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Planet Kambo Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in Portugal/United Kingdom

Planet Kambo is dedicated to promoting well-being through traditional and alternative healing practices, providing transformative 4-day plant medicine retreats and private Kambo ceremonies in London, as well as comprehensive Kambo training courses. Their primary offering is the Algarve Awakening Plant Medicine Retreat in Portugal, set in the tranquil hills outside Nazaré, offering Amazonian Plant Medicine and Kambo ceremonies in harmony with surrounding natural beauty.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Nestled in the serene hills near Nazaré, Portugal, surrounded by aromatic gardens, ancient rocks, and a peaceful lake, providing a perfect escape for rest and rejuvenation. Also operates regular ceremonies in London.
• Approach: During ceremonies, participants are supported by Jonathan and his team of 4 experienced assistants, committed to offering guidance and care for a safe and meaningful experience. Includes Temazcal Sweat Lodge and kambo ceremonies, with the addition of ancient practices led by local experts.
• Suitable For: Those seeking kambo experiences, individuals interested in practitioner training, and people looking for a business-oriented approach to plant medicine.
• Costs: Pricing not publicly disclosed – requires booking consultation call for retreat costs. Individual London ceremonies available with package deals and referral programs.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: C+ (notable for professional training focus and established London presence, flagged for heavy business orientation and unclear retreat pricing).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Limited public reviews were found during research. The available information suggests mixed experiences with their approach. Some participants appreciate the structured training environment and professional presentation, particularly those seeking kambo practitioner certification. However, concerns exist about the commercialized nature of their operation and emphasis on business expansion over traditional healing approaches. The organization appears to attract individuals interested in the entrepreneurial aspects of plant medicine rather than purely ceremonial or healing purposes. Reviews specific to their Portugal retreat were not found in accessible sources, making it difficult to assess participant satisfaction comprehensively.

The lack of substantial independent reviews on major platforms raises questions about transparency and participant engagement. Most testimonials appear on their own website or marketing materials, limiting objective assessment of actual retreat experiences.

We encourage sharing your perspective through our submission form to maintain current insights.

🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no specific incidents were found directly linked to Planet Kambo.

• Theft: No reports of theft or financial misconduct found in public sources checked.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct found in public sources checked.
• Crime: No criminal activity or legal issues found in public sources checked.

While no direct incidents were found, broader concerns exist in online communities about commercialized kambo operations and animal welfare issues related to frog harvesting practices. Some Reddit discussions raise ethical questions about the sustainability and commodification of traditional medicines like kambo.

New update as of March 2026: No incidents reported, monitoring ongoing.

🔍 Critical Notes

Planet Kambo combines the wisdom of indigenous tribal medicines with modern detox techniques to create a truly unique, uplifting, and enlightening journey. The organization has built multiple revenue streams and organically scaled their operation to a 6 figure business with no external funding or investment, indicating a professional, business-focused approach to plant medicine work.

However, several concerns warrant consideration. The heavily commercialized presentation, including investment opportunities and franchise-style expansion, may not align with traditional approaches to sacred plant medicines. Through weekly group cleansing events, quarterly immersive retreats & monthly high ticket training courses, Planet Kambo Ltd are driving a movement to bring ancient healing to the forefront of mainstream & high performance culture. This business model raises questions about the balance between accessibility and commercialization of indigenous practices. Additionally, regulatory frameworks for kambo vary significantly between the UK and Portugal, creating potential legal ambiguities for participants.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

Planet Kambo’s medical screening process is not clearly detailed on their website, which is concerning given kambo’s intense physiological effects. The lack of transparent information about contraindications, medical requirements, or screening procedures represents a significant gap in safety protocols. Kambo can cause dramatic purging, cardiovascular stress, and intense physical reactions that require proper medical assessment beforehand.

Individuals with heart conditions, eating disorders, psychosis, or those taking certain medications should exercise extreme caution. The absence of clear screening information makes it impossible to assess their safety standards adequately. All potential participants should consult with healthcare providers familiar with kambo’s effects and ensure comprehensive medical screening regardless of what the center provides.

🧪 Brew Substance

Kambo is the venomous secretion of Phyllomedusa bicolor (the giant leaf or monkey frog), a bright green tree frog native to the Amazon basin, found in the Amazon rainforests of South America. This is authentic kambo, not a synthetic alternative. Kambo is often used in conjunction with ayahuasca because advance purging helps to optimize absorption, with vasodilating peptides that increase blood-brain barrier permeability. They also offer rapéh tobacco snuff, a sacred shamanic medicine used by Amazon tribes for thousands of years in initiation rites, social rites, and healing ceremonies. However, ethical concerns exist about animal welfare and sustainability of frog harvesting practices.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• Portugal/United Kingdom: Portugal’s Algarve region offers a Mediterranean climate with rolling hills, traditional villages, and coastal proximity. The area around Nazaré is known for its dramatic coastline, fishing culture, and rural tranquility.
• Setting: Set in the tranquil hills outside Nazaré, where the elements of Earth, Fire, Air, and Water merge, surrounded by aromatic gardens, ancient rocks, and a peaceful lake. Facilities include fast WIFI in all houses, with check-in at 3pm Thursday and check-out at 11am Monday, with synchronized airport transport.
• Style: Participants experience Temazcal Sweat Lodge and kambo ceremonies designed to enhance wellbeing and connection to nature, with amazing food catering to various tastes, opportunities to forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals, and enriched ambiance with amazing music.

Practical guidance: Participants are responsible for arranging their own flight travel, with complete location details provided upon registering interest. Airport transfers arranged at extra cost. Booking requires initial consultation call rather than direct online reservation.

Should You Book?

Planet Kambo may suit individuals specifically seeking kambo experiences with a professional, structured approach, particularly those interested in practitioner training or business aspects of plant medicine. The Portugal retreat setting appears well-appointed and the team claims extensive experience. However, the heavily commercialized approach, lack of transparent pricing, and business-focused marketing may not appeal to those seeking traditional, spiritually-centered medicine work. The absence of substantial independent reviews and unclear medical screening protocols are concerning. Those prioritizing authentic indigenous practices, transparent safety protocols, or community-focused healing may find better alignment elsewhere.

The Team & Story

Founded by David Rees and Jonathan Gold, with David bringing over 15 years design agency, marketing & branding experience, having worked with industry heavyweights London Real to help grow their business to 7 figure revenue. Testimonials praise Jonathan as ‘the best teacher I’ve met in this space’. David Rees is described as having ‘forensic eye for aesthetic detail & navy seal operational discipline’ driving the strategic business vision. The team emphasizes professional development and business expansion rather than traditional lineage or indigenous connections, which distinguishes them from more traditionally-oriented practitioners.

Prep & Integration Tips

Participants should fast from 12pm for rapéh workshops, with mandatory fasting required for Kambo. They require a non-refundable deposit to secure spots, with remaining balance due 21 days before the event. Integration support details are not clearly outlined on their website, though they mention ongoing practitioner training and community building. Post-ceremony support appears focused on business development and practitioner certification rather than traditional integration practices.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Booking requires clicking to book a priority access call rather than direct reservation. The consultation-based booking process suggests personalized assessment but lacks transparent pricing structure.