10 Best Iboga Retreats for 2024
Iboga might not be as widely known as ayahuasca, but this plant is definitely making waves in the world of psychedelic therapy and holistic healing. Read on to learn exactly what iboga is, and to discover where you can explore this treatment for yourself.
What is iboga?
Iboga comes from the roots of the iboga tree — which is small, shrub-like, and found in the jungles of Central West Africa. More notably, iboga is the chief spirit plant for many tribes and indigenous populations in Gabon (and neighboring nations). Iboga is often used within a spiritual discipline called Bwiti, as this plant is believed to have powerful and benevolent energy.
In fact, iboga has been used for thousands of years to aid in physical and spiritual healings, as well as spiritual self-discovery. It’s said that this plant has psycho-spiritual properties because the roots grow deep inside the Earth where they soak up the wisdom of nature and of life itself. These days, there are retreats throughout Europe and North America where guests can experience the power of iboga for themselves. During these retreats, participants journey to the deepest parts of their consciousness, and then slowly reawaken to the simplicity of life.
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10 best iboga retreats for 2024
1. Sacred Wood Retreats
Sacred Wood Retreats provides an authentic traditional route of healing and learning that has been developed over thousands of years by the Bwiti. Their Ngangas and Mabundi carry on the tradition with integrity by putting in years of education required to understand and work with Iboga/Bwiti Tradition. For those willing to face their own darkness and do the work required for transformation, their team will help you in healing addiction, removing anxiety, and healing trauma, among other ailments. They also help you to better understand who you are and why you're here by helping facilitate a life-changing connection between you, your own soul, the Bwiti, and Iboga.
Location(s): Spain
Price range: starting at $4,000 for a 5-day retreat
Contact them by emailing Sacredwoodretreats@gmail.com with the code SITESEE for 10% off!
2. Ikara Retreat Center
Ikara Retreat Centers are a healing place where ‘self meets soul.’ This company hosts retreats in a total of five countries, though their website currently shows openings in just three: Costa Rica, Portugal, and Canada. Regardless of which retreat you choose, Ikara will support you through a complete iboga immersion experience with strong ancestral lineage. Guests can expect to encounter deep healing that will transform them from the inside out. Keep in mind, however, Ikara is solely focused on treatment and tries their best to limit distractions — meaning you’ll have to wait to visit the beaches or waterfalls until after the retreat is over.
Location(s): Costa Rica, Portugal, Ireland, New Zealand, Canada
Price range: starting at $3,000 for a 5-day retreat
—> Mention the code “SITESEE” for $300 USD off your entire retreat.
3. Iboga Wellness Center
The Iboga Wellness Center is located in southern Costa Rica, outside the mountains of Perez Zeledon. This retreat offers breathtaking views of the mountains, river, and valley below, making for an incredible backdrop to your healing journey. Guests at Iboga Wellness Center have access to garden-to-table meals, expertly trained staff, and a number of sacred ceremonies designed for spiritual growth. As the longest-running shamanic iboga retreat in the Western Hemisphere, you can trust you’ll be in good hands here while you navigate a truly transformative experience.
Location(s): Costa Rica
Price range: starting at $3,250 for an 8-day retreat
—> Mention "Gift of life" on your initial inquiry for 7.5% off your entire retreat.
4. Root Healing
Root Healing’s retreat space is nestled near the top of the Sintra Mountains of Portugal, offering psycho-spiritual retreats, detox, and specialized healing treatments. Throughout your stay, your journey will be steeped in the teachings of Bwiti and Iboga, as an expert team guides you through your transformation and the discovery of your true self. Guests can hike the property's expansive trails, and enjoy the pool/sauna and views of the ocean and mountains throughout. There is also an extensive aftercare program to support you in integrating your experience and integrating the experience.
Location(s): Portugal
Price range: starting at $3,000 for a 7-day retreat
5. Sacred Soul Therapy House
The team at Sacred Soul Therapy House helps guests cleanse their body, cleanse their mind, and connect with their spirit. This retreat center is located on the West coast of Canada, about an hour and a half from the clean air mountains of Vancouver. Sacred Soul is dedicated to honoring the ‘indigenous customs surrounding the root bark of Africa’s sacred iboga tree.’ Guests participate in psycho-spiritual ceremonies and detox treatments featuring an ingestible form of iboga. But if you’re new to iboga, there’s no need to worry; Sacred Soul’s shamanic retreats offer a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment to explore whatever you need.
