Art Retreat in South Africa

Experience a once-in-a-lifetime adventure combining wildlife, art, and conservation in South Africa.

You’ll stay at Running Wild Conservation, an ethical wildlife reserve dedicated to protecting cheetahs, lions, small wild cats, meerkats, and other endangered species. Nestled at the foot of the Magaliesburg mountains, the reserve offers wide-open savannahs, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable encounters with wildlife.

Your days will flow between volunteering and painting. You’ll take watercolor classes with Lily Marfisi, learning how to observe and paint animals from life in their natural surroundings. Painting an animal while sharing the same space—their presence, their energy—is a completely different experience. It creates a deep, authentic connection that transforms the way you paint.

No experience is needed. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned artist, Lily will guide you individually and adapt to your pace. All materials are provided, and you’ll head home with your own original artworks inspired by the animals you met.

You’ll also take part in the reserve’s hands-on volunteer work: daily care, food prep and feeding, cleaning enclosures, behavioral observations, and occasionally joining special missions depending on what the animals need (such as helping newly rescued wildlife or tracking animals in the field).

Along the way, you’ll dive into eye-opening conservation learning, exploring how an ethical reserve works, the challenges of protecting threatened species, and how your actions contribute to real-world conservation efforts.

Every day brings something new—new animals, new experiences, new emotions.

You’ll also enjoy a full-day safari in Pilanesberg National Park, where you can spot elephants, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and many more roaming free.

During your downtime, relax by the pool, wander through nature, spend time with the animals on site, and soak in the breathtaking sunsets.

This retreat is for anyone who loves animals and nature, wants to make a difference, and feels called to capture the beauty of wildlife through art.