Adventure · Fitness · Retreat · Africa
Wild Fit Free was created for people who want to discover Africa — a week to play the sport they love, wake up overlooking the ocean, and recharge in complete luxury, in one of the most beautiful corners of the world.
We bring together world-class pickleball, African safari, ocean adventure, fine dining and genuine human connection into a single, seamless seven-day experience. Every detail is handled, so all you have to do is arrive.
United by an accidental meeting years ago and a shared love of nature, animals, adventure, sport and independence, the Wild Fit Free founders have grown into family — a bond only deepened by building this retreat together.
Your Host
An entrepreneur with 30+ years’ experience, Yvonne brings a passion for ideas, people and organisation to every detail of WFF. As your daily go-to and ever-present host, she’ll accompany you to every activity, making sure you’re having the time of your life. A pickleball newcomer who’s already hooked, Yvonne’s other great love is horses.
Your Culinary Guide
With a flair for marketing and food, Angie works hand-in-hand with our private chef and top local restaurants to craft a gourmet dining experience at every turn — and keeps the villa stocked and guests hydrated and snack-ready throughout the day. Warm, gentle and endlessly caring, Angie is your go-to for catering and special requests, and loves nothing more than a family game of pickleball.
Your Program Curator
A trained architect and designer with a 25-year international career, Katja traded a life of travel for the Garden Route, settling in South Africa in 2016 and later buying her own slice of Plettenberg Bay. Her eye for detail ensures every element of WFF runs with precision, delivering a truly luxury African experience. Katja is your go-to for bookings and program enquiries.
Your Pickleball Expert
President of Pickleball South Africa and a certified coach, Ismail is the driving force behind Wild Fit Free’s pickleball retreats. An early investor in South African pickleball, he helped develop four dedicated facilities that laid the foundation for the sport’s growth nationwide. Beyond the court he is a technology entrepreneur and sports-ecosystem builder with 20+ years across technology, wellness, education and sport — founder of Neuro Active Learning and livP Wellness Solutions.
Along South Africa’s iconic Garden Route — recently voted one of the world’s greatest road trips — Plettenberg Bay is where luxury, nature and adventure meet. Pristine beaches, indigenous forests, dramatic coastlines and warm Indian Ocean waters create a setting that is both invigorating and deeply restorative.
Our founding series is just the beginning. Wild Fit Free is a growing family of fitness and lifestyle retreats — each one intimate, intentional and unmistakably premium. Pickleball is where we start; extraordinary experiences are where we’re going.