Some wellness practitioners speak about healing. Others live it – quietly, consistently, and with deep presence. Wendy Marula Senior Spa Therapist at Amani Spa & Wellness at the Radisson Safari Hotel in Hoedspruit, is one such person.
You feel it within seconds of meeting her: an energy that is unhurried, grounded, and deeply attuned. Guests arrive at the spa weary from long-haul flights, overstimulated by modern life, or simply seeking refuge from their own inner noise, and Wendy meets them exactly where they are.
“My role isn’t just to give a treatment,” she says. “It’s to feel where someone is in their body and their mind and gently bring them back to themselves.”
The Nature of the Guest
Unlike urban spas, where clients book quick appointments between boardrooms and deadlines, Amani Spa & Wellness Hoedspruit lives by the rhythm of the bush. Many guests arrive straight from international flights, stepping into the bushveld with stiff muscles, jet lag, and overstimulated nervous systems.
“They’re often tired and dehydrated. Their skin is compromised from flying, and they’ve been running on adrenaline. Many arrive straight from travel and just need to land fully in their bodies again.”
Then there’s the local community, a small but tightly knit mix of South African residents and international expats who’ve made Hoedspruit their home. These guests, Wendy explains, seek more than a once-off indulgence. “They want to see someone they trust who understands their body’s needs and knows their story”.
And this is where Wendy truly shines.
More than Skin Deep
Wendy’s talent lies in her technical ability coupled with her gift of reading people. Before a guest has even spoken, she’s already tuned in to their emotional state. Are they withdrawn or open? Needing silence or conversation? Energetically depleted or simply in need of touch?
“Some guests just want peace. Others want to talk. You can feel it when they walk through the door,” she says. “You have to give them what they don’t always know they’re asking for.”
Even her ritual of removing her shoes before a treatment is intentional: “I massage barefoot so I can feel connected to the earth. It helps me stay grounded so I can give them the best version of me.”
The Right Treatment, For the Right Reason
Wendy’s treatment recommendations are anchored in what her guest truly needs.
For jet-lagged travellers, her go-to is the Amani Traveller’s Journey – a carefully composed 90-minute ritual that combines a signature full body massage with foot pressure point work, using Amani’s peppermint-rich Circula Flow balm.
“Their legs are swollen, their circulation is slow. Circula Flow stimulates movement and reduces water retention from flying. The results are immediate.”
When she sees signs of environmental stress in the skin, including dryness, dullness, and inflammation, she turns to the ESSE Live Probiotic Facial.
“I love that ESSE works with the skin’s microbiome. It’s not just surface, it’s repair at a cellular level.”
But it’s not just about the treatment. Wendy layers in wellness education, encouraging guests to support their experience with breathwork, essential oils, and grounding rituals they can continue at home.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as recommending a lavender oil before bed, or five minutes of deep breathing. These are small shifts that make a big difference.”
Leading from Within
As a Senior Therapist, Wendy is also a quiet leader within the team. She mentors newer therapists, ensuring they are trained in Amani’s meticulous SOPs, including understanding the purpose behind each step.
“We all bring different energy, but the journey and benefits for the guest must feel consistent. That’s why our training matters. We are here to help people transform their lives through wellness, and our treatments are intentionally designed. Every guest deserves the best, no matter who they see.”
Wellness as a Way of Life
Wendy doesn’t speak about wellness in clichés. For her, it lives in the daily rituals of morning walks, personal affirmations, and conscious breathwork.
“Each morning, I look in the mirror and tell myself: Today is a new day. It’s going to be a good day! Let’s take it one step at a time.”
It is this lived philosophy that radiates through her work. Wendy creates space not only on the massage table, but also in the way she listens, holds silence, and meets each guest with calm, grounded presence.
Looking Ahead
Wendy sees her future in spa leadership. Her goal is not to step away from treatments, but to expand her ability to support and guide others. She speaks of growing into a supervisory role, then perhaps Assistant Manager, and eventually Spa Manager when the time is right.
“I love what I do. I love helping people feel seen and safe. Amani gives me the space to grow while staying connected to what matters most.”
Wendy reminds us that the heart of Amani lies in its people. Her quiet strength, her intuitive care, and her ability to hold space for others reflect everything we value. In Hoedspruit, where the pace is set by nature and every guest arrives with their own story, she meets them with presence and compassion. Through her hands, healing begins. Through her energy, guests find calm. And through her example, our team grows stronger. We are so proud to have her as part of the Amani family.
