Art Retreat in South Africa

at a Cheetah Conservation

Fly to South Africa for an unforgettable art experience with the cheetahs !

Join a unique art retreat in November 2025, led by Lily Marfisi in collaboration with Running Wild Conservation. For two weeks, you will experience life in an ethical wildlife reserve dedicated to protecting cheetahs and other wild animals such as lions, wild cats, meerkats, and more.

The program includes painting classes with Lily Marfisi, unique moments with the animals, safari outings, and volunteer activities to help in the reserve.

This retreat offers a rare opportunity to combine volunteering and artistic practice. You will have the unique chance to paint these majestic animals live in their natural environment and spend time with them. Additionally, you will contribute to the protection and survival of endangered species by learning and engaging in various tasks.

Your stay will take place at the foot of the Magaliesburg mountains, where you can unleash your artistic creativity in close connection with the wild animals, and surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the South African landscape.

This retreat is designed for all animal and nature lovers who wish to contribute to their protection, be part of a meaningful change, and capture their beauty through painting.

In this retreat, you will experience :

  • 2 weeks of full immersion in the Running Wild Conservation cheetah reserve, located in the Magaliesburg region, North West Province, South Africa.
  • Days will be divided into two parts: volunteering and painting.
  • You will learn to paint animals in watercolor with Lily Marfisi and explore different techniques.
  • You will have the unique opportunity to paint wild animals live in their natural habitat and spend time with them.
  • All art supplies will be provided, and no prior painting experience is required. This retreat is open to all levels.
  • You will discover life in a wildlife reserve, learn about conservation methods, and participate in essential tasks within the reserve.
  • You will have the opportunity to get to know and help cheetahs, as well as other animals in the reserve: lions, servals, caracals, meerkats, and other wild species.
  • Each week, one and a half rest days will be scheduled, including excursions such as a safari and a visit to a monkey sanctuary.
  • You will also have personal free time in the reserve to enjoy the swimming pool, walks in the reserve, local wildlife, and breathtaking sunsets.
  • This retreat will be held in both French and English simultaneously.

For more details about the retreat, please read the sections below.

Art Retreat at the cheetah conservation

Art classes with Lily Marfisi

Every day, you will participate in art classes with Lily Marfisi, where you will learn to capture the beauty of animals. Watercolor will be the primary medium, but you will also explore drawing and other techniques. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary, as Lily will guide you through every step. This retreat is open to both beginners and experienced artists.

Painting sessions will take place both indoors and outdoors, with special moments to paint wild animals live in their natural habitat. You will have the rare opportunity to observe them up close and sketch them on the spot. You will learn to ”see” and observe your subjects from a fresh perspective, capturing their details with precision while also exploring a more abstract and expressive approach.

Lily will support you throughout your creative process, helping you refine your technique and develop your unique artistic style.

This retreat will not only enhance your painting skills but also allow you to take home your own unique artworks inspired by the animals of the savanna and the African landscapes. It is a rare opportunity to develop your creativity while being immersed in an extraordinary natural and wild setting.


Volunteering in the Reserve

By joining the Running Wild Conservation volunteer program, you will directly contribute to the protection of cheetahs and other endangered wildlife species.

This retreat offers you a rare opportunity to work closely with cheetahs while learning about hands-on conservation efforts. The project is a pioneer in reintroducing cheetahs into the wild, preparing them for a free and untamed life. Many cheetahs raised and trained here are now living in the wild, as nature intended.

Volunteer tasks are diverse and require true commitment. You will be involved in essential activities such as cleaning enclosures, preparing animal meals, and distributing food.

Depending on the needs of the day, you may also take part in exceptional projects: welcoming a rescued animal, assisting in its care, tracking specific animals in the field, or helping train young cheetahs to hunt and protect themselves from predators. Each day brings its own set of challenges and unique opportunities. Nothing is predictable in advance, and you will be assigned tasks based on the needs of the moment.

Additionally, you will enjoy fascinating learning moments, where you will discover the principles of wildlife protection and conservation, as well as how an animal reserve operates.

The reserve is also home to other wildlife species such as lions, servals, caracals, meerkats, and more. Each animal receives personalized care, a spacious environment, and a semi-wild habitat that respects their nature and specific needs.

Joining this adventure means actively contributing to the preservation of iconic species while immersing yourself in the fascinating world of a wildlife reserve. It’s an experience that will change your perspective on animal conservation and leave a lasting impact on your life.

