Embark on an Incredible Safari Adventure that Beautifully Combines Art, Wildlife & Luxury...
Be Part of the Conservation Story!
Embark on a transformative journey with Sarah Stokes and her team of supporting artists at the breathtaking Kariega Game Reserve, where luxury, wildlife and creativity come together in an unforgettable safari art retreat.
Whether you're travelling solo or with a partner, our dedicated team is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inspiring experience, allowing you to focus on your artistic journey in one of the most spectacular wildlife destinations on Earth.
From the moment your South African adventure begins, every detail is carefully considered, allowing you to relax, unwind and immerse yourself in an unforgettable week of wildlife encounters, creativity and luxury at the magnificent Kariega Game Reserve.
10th–17th May 2028
NOW OPEN FOR BOOKINGS
Early Bird Offer – £6,995 Per Person
Following the incredible success of our previous Kariega Wildlife Art Retreats, we are delighted to announce that bookings are now open for our 2028 South Africa Wildlife Art Retreat.
Interest has already been exceptionally strong, with many guests registering their interest ahead of launch. To reward those booking early, we are offering a special Early Bird price of £6,995 per person for a limited period.
Following three highly successful wildlife art retreats at Kariega Game Reserve — two in 2024 and one in 2026 — Sarah and the team are delighted to return in 2028. Working alongside the UK non-profit organisation Freedom To Roam Adventures, these retreats have raised more than £70,000 for the Kariega Foundation, helping to fund vital conservation projects and the protection of endangered species including lions, cheetahs, black and white rhino, along with many other important wildlife and habitat restoration initiatives.
Now's your chance to join Sarah and the team for an extended 8-day stay on this extraordinary 12,500-hectare private game reserve.
During your 7-night stay, you'll be surrounded by giraffe, elephants, big cats and a myriad of other iconic species, all providing endless inspiration for your artwork. You'll enjoy an exceptional programme including twice-daily game drives, an exhilarating riverboat cruise, magical dining experiences beneath star-filled African skies and countless opportunities to develop your artistic skills while painting some of South Africa's most magnificent wildlife.
The Kariega protected area encompasses approximately 12,500 hectares of pristine wilderness and is home to an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including lion, black and white rhino, elephant, zebra, hippo, giraffe, numerous antelope species and much more. Few places offer such an incredible opportunity to observe and paint wildlife in its natural environment.
The retreat will be led by renowned British wildlife artist Sarah Stokes, supported by accomplished artists Jaime Moore, Laura Jayne Smith and Heather Teague, ensuring guests receive plenty of individual guidance, encouragement and tuition throughout the week.
Participants and staff will enjoy exclusive use of the luxurious Ukhozi Lodge, which truly captures the romance and intimacy of Africa. Spectacular views stretch across the river plains, while the stunning rim-flow swimming pool on the valley edge is simply iconic, offering unrivalled panoramic views across landscapes teeming with wildlife.
Meandering bush paths connect ten luxurious suites, each offering complete privacy, breathtaking vistas and its own private plunge pool. Family-owned and renowned for exceptional hospitality, Kariega is widely regarded as one of the finest private game reserves in South Africa, while Ukhozi Lodge offers an outstanding four star experience throughout your stay.
Join us from 10th–17th May 2028 and experience the magic of Africa while helping to protect some of its most iconic wildlife.
"This was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my life...
The entire holiday was exceptionally well organised, with clear and seamless communication throughout. A huge thank you to Sarah, Si, Heather, Linda and Trish, who made everything feel effortless—every detail was thoughtfully taken care of, allowing us to simply relax and enjoy the experience. Thank you as well to Katie, who was always quick to respond to any question or query in the lead-up to and during the trip—her support made the whole process even smoother. From the moment I arrived, I felt incredibly welcomed. Everything was done to ensure my stay was nothing short of amazing. Ukhozi Lodge was absolutely stunning, and the staff went above and beyond with their warm hospitality, delicious food, and outstanding service. Kariega Game Reserve itself was breathtaking—rolling hills, vast open valleys, and an incredible variety of wildlife. Our guide, Brendan, was phenomenal. His deep knowledge and passion brought every game drive to life, and he had an amazing ability to position us close to the animals while sharing invaluable tips on capturing the perfect photograph. One of the most special parts of the trip was having the time and space to paint, connect and share experiences with such a wonderful group of artists. Sarah is an inspiring and gifted teacher—her way of explaining colour theory, mixing techniques, and the effective use of watercolours is both clear and engaging. She shares her knowledge with genuine enthusiasm and joy, which makes learning from her an absolute pleasure."
