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Programs

Hartebeest has developed three programs.
Nature, stillness, and purpose are central components of all our offerings.

The difference between a program and a trail lies in their structure and setting:
A trail takes place entirely in nature and unfolds organically as we walk from place to place—without a predetermined training format.
Our programs, on the other hand, are designed with a clear intention in advance and are held at a fixed location.

That said, our programs always allow room for what naturally arises within the group.
For companies and groups, we can tailor a custom blend of trail and program upon request.

Below you’ll find an overview of our programs.

Soul Station & Under African Skies

Kristel has believed since childhood that everyone walks this earth for a reason—a purpose. When you gain clarity about what truly matters to you, what your unique intention is, and what you are here to bring, that is pure richness—and so cool!

Do you dare to believe that we are all here to do something meaningful? For many, this isn’t easy—nor is it easy to uncover what that “something” is. Let’s be honest: it can feel elusive, even vague. Yet at some point in everyone’s life, a moment naturally arises where one senses that life is more than just what the senses perceive. And in a way, that’s when the party begins! You start to understand why certain things happen in your life. You begin to grasp the language of symbolism and feel deeply in awe of how intelligent and true life really is.

The names Under African Skies and Soul Station emerged organically while shaping these programs. For Kristel, music is a powerful gateway to inspiration and inner answers—so these names truly resonate with the essence of the journeys. In the programs, you’ll explore which “knobs” you can turn to tune into your own frequency. And yes, it’s like an old-fashioned radio—you have to tune it just right to get a clear signal. By taking part in one of these programs, your frequency becomes clear and true. It begins with clearing static from the line, resolving interference, and making space for what longs to be heard. Rest, nature, and silence play a vital role in this. So do joy and play! Nature—through plants and animals—shows us that things can be effortless, and that what is true is often beautifully simple.

Soul Station is a multi-month journey through the ancient landscapes of Dutch nature. Under African Skies is a one-week immersion in South Africa. Both programs pursue the same intention, but differ in content—shaped by the uniqueness of the locations and the expertise present. Below, we’d love to tell you more.

Soul Station

Soul Station is a loving, no-nonsense, and authentic program. We invite you to color outside the lines and let go of your polished version of yourself. Why? So you can tune in to what’s playing on your own soul station—what makes you you—and how to live that truthfully and with integrity.

The program consists of an intake conversation, four main modules, and a “dress rehearsal.” You’ll be guided by experienced facilitators offering a rich blend of transformative practices—often outside the beaten path.

It takes place on the Oerveld near the Dwingelderveld nature reserve in Ruinen, Drenthe. We’re surrounded by nature on a beautifully designed site. Just a few steps away lies the vast heathland—quintessentially Dutch and, on sunny days, almost reminiscent of the African savannah.

You’ll stay in a tastefully converted barn with shared sleeping spaces and ample bathroom facilities. If the weather is good, you’re welcome to pitch a tent and sleep outdoors.

Below, we outline the four modules and the closing day. We’d be happy to fill in the details with you during a personal conversation—so don’t hesitate to reach out!

Modules 0–3

Module 0: This module is called “Module 0” for a reason! During this first gathering, we gently land at Oerveld on Friday and take time to connect and get to know each other. On Saturday, the journey with yourself begins through a truffle ceremony—a beautiful departure point from “ground zero” for your personal process. The truffle helps to sharpen perception, uncover valuable inner insights, and connect with what your soul wants to express. You can count on experienced and careful guidance, a safe and supportive space, and unconditional trust in the sacred intelligence of what nature offers.

Module 1: Who are you and what are you really about—right now?
Building on the teachings from the truffle ceremony, we’ll continue to explore where you currently stand and what your deeper longing is regarding your personal development. Together, we’ll map out your qualities and talents. At the same time, we’ll dive deeper to bring subconscious or conditioned patterns to the surface—so you can examine whether they still serve you or not. A step toward something new often requires letting go of something old. All of this helps bring you closer to your true frequency—closer to what you’re truly about.

Module 2: What does your body have to say?
Our bodies never lie. When we take the time to listen, they tell us so much—if not everything. The body offers information about whether we’re on the right path or if there’s something asking to be clarified. In this module, we go beyond thinking so that the mind—your ego—no longer gets in the way and we can truly begin to listen. We reconnect with our inner fire—and we stoke it too! Expect powerful walks, visualizations, and breathwork practices that help you discover your body’s vitality and how to use it as a daily compass. We’ll shake loose outdated inner systems to make space for what wants to emerge now.
Jan ter Horst, the owner of Oerveld, will introduce us to vocal expression and liberation work—embodied practices that will give you experiences far beyond what the mind can imagine.

Module 3: What do you leave behind, and what do you carry forward?
In this final module, we begin to harvest. What will you bring more fully into the world? What needs to shift in your life? What becomes crystal-clear on your radar? How can you express your unique essence and talents in a way that brings you true joy—and as a bonus, benefits those around you as well? By exploring these questions from a broader perspective, your sense of trust and clarity deepens. You begin to form a solid foundation—a place you can always return to, and from which you can move forward with purpose and confidence.

The Dress Rehearsal
A final day together, where you share—your way—what you’ve harvested from this journey. You build a bridge from your dreams, insights, and crystallized longings to your ambitions and real-world steps. This moment marks the start of returning home, giving form to what you’ve discovered, and creating a solid foundation that connects your inner inspiration with your everyday reality.

