Iman – Founder of Serai Women, Host and Explorer

I’ve always loved the freedom and magic of travel - the way it opens our hearts and minds. 

Even as an experienced solo traveller, the moments that have stayed with me are the ones shared: meals with strangers who become friends, laughter on long train rides and conversations that linger long after the journey ends. 

Born in Egypt, my parents came to Australia when I was three. There’s an Egyptian proverb that says once you drink from the Nile you are destined to return. So at 23 I packed a backpack and set off to see the world, travelling solo through Egypt and Africa before settling in Bahrain in the Middle East where I had my three children.  After 12 years my family moved to South Africa where I worked in broadcast journalism and TV production – work that allowed me to keep exploring the world through a storyteller’s lens. 

After my children left home and I found myself single, I craved connection with like-minded, curious women. Women who wanted more than just a getaway. Women who wanted depth, discovery and real conversation. 

That’s how Serai Women was born – because I believe that cultivating meaningful connections among women is transformative. Seeing the world through other women's eyes makes us wiser. It opens us up and we amplify each other.

Shared experiences are how friendships are forged.

Woman standing in front of ornate architecture with intricate carvings and patterns, wearing a beige hat, floral shirt, orange striped pants, and carrying a brown shoulder bag and sunglasses.

“I craved connection with like-minded women.”

THE WOMEN OF SERAI

At Serai, collaboration and friendship are at the heart of everything we do. Every journey we curate is thoughtfully designed to be truly transformational. Our team of hosts and facilitators are women who will not just enrich your experience but will invite you to see the world – and yourself – in new ways. 

A smiling woman with long dark hair wearing a beige head wrap, gold dangling earrings, and a light-colored top, standing in front of a white brick wall with green foliage.

  • Monna is a somatic healer, spiritual guide, and meditation facilitator whose work bridges ancient wisdom with modern transformation. Over the past decade, she has devoted herself to the study and practice of shamanic healing, learning to listen deeply to the intelligence of the body and the whispers of spirit.

    With a background in health and sport science, Monna weaves together the physical, emotional  and spiritual dimensions of wellbeing. As a ceremonial guide, Monna’s approach is rooted in reverence, presence and compassion. Her gift lies in creating sacred, safe spaces where others can reconnect with their inner truth, unlocking the power that already resides within.

    Through her gentle yet profound way of holding space, Monna helps others move forward with clarity and courage, return to stillness and awaken to divine connection. Her work is less about teaching and more about remembering - guiding each person back to the wisdom that has always been theirs.

A woman with curly blonde hair, wearing a red jacket, black and white patterned pants, and flip flops, smiling while standing on a busy Chinatown street with a decorative Chinese archway overhead. People walk around in the background, with shops and buildings lining the street.

  • Manuella is an artist, writer, educator, and poet with over 25 years of experience helping people of all ages reconnect with their creative voice. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s in Art Education and her work has been exhibited across the Middle East.

    A storyteller at heart, Manuella has performed her spoken-word poetry at literary festivals, conferences, and events in Athens and Cyprus and recently completed her first novel.

    Deeply committed to the transformative power of creativity, she has led intuitive art and writing workshops for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors. Her work has supported women reclaiming silenced voices, refugees and grieving individuals finding healing through expression, and people with special needs experiencing joy through creation. She is also passionate about guiding writers and artists through creative blocks and helping them rediscover their flow.

    In Greece, her work with refugees, particularly unaccompanied minor girls, offered them a safe space to be seen, heard and to share their stories through art and storytelling.

    At the heart of all she does is a belief that intuitive creation is both an act of healing and self-discovery. Each brushstroke and each line of writing reminds her why this work matters and why she continues to share it. 

    Manuella facilitates our intuitive art retreats that are designed to unlock your creativity and awaken the goddess within.

A woman smiling and holding a small cup, standing in front of a colorful, patterned textile background.

  • Fernanda Lena is a born adventurer with an open heart and an endless curiosity about the world. Originally from Brazil, she spent five years backpacking across continents, immersing herself in diverse cultures and collecting stories that continue to shape her outlook on life.

    Fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and English, Fernanda brings a rare gift for connection wherever she goes. No matter where in the world she travels, she always leaves with a pocketbook of new friends (or bumps into someone she knows!).  Her background as a tour guide and early childhood educator has taught her the value of patience, presence and the simple joy of discovery - qualities she shares generously on every journey.

    Now splitting her time between Brazil and Australia, Fernanda finds joy in the little things that make travel so rewarding - good food (sweet or savoury), meaningful conversations, nature, music, books and cinema.

    For her, there’s a special kind of magic when women come together to explore, learn and laugh. As our South America co-host she injects every moment of the journey with joyous celebration and connection.

Contact us

Whether you have a question, would like to talk about an upcoming journey or just want to say hi - we’d love to hear from you.

Reach out to Iman (our founder and fellow wanderer). You’ve got questions. She’s got answers.

Unlock your next chapter. Email Iman at hello@seraiwomen.com or send us a message with the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.