THE QUEST

Find your way.

2026 dates to be confirmed

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Life pulls us into a game.

We bend and twist to meet expectations, playing along to cover old wounds, to feel accomplished, to silence those critical voices echoing in our minds. Yet, often, we fail.

A mountain range with cloudy blue sky overhead, trees and a building near a water body in the foreground.

The Heart Quest

The Heart Quest, set in the serene landscape of Franschhoek, South Africa, is a 12-day or 4 day retreat inspired by the wisdom of ancient traditions. It offers a journey of deep self-inquiry, designed to help you peel back the layers, moving away from your ego and sinking into the true essence of your heart. 

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Franschhoek, South Africa

Limited to 8 participants

4 day Quest, 1 day solo:

2026 dates to be confirmed

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A space for

founders,

builders

& creators

In our heart of hearts, we all know our unique way.

This is why advice from others seldom seems to hit the spot or ring true. Deep down we know we are capable, and indeed compelled, to unearth our truth.

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A rocky hiking trail surrounded by trees leading towards rugged mountain peaks under a partly cloudy sky.

Just You & Nature

The Solo

At the core of this experience is a solo on the Franschhoek mountains.

After deep preparation, where you immerse yourself in nature and circle work, you head into solitude with no phone, no watch, no distraction. Just a journal, a pen, basic gear, and the elements. You fast, except for water, allowing space for raw self-reflection.

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  • “I have been stuck in a rut for the last 4-5 years. The colors of life had started to fade. This Quest rocked my soul, shattered and restored my heart. My life will never be the same”.

    Gert

  • Words can never encompass the truths that I have discovered here. I have connected to a source within myself that I know will steer me in the right direction for the rest of my life.”

    Vivi

  • “Words can never compare to the truth that I have discovered here. Heart Quest made me find myself, the inner part of my being. My life has been changed forever. This is the real shit.”

    Lando

Circles & Stories

We, as humans, are natural storytellers, weaving narratives to make sense of our lives. And our instinct for ritual helps us mark pivotal moments on our journeys. Spending time in nature provides a chance to shed the distractions of modern society and rediscover your authentic self.

The Quest amplifies our innate ability to find meaning and create rituals, which are shared and processed within a circle, a safe gathering where participants witness and honour each other's stories.

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Group of people sitting in a circle around a gathering of rocks in a forest setting, engaging in a discussion or presentation.
Interior of a rustic room with a high thatched roof, stone walls, small windows, Persian rugs, cushions, and a central round stone fireplace.
Colorful red and green aloe plants in a sunny outdoor garden with green trees, mountain in the background, and a bright blue sky with a few white clouds.

For centuries, those seeking wisdom have turned to nature, silence, and solitude. We are experienced guides in this ancient practice. With gentle, loving care, we hold a space where you can safely embark on this inward journey, each step along the way.

Come join us on a quest to reconnect with the wisdom of your heart and find your path.

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  • “It saved me from myself and gave me New Life"

    Steve

  • “I opened to deeper levels of my being…I felt a sense of belonging, I felt safe, I felt heard and it made a difference. The Quest marked a change in my life, and renewed my spirit”

    Debbie

  • “I arrived as a girl filled with self-doubt and left as a woman of courage and inner-strength. I carry my story with pride”

    Vizchell

The Journey

The goal is simple: to help you meet your truest self, perhaps for the first time, and understand who you are meant to become.

Quests like these are especially powerful when life brings you to a crossroads, a new chapter, or a need to release the old to make way for the new.

They act as both markers and tools for discernment, helping you find clarity in decision-making and purpose.

The 4 day Quest consists of:

  • 1 1/2 days of preparation through nature experiences and circle work for self-discovery

  • Breathwork and light yoga

  • 1 day and night of solo fasting in the mountains

  • 1/2 day of integration and storytelling, 

  • 3 online circles across three months to deepen and solidify the process.

The 12 day Quest consists of:

  • 4 days of preparation through nature experiences and circle work for self-discovery

  • 4 days and nights of solo fasting in the mountains

  • 3 days of integration and storytelling, 

  • Breathwork, light yoga, and Biodanza, facilitated by experienced practitioners.

  • A one-hour, individual session with a clinical psychologist as part of the integration.

  • 6 online circles across six months to deepen and solidify the process.

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Limited to 8 participants per Quest.

4 day Quest: 1 - 4 October 2026

Meet your guides

A black and white photo of a middle-aged man with glasses wearing a scarf, inside a room with wood-paneled ceiling and a large light fixture.

Simon Bowley
Lead

Simon once climbed the corporate ladder to become CEO of a major clothing retailer. But this life didn’t fit, and he left to seek something deeper. Discovering the ancient tradition of the Vision Quest he refined it into the Heart Quest, an approach to self-inquiry. He subsequently founded the Heart Quest Foundation which provides at-risk youth the opportunity to be guided on this process. He has since guided hundreds of people through this transformational ceremonial process.