Dates – Soul Station 2026

  • Module 0: 9 – 11 January 2026

  • Module 1: 6 – 8 March 2026

  • Module 2: 17 – 19 April 2026

  • Module 3: 12 – 14 June 2026

  • Dress Rehearsal: 5 September 2026

Location
The program takes place at Oerveld, located next to the Dwingelderveld Nature Reserve in Ruinen, the Netherlands.
Address: Waterleuzen 1, 7963 PS Ruinen.

Costs
The cost of the Soul Station program is €3,450 (excluding VAT).
This includes all meals, drinks, and accommodation.
It is possible to pay in three instalments.

Cancellation Policy

  • You may cancel free of charge up to 8 weeks before the start of the Soul Station program.

  • If you cancel up to 6 weeks prior, 30% of the total fee will be charged.

  • Up to 4 weeks before the start, 50% of the fee applies.

  • After that, 100% of the program fee will be charged.

Under African Skies

Under African Skies takes place at Bergplaas, in the Great Karoo.
This place is almost beyond words—its vast open landscapes, rich wildlife, and shifting colors are accompanied by an energy that immediately moves something within you. Words like safety and surrender come close. It is precisely this feeling that led us to choose Bergplaas as the place to work with what we see as the essence of who you are.

Practically speaking, Bergplaas offers a comfortable stay with quality beds (private or shared rooms), healthy food, and the opportunity for long walks with the option to sleep in a tent under the stars (with your luggage transported in advance). You are surrounded by zebras, hartebeests, wildebeests, elands, monkeys, and birds. There is no Big Five here, which means it’s safe to walk and sleep alone in nature.

The program takes place partly outdoors in nature and partly indoors in a welcoming training space. Within a clear framework—and with plenty of room for personal input—the following themes will be explored:

  • What are you truly about? What do you long for, and what do you have to offer?

  • Life themes and patterns: which ones serve you, and which ones no longer do?

  • The art of living—what does it mean in its beautiful simplicity and complexity?

  • Living and working in partnership with nature (including elements from the Spirit of the Wild program, facilitated by Ian Read and Wayne Maspero)

In short, with a small group (maximum of 10 participants), we will spend the week in a stunning natural area.
Short wilderness trails, lessons from the land, inspiring stories, powerful methods, and grounded models will guide you on this journey.

You can count on professional and loving guidance from facilitators Mirjam Smit and Kristel Beltman, and wilderness guides Ian Read and Wayne Maspero.

Dates
Under African Skies takes place at Bergplaas from 12 to 19 November 2025.

Costs
The total cost is €3,450 including meals, drinks, and accommodation.
This amount excludes the flight and VAT.

Cancellation Policy

  • You may cancel free of charge up to 4 months before departure.

  • If you cancel between 4 and 2 months before departure, 50% of the program fee will be charged.

  • If you cancel less than 2 months before departure, 100% of the program fee is due.

Hart and Beest in leadership!

Hart and Beest in Leadership! is our leadership program for companies. It spans one year and offers both personal and professional deepening. The group consists of 6 to 10 participants from within the organization, ideally from different departments. In addition to individual development, we also focus on group development. We believe it’s important to foster multiple connections within the organization so that people can (better) find and support each other in creating meaningful improvements.

The training includes an intake conversation, four two-day modules, and a follow-up day.
Participants are also given assignments—both individual and group-based—to work on throughout the year.

Inhoud

1

Blok 1:

Persoonlijk leiderschap
2

Blok 2:

Leidinggeven aan- en samenwerken met anderen
3

Blok 3:

Energiemanagement
4

Blok 4:

Communicatie

Locations in the Nederlands

We prefer to conduct our trainings off-site, away from the office, so that participants are not distracted by day-to-day operations. Our training locations are situated in or near natural environments.

Examples of locations we love to work at include:

  • De Hoorneboeg

  • Fort aan de Klop

  • Het Oerveld

  • Woodbrooke Barchem

Dates
Dates for the Hart and Beest in Leadership! program are scheduled in consultation with the client.
From October 2025, new year-long trajectories will be available.

Costs

The price for this year-long program is €3,450 per participant, excluding VAT, location costs, and catering.

The training can be supplemented with individual coaching sessions for further personal development.

“

“"I am deeply grateful to have been part of this leadership program. I found it to be a beautiful process—educational, surprising, clarifying, connecting, and at times vulnerable and confronting. It was truly special to experience how a group can build such a strong bond in such a short time, and how everyone dared to be so open and vulnerable. I found that incredibly valuable, and it was made possible by the safe and welcoming atmosphere you created. The breathwork session also left a deep impression on me."”

Ricardo Buma, manager E-commerceParticipant Hart and Beest in Leadership!
“

“A beautifully diverse program, guided by Kristel and Mirjam, with a different focus each day, clear structure and agreements, and a wealth of practical tools by the end. An unforgettable experience!

Kristel and Mirjam immediately put you at ease through their clear communication and openness. The training is not delivered in a school-like manner, but rather through learning to communicate and listen together—a perfect combination for strong leadership.

This training has enriched me as a person.”

Melanie Schuurman, Team lead salesParticipant Hart and Beest in Leadership!