Gia, 2026 Art Retreat South Africa
South African Art Retreat Itinerary
The proposed 8 day, 7 night itinerary is shown below and all excursions are organised and included. You don’t need any art experience to enjoy this tour. With Sarah guiding you through essential painting skills with her team of supporting artists, you’ll be in very safe hands as you bring your animal portraits to life on paper.
Please note that the programme maybe subject to change due to the nature of the excursions.
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Day One
11:00 onwards: Collection of guests from Port Elizabeth late morning.
14:00 Arrival at Kariega’s Ukhozi lodge. Guests shown to rooms to drop off bags.
14:30 formal welcome by Lindy, Trish and Sarah. Light lunch.
15:15 students gather their equipment, cameras, note pads and so on.
15:30 Safari drive
19:00 Free time to freshen up
19:30 Welcome meal
Day three
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Optional early morning game drive
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Breakfast
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Monochromatic wildlife studies using pen, ink and watercolour with Sarah, assisted by Heather Teague.
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Lunch
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Afternoon game drive
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Evening meal
Day five
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Optional early morning game drive
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Breakfast
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Morning painting session: Paint giraffes with Sarah and Laura
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Lunch
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Optional village tour
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Evening meal
Day seven
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Optional early morning game drive
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Breakfast
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Paint Thandi and her calf, rhinos, guided by Sarah.
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Lunch
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Afternoon game drive
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Exhibition of artwork
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Farewell evening meal
Day Two
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Optional early morning game drive
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Breakfast
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Paint an African sunset with Sarah.
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Lunch
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Afternoon game drive
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Evening meal
Day four
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Optional early morning game drive
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Breakfast
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Morning painting session: Paint a lion with Sarah.
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Lunch
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Continue painting with Sarah
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Evening meal
Day six
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Optional early morning game drive
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Breakfast
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Morning painting session: Paint birds with Sarah and Jaime
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Lunch
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Afternoon river boat cruise.
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Evening meal
Day eight
8:00 Breakfast & farewells
10:00 Departure to Port Elizabeth Airport.
Selected paintings featured are courtesy of Laura Jayne Smith and Jaime Moore.
The art experience of a lifetime
On this art safari you will be spoiled for choice in terms of the wildlife to inspire you. With the Kariega and Bushman rivers running through the reserve, together with five distinct ecosystems – including valley bushveld, savannah, fynbos, riverine forests and acacia woodland – guests are guaranteed a wonderful range of wildlife and safari trips over land as well as on the river.
During your stay, Sarah will gently guide you through a whole range of artistic skills using watercolour, charcoals and other mediums to help you bring the sights and sounds of this dramatic landscape to life on the page. New for 2028, Sarah will be joined by accomplished artists Jaime Moore, Laura Jayne Smith and Heather Teague, offering guests greater support, more demonstrations and a wider variety of artistic styles and techniques than ever before.
The retreat is absolutely teeming with wildlife in all shapes and sizes, from warthogs to buffalo, from zebra to impala, from owls to kingfishers.
Sarah Stokes and the supporting artists will help you harness better control over watercolour and other mediums, focusing on a diverse range of subjects. Building your knowledge steadily and inspired by the sights encountered on our safari drives, we will begin our artistic journey by depicting a characterful elephant in warm, desaturated colours. Once confident, we will dive deeper into watercolour, exploring its magical qualities of translucency and fluidity to depict other wildlife subjects in a loose and expressive manner.
Majestic big cats, iridescent birds and graceful giraffes will provide inspiration for a whole range of exciting and exhilarating techniques. The inspiring animals we study on this retreat will give us abundant opportunities to practise advanced techniques in depicting feathers, skin and fur, as well as the environments in which they live.