Black and white photo of a smiling man with glasses, short hair, a beard, and a tattoo on his forearm, sitting at a table in a cafe or restaurant.

Pierre du Plessis
Co-Lead

Pierre has spent over 20 years in spirituality and human development. Skilled in retreats and meditation, he has facilitated countless individuals in their journeys of self-discovery. By day, Pierre is a strategist, helping businesses navigate their futures. The rest of his time is dedicated to studying and guiding founders on their next steps.

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  • “I needed this…I still cannot tell you what ‘this is’. I can only tell you I found it, I have it and I am going to cherish it…it was powerful, it was wonderful, it was life changing, it is life changing..it is beauty..”

    Steve

  • “I am no longer a victim of my past…I found my True Self”

    Francois

  • “The most powerful and magical experience of my life. A ceremony of journeying into the depths of my heart to find my deepest truth…words cannot do this experience justice”

    Chris

How do I join?

Please get in touch with us to apply to join the next quest by completing the form.

4 day: 1 - 4 October 2026

12 day: To be confirmed

The Quest is Limited to 8 participants, please apply early.

We will set up an online call or in-person meeting with Pierre.

The goal of the conversation would be to discern together whether the Quest is the right path for you at this point in your life, share some of the practicalities, and answer your questions.

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Pricing

4 day Quest

South African Citizens: ZAR 22,500 (Excl VAT)

Non SA Citizens: USD 2,500 (Excl VAT)

12 day quest

International: USD 7,500 (Excl VAT)

South African Citizens: ZAR 95,000 (Excl VAT)

Details

  • Includes accommodation in your own pod, catering, and facilitation.

  • Excluding VAT & Travel to Franschhoek

  • 50% payment is required to secure your spot, the remainder is payable 30 days before the quest.

  • Cancellations within 30 days prior to the quest forfeits the 50% upfront payment.

  • 40% of the fee goes to support the Heart Quest Foundation to provide the same transformative experience to at-risk South African youth.

(Prices subject to change)

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 FAQs

  • No specific preparations are required; we will ensure you are ready.

  • Safety measures are rigorously followed, and in over a decade, no participant has ever been injured.

  • We spend time before the solo preparing you emotionally, equipping you to sit with whatever may arise during your solo, and allowing it to teach you rather than overwhelm you. This shift in awareness can change how you relate to yourself and your life. After the solo, each participant will have a one-hour private session with a clinical psychologist to help process the experience.

  • Yes, the Quest does have a spiritual dimension, but it is completely non-denominational. Participants are encouraged to engage with it from their own spiritual or religious traditions if they have any. The experience is designed to be inclusive and adaptable to all personal beliefs, fostering a deeper connection to self and the world around.

  • Groups are limited to 8 participants and are co-ed, ensuring a close, supportive environment.

  • Yes, both men and women can join on the Quest, though sometimes the group might end up consisting of only men or only women.

  • To deepen the retreat experience, all phones will be handed in at the start of the 12 days and returned on the final day. An emergency contact number will be provided so that participants' families can reach them if necessary.

  • This tradition invites you to face your ego and challenges without the use of plants or any stimulants. While we respect those practices and traditions, they are not part of this particular retreat.

  • Catering: Full healthy catering is provided by an experienced chef, inform us of any dietary requirements.

    Kit to bring: Sleeping bag, mat, warm clothes, hiking shoes, water bottle, torch, sunscreen, journal, and pen. A full kit list will be provided.

    Kit supplied: Tarp, paracord, small plastic trowel, shade sail, small clasp knife.

  • Each participants sleeps in their own ‘pod’, these are thatched roof stone cottages with two single beds with bedding. Ablutions are shared and separate from the pods. During your solo you stay outdoors in the mountain.

  • Travel to and from Franschhoek is excluded. Please organise this for yourselves or share the transport.

  • After the Quest there will be a period of six months where the Circle of participants will continue to meet either in Cape Town or online, once a month to reflect on and deepen the experience. These will be facilitated by Pierre.

  • 40% of the fee supports the Heart Quest Foundation, allowing at-risk South African youth to experience this transformative journey.

    South African Citizens:

    4 day Quest: ZAR 22,500 (ex VAT)

    12 day Quest: ZAR 95,000 (ex VAT)

    Non-South African Citizens:

    4 day Quest: USD 2,500 (ex VAT)

    12 day Quest: USD 7,500 (ex VAT)

    A 50% Payment is required to secure your spot, and the balance is to be settled 30 days before the Quest.

    50% of the amount paid will be refunded in case of cancellation up to 30 days before the Quest, thereafter no refund will be made.

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Rediscover the wisdom of your heart.

Find your way.

The Heart Quest Foundation

The Heart Quest Foundation is a Non-Profit Organisation which was founded in 2012. It provides nature based programs promoting self-help, self-awareness and self-empowerment. 

The Foundation’s programs strongly promote capacity building, life skills development, general economic upliftment and environmental awareness

Learn more