REGISTER

To register, please fill out this form.

For any questions, feel free to email us at lilymarfisi.art@gmail.com.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

DATES

From November 10 to November 24, 2025 (2 weeks).

You must arrive at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, on Monday, November 10, in the morning. Departure will be on Monday, November 24, in the morning.


PRICE

€3200 per person for the 2 weeks, all-inclusive.

(Please convert from euros to your own currency.)


What’s included in the price:

  • Painting classes with Lily Marfisi,
  • All painting materials,
  • Volunteer activities with the reserve’s animals,
  • 2 excursions outside the reserve: a safari in Pilanesberg National Park and a visit to the African market and the monkey sanctuary,
  • On-site accommodation in shared rooms,
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner),
  • Weekly laundry service,
  • Airport-reserve transfer (arrival and departure).


What’s not included in the price:

  • Airfare
  • Travel insurance


Payment terms:

Reservation deposit: A €500 deposit is required upon registration to secure your spot. This deposit is refundable if you cancel more than 3 months before departure. After this period, no refunds will be granted.

Second installment: €1150 must be paid six weeks before departure.

Final balance: The remaining €1550 will be paid directly on-site at the reserve.


Installment payment option:

Monthly payments are possible. If you wish to opt for this, please inform us upon registration to set up a suitable payment plan ensuring full payment before departure.


ACCOMMODATION

There are 4 cabins, each accommodating 4 people in 2 separate bedrooms. You will share your bedroom with one person and your cabin with three others. Each cabin has a bathroom and a communal living space. If you are coming with a friend, please indicate in your registration if you wish to share a room.

The group will be limited to 16 participants.


LANGUAGES

This retreat is offered in French and English. Lily will do the translation.


ORGANIZATION

For new participants (who have never attended a retreat with Lily), a Zoom interview will be required before finalizing your registration. Feel free to ask any questions about the retreat during this meeting or via email.

Once the group is complete, about two months before the trip, a WhatsApp group will be created, and a group Zoom call will be scheduled for practical questions before departure.

At any time, feel free to contact us via email.


CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

  • I welcome individuals with a positive attitude, open-mindedness, curiosity to learn new things, good group dynamics, willingness to volunteer, respect for others, and the ability to follow given instructions (especially for activities involving wild animals).
  • Stable physical health and the ability to walk daily.
  • An interest in animals and painting.
  • A valid passport.

REGISTER

To register, please fill out this form.

For any questions, feel free to email us at lilymarfisi.art@gmail.com.

Learn More About…

Running Wild Cheetah Conservation: A Commitment to Cheetah Survival

Cheetahs, now extinct in over 25 countries where they once roamed, face critical threats today: habitat destruction, disease, predation of young cubs, and poaching. In this context, Running Wild Cheetah Conservation stands out with its innovative and ethical approach, focused on captive breeding with reintroduction into the wild and the care of injured individuals.

Through responsible breeding programs, the cheetahs raised here benefit from rigorous genetic monitoring to improve their diversity and health. These animals, raised either by their mothers or hand-reared, undergo specific training to prepare for the wild: learning to hunt, avoiding predators, and receiving full vaccinations to strengthen their immunity. Released into predator-free reserves at around two and a half years old, they have significantly higher survival and reproduction rates compared to wild-born cheetahs, where cub mortality reaches up to 90%. Many cheetahs trained here now roam free in protected reserves.

While awaiting reintroduction, or for individuals who cannot be released, the cheetahs live in vast semi-wild enclosures where they receive personalized care tailored to their specific needs.

At the same time, the reserve serves as a sanctuary for injured, orphaned, or rescued cheetahs from abusive situations, offering them a safe space to live in peace. These efforts not only save individual animals but also actively contribute to restoring wild cheetah populations.

The cheetahs raised here are never sold or traded; destined to regain their freedom as nature intended, they are released under a guardianship system, ensuring their protection and post-release monitoring. The reserve also collaborates with other conservation projects, encouraging breeders to participate in these collective efforts to strengthen wild populations.

This mission reflects a deep commitment to preserving this iconic species, repairing the harm caused by human activity while giving cheetahs a future in the wild.

REGISTER

To register, please fill out this form.

For any questions, feel free to email us at lilymarfisi.art@gmail.com.