"My trip to Africa and participation in the art retreat was one of the most memorable and enriching experiences of my life. Africa was spectacular. The wildlife, landscapes, colours, sounds, and sense of adventure were beyond anything I could have imagined. Every day brought moments of awe and wonder, however, what made this journey truly extraordinary was not just the destination—it was the people. Olive and Plum created something far more meaningful than an art retreat. They created a warm, welcoming community where complete strangers quickly became lifelong friends. Their kindness, generosity, humour, encouragement, and genuine care for every participant were evident in everything they did. They managed to make each person feel seen, valued, and supported, while ensuring that every detail of the experience ran seamlessly. As someone travelling alone from Australia, I arrived hoping for a wonderful holiday and some artistic inspiration. What I left with was so much more - treasured friendships and a deep sense of gratitude. The retreat provided a rare opportunity to step away from the pressures of everyday life, immerse myself in creativity, and share extraordinary experiences with a remarkable group of people, many of whom were hilarious! It was a privilege to spend time in Africa with Sarah. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of this experience and cannot recommend it highly enough." Patricia, 2026 Art Safari, South Africa
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At this expressive art retreat, you will learn how to:
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Better understand the role of shape, tone, perspective and composition.
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Get to grips with timing and pigment control
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Create any colour you wish from a simplified colour palette and avoid muddiness
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Embrace a playful approach to the medium to help you create loose brush marks and convincing textures utilising salt, clingfilm, and masking fluid.
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Break down complex forms, both animate and inanimate to depict paintings that read well.
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Achieve depth, tone and vibrancy in a piece
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Find a harmony between loose and realistic brushwork
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Incorporate background washes and natural elements into your work such as water, skies, trees and foliage
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Paint from reference photographs and from life
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Capture a sense of time and place
Exclusive Use of the luxurious
Ukhozi Lodge
The retreat will be hosted at the award-winning Ukhozi Lodge, a place that truly captures the romance and intimacy of Africa. Nestled in the bush, you will be sleeping in one of 10 superbly appointed, air-conditioned luxury suites, crafted from log, each with a private plunge pool and deck offering panoramic views.
The lodge boasts unique African-style lounges, restaurant and boma for candlelit dining. Views are spectacular and the beautiful rim-flow pool on the valley edge is simply iconic, offering guests an unequalled panoramic view of the river plains teeming with wildlife. Meandering bush paths connect the 10 luxurious suites.
Ukhozi Lodge is particularly well suited to couples and close friends travelling together. The suites feature a spacious open plan bedroom and bathroom design, creating a luxurious feel, whilst the toilet is housed in a separate private room with its own door.
Rooms are available as either double or twin bed occupancy, to suit your preference.
Kariega Main Lodge – Ideal for Solo Travellers
For guests travelling on their own and happy to share a chalet with other retreat guests, Kariega Main Lodge offers an excellent alternative.
Located just a short walk from Ukhozi Lodge, Main Lodge is where Sarah Stokes and the supporting artists will also be based. Guests staying here remain fully immersed in the retreat experience, dining with the group at Ukhozi Lodge and enjoying access to all retreat activities and facilities.
Accommodation at Main Lodge is arranged within charming safari chalets containing three or four bedrooms. Unlike the open plan design at Ukhozi Lodge, guests staying at Main Lodge enjoy the privacy of their own bedroom and private ensuite bathroom (with either bath or shower), whilst sharing the lounge and communal areas of the chalet with fellow retreat guests.
For many solo travellers, this offers the perfect balance of privacy and companionship — your own room and bathroom, combined with the opportunity to get to know like-minded artists throughout the week. Here is a link to a plan of the 3 bed chalet so you can see a typical layout.
If you would prefer complete privacy during your stay, we also have a private one-bedroom chalet available at Kariega Main Lodge, which is around a 10 minute walk from Ukhozi. Priced at £7,995 per person, this option gives you sole use of the entire chalet throughout the retreat, providing additional space, comfort and seclusion whilst remaining just a short walk from the main group and all retreat activities.
Video of the Lodges
If you haven't already seen it, here are videos of Ukhozi and Main Lodge.