Location(s): Canada
Price range: inquire on their website for specific info
6. Bwiti Life
Bwiti Life is an iboga retreat located in Cancún, Mexico, and offers packages for both short- and long-term stays. This space invites guests to slow down, ground into the present, and really reflect on their relationship with themselves. At Bwiti Life, there’s a lot of learning that takes place — but there’s also an emphasis on unlearning the harmful beliefs you’ve been carrying around. On top of joining in the spiritual ceremonies, guests can spend time in the courtyard garden or take a dip in the circular lap pool. There’s also a sweat lodge and meditation lounges on the property to help you channel loving energy and go deeper into your inward journey.
Location(s): Mexico
Price range: starting at $3,500 for a 7-day retreat
7. Awaken Your Soul
Located in the San José province of Costa Rica, Awaken Your Soul is the perfect place for anyone seeking deep healing and true peace in their lives. That’s because Awaken Your Soul offers a small group experience with just six to eight guests per retreat. This smaller capacity gives the team more time to ‘support your individual process during iboga treatments.’ But from Awaken Your Soul’s perspective, you actually serve as your own healer; their role is simply to help you understand the teachings and guide you into the depths of your own truth. It’s safe to say anyone who spends time at this retreat will leave feeling changed for the better.
Location(s): Costa Rica
Price range: starting at $4,350 for an 8-day retreat
8. IbogaSoul Shamanic Healing
Costa Rica’s IbogaSoul is where new therapies collaborate with ancient practices. This retreat is home to nurturing and passionate staff members who are committed to honoring Bwiti traditions, while also providing ‘a safe space for healing with the sacred iboga medicine.’ More specifically, this means having a medical team on-site in addition to the shamanic healers. At IbogaSoul, guests will interact with traditionally harvested iboga root bark that comes directly from Gabon. But along with this raw bark, IbogaSoul also uses extracted total alkaloid, which contains ibogaine as well as the ‘full community’ of this spirit plant’s healing properties.
Location(s): Costa Rica
Price range: inquire on their website for personal sessions
9. Iboga Tree Healing House
At Iboga Tree, safety is their top priority. This retreat has a team of in-house doctors and nurses who are all Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certified. With that said, this extra medical support is not intended to scare you; hopefully, it serves as additional peace of mind and helps you relax a little more throughout the experience. We’d also note that Iboga Tree continuously monitors each guest’s heart rate as a way to ensure the highest possible level of safety. This deep compassion and understanding will no doubt translate to an incredible week — and even more so considering everyone at Iboga Tree has an individual, ‘bespoke treatment.’
Location(s): Portugal
Price range: starting at $5,500 for a 7-day retreat
10. IbogaJourney
Canadian retreat IbogaJourney has seven years of service and has facilitated over 700 spiritual transformations in that time. The sole focus of IbogaJourney is meditation, which they believe encourages ‘deep, internal exploration.’ By removing all external stimuli, they’ve created an environment where guests can break down expectations and move closer to self-acceptance. This retreat uses iboga as a tool to reveal connection and unlock the healing potential that exists within us all. Testimonials from previous guests call IbogaJourney a warm and nurturing space with beautiful ceremonies that ‘honor the sacred heritage of the Bwiti tribe.’
Location(s): Canada
Price range: starting at ~$700 for a 3-day retreat
Common FAQs about iboga
Below are the most common questions asked about iboga. For a more in-depth dive, read our interview with Kambo Casita about how to prepare for iboga and other FAQs.
Is iboga safe to take?
Yes, iboga is safe to take when it’s administered by experienced and responsible providers, and when the patient meets all the required criteria for intake. In other words, you should always work with a professionally-trained team that practices the appropriate safety protocols.
How can iboga help?
Iboga can help with a variety of physical, mental, and emotional ailments ranging from high blood pressure and nerve disorders, to depression and substance abuse issues. While everyone’s individual experience will differ, iboga is truly a transformative plant.
How long does iboga last?
A full dose of iboga can produce a long-lasting trip, sometimes up to 36 hours. That’s why it’s so important for the patient to be in reasonably good health prior to receiving treatment. It’s also why you should never use iboga on your own, but only in the presence of a trained professional.