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Freedom to Roam Adventures

Art Safari,

South Africa

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FREEDOM TO ROAM ADVENTURES Presents FTRA Art Safari

With SARAH STOKES, artist

Join me on a transformative journey at the breathtaking Kariega Game Reserve, where luxury and creativity converge in an all-inclusive experience. From the moment you're greeted at Port Elizabeth Airport, every detail is meticulously handled, ensuring a seamless and worry-free adventure for all guests. Whether you're traveling solo or with a partner, our dedicated team is committed to providing a safe, luxurious, and unforgettable retreat, allowing you to focus on your artistic journey in the most incredible of surroundings. 


In early 2024, I led 2 highly successful art retreats at the Kariega Game Reserve, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Working with the UK non-profit organisation, Freedom To Roam Adventures, over £40,000 for the Kariega Foundation was raised which is helping to fund the ongoing repopulation of endangered species, such as, lions, cheetahs, white and black rhino and a host of other animals and indigenous plant species. We've raised the bar and each retreat will raise a massive £30,000!

 

2026 offers an extended 8 day stay on the 12,500 hectare private game reserve. During this retreat you will get to spend 7 nights in the most stunning of locations with giraffe, big cats, elephants and a myriad of other iconic species to inspire your artwork. You will be treated to a whole host of activities with twice daily game drives, an exhilarating riverboat tour, magical dining experiences under the starry night skies and the opportunity to paint a host of South Africa’s majestic creatures. 

 

The Kariega protected area comprises approximately 12,500 hectares of pristine wilderness, home to all manner of wildlife including big cats (lion), rhino, both black and white, elephant, zebra, hippo, giraffe, a variety of antelope, and much, much more. It will be led by the renowned British artist Sarah Stokes. 

 

The course participants, and staff  will have exclusive use of the luxurious Ukhozi Lodge, which truly captures the romance and intimacy of Africa. 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 teaming with wild animals. Meandering bush paths connect 10 luxurious suites, each offering complete privacy with their own breath-taking vistas and private plunge pools. Kariega is known as one of the very best game reserves in South Africa.  This lodge is family owned and of the highest, 5 star, standard.

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A personal experience, with only 20 places available

So that everyone can receive personal tuition and attention only 20 places are available.

 

During your stay, I 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. You will be given the time, space and skill sets to observe, sketch, photograph, forage, journal and paint on this all immersive experience. 

 

Whether you’re a compete beginner or an intermediate, by the end of your stay, you will have created a series of sketches, diary notes and paintings that will be a wonderful and lasting memory of your time in this stunning location.

Everything is included during your stay - all accommodation and transfers to and from the reserve, safari and art activities, food, alcoholic drinks, levies, gratuities and a healthy donation to the Kariega Foundation.

 

All Flights, UK airport transfers & travel insurance are not included. 

 

Internal transfers to and from Port Elizabeth Airport are included

the experience of a lifetime in conjunction with FTRA!

Not only will participants have the absolute privilege of being guided by me, but you will enjoy a truly unique opportunity to learn in an incredible environment.  

 

You'll have the unique opportunity to get close to non-predatory fauna available to you and the flora, birds and smaller creatures will be integral. An artists’ dream!  

 

The whole event has been made possible by FTRA, Freedom To Roam Adventures. Trish Liggett, founder of FTRA, is also a wildlife photographer, so will be on hand to assist with basic skills of being behind a lens.  Game drives and walks with their rangers will form an integral part of the course.

Here is a some background information about the organisers FTRA, from Trish Liggett herself.

"Freedom To Roam Adventures is a tiny business, the brainchild of Trish Liggett, assisted by Phil Liggett, "Voice of Cycling". We have already run Mountain Bike safaris in Kariega and are now spreading our wings into Art with Sarah Stokes. To let everyone know who might be joining us, we take no renumeration whatsoever for organising our courses, but only essential actual expenses are taken out. All profits go directly to the Kariega Foundation. We do this for the love of wildlife and the land in which it thrives."

sample Itinerary

The proposed itinerary is shown below, with all excursions organised & included. You don't need any art experience to enjoy this tour. 

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Day One

11:00 onwards: Collection of guests from Port Elizabeth Airport or The Beach Hotel 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 

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Day three

07:30 Breakfast

08:30 Riverboat tour with the chance to photograph water birds such as kingfishers and storks.

11.30 Art class: creating a water bird  in watercolour part 1

13:00 Light lunch 

13:30  Art class: creating a waterbird in watercolour part 2 

15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras

18:30 Free time to freshen up 

19:30 Evening meal 

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Day five

06.30 Optional early morning game drive

09:00 Breakfast 

10:00 Art class: masterclass on colour mixing and trouble shooting 

13:00 Light lunch 

14:00 Trip to village school to see community projects 

15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras 

18:30 Free time to freshen up

19:30 Evening meal 

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Day seven

06.30  Optional early morning game drive

09:00 Breakfast 

10:00 Art class: independent painting with help from Sarah 

13:00 light lunch 

14:00 Finish work and set up mini exhibition

15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras 

18:30 Free time to freshen up

19:30 Final celebration meal 

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Day Two

06.30 Optional early morning game drive

09:00 Breakfast

10:00 Art class: creating a watercolour elephant part 1

13:00 Light lunch

13:30 Art class: creating a watercolour elephant part 2

15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras 

18:30 Free time to freshen up

19:30 Evening meal with guest speaker 

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Day four

06:30 Optional Safari drive with journals/cameras

09:00 Breakfast 

10:00 Art class: painting a big cat part 1

13:00 Light lunch 

14:00 Art class: painting a big cat part 2

15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras

 

18:30 Free time to freshen up

19:30 Evening meal 

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Day six

06.30 Optional early morning game drive

09:00 Breakfast 

10:00 Art class: painting a giraffe part 1

13:00 Light lunch 

14:00 Art class: painting a giraffe part 2

15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras 

18:30 Free time to freshen up

19:30 Evening meal 

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Day eight

8:00 Breakfast & farewells 

10:00 Departure to Port Elizabeth Airport.

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a trip that makes a real difference...

PRICE AND WHAT'S INCLUDED

Find out more about the price and what's included at: https://www.oliveandplumretreats.com/south-africa 

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