from our previous guests
"The trip of a lifetime! The food! Oh, the food! Fresh, organic and prepared to perfection! Excellent host and amazing company. Lerato thought of it all. So many different flavours teased my palate. Her team were amazing and catered to my every need. Thank you for the wonderful memories."
Diunde Smith, from Bermuda
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"With careful attention and love on Africana Cookery Retreat, the variety of food prepared by Lerato and her team was scrumptious, and the accommodation was excellent, tucked in a secluded breathtaking location with awesome scenery. I highly recommend this cookery retreat to all. Go and explore the beauty that Africa has to offer."
Emily, from London
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"Ghana, the food, the company all made for a great time. Everyone loved their gifts. They are asking about the food. They want me to cook some of your recipes. I loved that you chose such a beautiful and tranquil lodge. I loved the food! There wasn't anything I didn't like. The excursions gave me a good insight into the diversity of Ghana.”
Marilyn, from Bermuda
“It is a glorious book: an education and an invitation. There is such life in its pages, and such food!”
"An Outstanding new book that will wake up your taste buds. Lerato is a genius with flavours."
Delicious magazine
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"No plantains will go to waste with this book nearby"
BBC Good Food
Who are our holidays for?
Although I call these cooking holidays, our holidays are retreats for food lovers, that combine relaxation, culture, and an abundance of organic, fresh and seasonal food. All while learning to cook both traditional and modern recipes that you can apply to your own home cooking, all at a pace that feels comfortable for you. The very first person who booked our first & second retreat absolutely hates cooking but she loves food. She loved the first one so much she immediately booked the second. So, if you love food, you will love joining me on these wonderful experience of a lifetime.
Looking after the people & the planet
To give back to the people who have looked after us and inspired this journey, we will be supporting community projects and organisations that work to empower the locals of our host countries, especially organisations that protect women and children, those who provide opportunities for good jobs, adequate healthcare and education for families. And to look after our planet, I have also combined my love of food, travel and sumptuous comfort, with regeneration and sustability, by working with partners who are eco-conscious and active. I am working with those who create spaces like our solar powered lodges in Ghana & Morocco and all our future locations, including farms, community gardens and organisations who provide organic produce for our feasts and cookery classes. These are the values that I care about and support and by joining my holidays you are supporting them too.
Now, all you have to do is book your place on our holiday, book your flights, prepare to travel and leave the rest to me and our amazing team to create a most memorable experience for you.
*Prices are per person and based on double occupancy & single occupancy.* Great for friends, family or couples. Just a few single occupancy rooms available.*
*Flights, visas and insurance are not included.
To be the first on the list for our retreats or if you will like to organise a private trip, please click ok the link below or send enquiries to cook@leratofoods.com
Your Host
Lerato is an award winning author, a chef and broadcaster. A wanderer who loves to bring people together through food.
She is a member of the panel of the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 show - The Kitchen Cabinet.
Listen here.
Lerato’s writing and recipes have been featured in some of the world's best read publications such as
National Geographic, Delicious Magazine, Guardian and she can be seen cooking her vibrant recipes on television.
She is growing a community of food lovers, from the public to celebrities who enjoy her vibrant recipes. Her debut cookbook, Africana hit the bestseller list and has been featured in Best Books of 2022 by Diana Henry in the Telegraph, Waitrose Book of the week, BBC Good Food, Red Magazine and more.
Also named in the coveted ‘best of’ list in the Observer Food Monthly. Lerato teaches cookery and works with a wide range of organisations including social enterprises and even gardening charity, the RHS to promote vibrant cooking with fresh ingredients.
