the island becomes a garden

cabo verde

15 Days | November 22 - December 6, 2026

The Island Becomes A Garden is a fortnight-long gathering of artists and makers of all stripes looking to spend serene time away from their familiar bases. The two weeks will be spent across several cities on two of Cabo Verde’s ten islands—stunning destinations that are highly conducive to creation, exploration and relaxation.

The days of the retreat have a loose governing structure, ensuring that there’ll be ample time for both individual pursuits and collective engagements. During our time together, we shall participate in activities designed to stimulate creativity, visit various sites of cultural and historical significance, as well as connect with local communities and Cabo Verdean cultural workers of different kinds.

What follows is a day-by-day guide to the structure of the retreat. May the days offer fertile ground for the blossoming of ideas, new work, and lasting connections.

Be excited to

Travel through two Cabo Verdean islands with an intimate group of Black creatives

Participate in workshops which will inspire your creative process
Engage with local cultural organizations and creative groups
Learn about the history of the islands
Experience breath-taking relaxing natural sites
Engage in profound conversations and workshops towards regeneration and healing

Program Information

Program Length

15 days

Program Dates

November 22nd - December 6th 2026

Group Size

Max: 10 Participants

Total Program Cost

USD 3500

*Fees cover high quality accommodations on each island, breakfast, in-country flights, transportation and all activities in itinerary. Also included is access to pre-trip support.

We are committed to financial accessibility. Read Our Financial Policy Here.

〰️

We are committed to financial accessibility. Read Our Financial Policy Here. 〰️

itinerary

Days 1-3 (Cidade Velha)

Arriving in Praia on Day 1, we will head to our lodge on the quiet coastline of Cidade Velha where, after checking in, we will be treated to a dinner with a blend of live music at Batuku Restaurant. This would also be an opportunity to introduce ourselves as well as set our individual and group intentions for the trip.

We will commit Day 2 to getting to know Cidade Velha (Old City), which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first port of the trans-Atlantic trade. This guided tour will include Fort Real Sao Filipe, the Ruins of Se Cathedral, the old pelourinho (slave market post), Rua de Banana, and Nossa Senhora do Rosario. We will break for lunch, which will be in the busy Mercado Municipal on Plateau. Here you will find an array of stalls serving different foods from the region. Finishing lunch, we will visit the New International Artistic Residency in Achada where we will engage with a group exhibition before heading on to acquaint ourselves with the city better through a street art and street food tour. This will feature Praia’s vivid street art spread throughout three neighbourhoods, a visit to a gallery owned by one of CV’s most celebrated artists, and some of Praia’s tastiest pint-sized plates from our favourite around-the-way spots.

Day 3 will be committed to a creative workshop led by writer and photographer, Moshood. This will include group and individual sessions throughout the day. We will end the day with dinner and a live music performance.

Accommodation: Encosta Azul - Cidade Velha
Meals: Breakfast, Welcome Dinner w/live music

Bem-vindo (Welcome)

Days 7 - 9 (Cidade Velha)

We begin Day 7 by heading back to Cidade Velha. While winding along the hilly eastern coast, we will make a stop at the once-isolated and recently fire-stricken community of Rabelados (Rebels), who strive to preserve traditional rituals and culture. After dinner, we will get on the dance floor to learn the traditional dance genres of funana and coladeira, as well as the sultry Kizomba that, over the past couple of decades, has grown in popularity.

Day 8 will be a free day. You are invited to enjoy a relaxed day exploring the historic charm of Cidade Velha at your own pace.

After breakfast on Day 9, we will connect with an art collective, “Le Cercle des Artistes,” to join in their mission of improving disadvantaged neighbourhoods or community centers by jointly creating a mural. We will then proceed to have a local lunch “na lenha” (cooked on firewood) in the “quintal” of a local family together with the artists.

Accommodation: Encosta Azul - Cidade Velha
Meals: Breakfast

Rest & Accra Nightlife

Days 4- 6 (Tarrafal)

Heading into Tarrafal, the island’s most beautiful beach town, where we will spend the next few days by its shores, we will wind through the mountainous countryside on the morning of Day 4 for our Santiago Island Tour. We will make a stop at the former home of revolutionary Amilcar Cabral, a humongous baobab tree said to be over 500 years old, and the entrance to Serra Malagueta Natural Park. Included in our tour would also be a pottery lesson with women potters in the countryside village of Fonte Lima. We will also visit the Tarrafal Concentration Camp, which began in the 1930s to hold political prisoners, before arriving in Tarrafal where we will check in to our hotel.

Day 5 will be committed to individual and collective creative sessions facilitated by Moshood. We will have a cultural exchange activity with the dance group Delta Cultura after dinner.

Day 6 would include a list of activities intended to get us into nature and zen vibes. We will visit Piscina da Cuba, which is a unique natural pool excursion offering a refreshing escape to a secluded, crystal-clear natural pool surrounded by dramatic volcanic rock formations. We would enjoy swimming in these pristine waters after walking through coconut trees and making a stop by a black-sand beach. Towards the evening, we would unwind and reflect with guided yoga and meditation as well as a sunset sound-healing session.

Accommodation: King Fisher Village
Meals: Breakfast

Nature & Zen Vibes: Tarrafal

Days 10-12 (Maio)

On Day 10, we will head to the airport after breakfast to fly out to Maio Island, about 45 minutes away. Maio Island offers untouched, endless white sands and quiet fishing villages, which would provide an escape from modern distractions for our creative journey. This would also be an inspiring spot to look inward and reflect.

Days 11 and 12 will be committed to creative sessions and workshops facilitated by Moshood

Accommodation: Stella Maris Villas
Meals: Breakfast

Maio Island

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Exhibition & Sunset

Days 13-15 (Cidade Velha)

On Day 13, we will fly back to Cidade Velha on Santiago Island. We will spend the night out in the city as we prepare to bring our program to a close.

Day 14 will see us bring to life our mini exhibition, culminating aspects of our creative output in a bid to share them with the city. This will be followed by a long night of music and dancing, celebrating ourselves and our creations within “the colour of hope.”

Day 15: Departure.