Price & What’s included
Each place is on a shared basis, either sharing a room with a friend or partner in Ukhozi Lodge or sharing a chalet in Main Lodge and costs £6,995 each. With this retreat you will be helping fund conservation efforts. More detailed information about its rewilding and community projects can be found here. The price includes luxury shared accommodation, all meals, beverages (alcoholic and otherwise), safari drives, boat tour and return transfers from Port Elizabeth. Non-artists are welcome to accompany artists at the same cost and will still enjoy days jam packed with excursions, beautiful food and a wealth of nature to see.
What’s Included in the Retreat:
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Art Experiences:
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Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with Sarah Stokes.
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Access to a private WhatsApp group with Sarah Stokes and retreat participants around 2 weeks prior to the event.
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Exclusive Lodge Access:
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7 nights of accommodation at Ukhozi Lodge with exclusive use of the entire lodge, including common areas, workshop spaces, gardens, and swimming pool. If you choose to stay at Main Lodge, you will still have full access to Ukhozi Lodge.
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Accommodation Details:
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Ukhozi Lodge - Luxury double occupancy suites with king-size beds (twin or double), private plunge pool, viewing deck, en-suite bathroom with indoor shower and bath, hairdryer, air-conditioning, and tea/coffee facilities. Rooms will be shared either with a partner or friend of your choice.
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Main Lodge- Your own double room with ensuite, located in a 2-4 bed shared chalet (shared with other art retreat guests). Chalets have air con, tea/coffee facilities, a shared lounge.
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Complimentary mini-bar, WiFi, and a safe in each suite.
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Dining and Refreshments:
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All meals included: freshly prepared breakfasts, home-cooked dinners, and snacks/refreshments throughout the day.
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Unique daily meal offerings, including carefully prepared dishes by a private cook.
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Complimentary alcoholic beverages, water, coffee, tea, and juice.
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Transportation & Fees:
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Transfers to and from Ukhozi Lodge from your Port Elizabeth Hotel (at select times that will be advised)
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All tourist taxes and fees covered.
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Activities & Amenities:
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Conservation talk by Kariega Foundation staff.
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All game drives, boat trips, and village excursions.
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Access to gym and spa facilities at the Main Lodge.
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Complimentary safari souvenir shirt and handmade tote bag.
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Workshop Equipment:
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Tables, chairs, glass jars, printer with ink, and paper towels provided for the art workshop.
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Additional Information:
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The retreat accommodates up to 20 art guests, and every effort will be made to ensure you stay in your chosen accommodation. In case of unforeseen circumstances, alternative accommodations will be arranged.
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If you have any allergies or food intolerances, please inform us prior to the retreat.
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The lodge's accommodations have been described to the best of our ability; please inquire before booking for any specific concerns about access, facilities, or other details.
Not Included:
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Airfare
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Travel insurance (mandatory, evidence required before travel)
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Art materials (a detailed list will be provided two months prior)
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Spa treatments
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Staff gratuities
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Personal expenses such as additional drinks, snacks, souvenirs, and expenses before or after the event at Kariega Lodge.
Got any questions?
Location & Travel
Major International Airports:
Oliver Tambo Airport Johannesberg or Cape Town International Airport
Internal flight to Port Elizabeth Airport.
Transfers from: Port Elizabeth on day 1 of the event are included, delivered by Transport Company Pembry Tours. It is recommended that you stay in Port Elizabeth the night before day 1 of the retreat so you are rested and are there in time for the transfers. We provide a list of hotels on booking.
You'll be provided with the full details when you book.
Fundraising for the Kariega Foundation
We are proud to have teamed up with Trish & Phil Ligget, who run Freedom to Roam Adventures (a not for profit organisation). Their aim, like ours, is to support conservation, educational and community initiatives with trusted partners such as the Kariega Foundation.
We have already raised over £70,000 for this worthy organisation. You too can help this worthy cause! When you book your retreat to South Africa, some of the money will be donated to the Kariega Foundation, a non-profit Trust pioneering the sustainable protection of biodiverse landscapes in South Africa’s, Eastern Cape Province via the unique approach of building conservation through community.
In the words of Lindy Sutherland, CEO of the Kariega Foundation:
“As custodians of this wilderness, we understand that if it does not serve us all, the wildlife, fauna and flora as well as the neighbouring communities, we will have failed in our mission to protect it forever. Sustainable conservation demands that we build conservation through community.”
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