Join Jess Pritchard for an Exclusive Art Retreat in South Africa
Step into the breathtaking Kariega Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape for an exclusive art retreat with multi-award-winning wildlife conservation artist Jess Pritchard. This extraordinary experience combines the stunning beauty of a 12,500-hectare private game reserve with Jess’s expertise in wildlife art, offering a unique opportunity to refine your artistic skills in one of the world’s most inspiring locations. Known for her intricate, nature-inspired work, Jess’s passion for capturing the natural world shines through every session, ensuring a rewarding and creative experience for artists of all levels.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll learn techniques to elevate your wildlife art. From drawing lifelike animal eyes that exude depth and soul to mastering fur and skin textures, Jess will guide you step-by-step. You’ll create a stunning lion portrait and refine your skills in capturing the intricate patterns of zebra stripes and the rugged texture of elephant skin. With lessons on tonal values, light, and shadow, Jess will help you bring your artwork to life while building your confidence as an artist.
The African wilderness will be your ultimate classroom, with twice-daily game drives bringing you face-to-face with lions, elephants, rhinos, and other majestic animals. You’ll sketch these incredible scenes, capturing quick impressions before transforming them into polished pieces under Jess’s expert guidance. Using dramatic contrasts, black paper, and white pencil techniques, you’ll create striking, high-impact artwork. The retreat concludes with a celebratory mini exhibition, showcasing the creativity and progress of all participants.
This transformative experience is made possible through our partnership with Trish and Phil Liggett, founders of Freedom to Roam Adventures, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting conservation, education, and community initiatives alongside the Kariega Foundation. With every booking, £1,650 is donated to the Kariega Foundation, contributing to the sustainable protection of South Africa’s Eastern Cape landscapes.
Your retreat will be complemented by luxurious accommodation at the award-winning Ukhozi Lodge. Nestled in the bush, you’ll stay in a private suite complete with air-conditioning, a plunge pool, and a deck offering panoramic views of the reserve. The lodge’s African-style lounges, a boma for magical candlelit dining, and a stunning rim-flow pool overlooking the wildlife-filled plains provide the perfect space to relax and reflect on your creative journey.
This retreat is a rare opportunity to combine expert art instruction, the adventure of the African wilderness, and a meaningful contribution to conservation efforts. Let Jess Pritchard and the inspiring beauty of Kariega take your creativity to new heights.
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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 Jess guiding you through essential painting skills and FTRA’s Trish Liggett there to help you with your photographic techniques, 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 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 Jess. 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
07:30 Breakfast
08:30 Riverboat tour with the chance to photograph water birds such as kingfishers and storks.
11.30 Exploring Fur and Skin Textures with Jess: Today, you'll discover how to draw the varying fur and skin types of the animals that you have observed in the African landscape. From long, to short, to patterned fur and elephant skin; learn how to add depth to the different textures and how light & shadow adjusts the tones and colours.
13:00 Light lunch
13:30 Art class with Jess Part 2: Continuing on from the morning, this session focuses on simplifying animal skin.
15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras
18:30 Free time to freshen up
19:30 Evening meal
Day five
06.30 Optional early morning game drive
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Sketching and Developing Artwork with Jess: Today you'll be sketching in the African landscape, with the opportunity to develop sketches into completed works.
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
Day seven
06.30 Optional early morning game drive
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Creating High-Contrast Art with Jess. Using just one white pencil on black paper, you will be taught how to produce a high-contrast piece through tonal values, plus the light and shadow skills learned on day 6.
13:00 light lunch
14:00 Mini Exhibition: Finish work and set up mini exhibition. Curate a mini exhibition featuring your completed works and sketches from the retreat. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your creative growth and share your achievements with others.
15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras
18:30 Free time to freshen up
19:30 Final celebration meal
Day Two
06.30 Optional early morning game drive
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Mastering Animal Eyes with Jess. In today's art classes, you'll how to drawn animal eyes with coloured pencils using tonal values. During the sessions you will discover how to draw the glassy surface of an eyeball and the fur texture which surrounds it. You will also master the secret ingredient to add life and soul to an eye.
13:00 Light lunch
13:30 Art Class with Jess Part 2: Drawing animal eyes
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 Creating a Lion Portrait with Jess: Using skills learned in the first 2 days, you will draw a male lion portrait from start to finish. The sessions today will focus on the importance of facial expression and how to achieve depth in thick mane fur.
13:00 Light lunch
14:00 Art Class with Jess
Part 2: Creating a lion portrait on coloured paper
15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras
18:30 Free time to freshen up
19:30 Evening meal
Day six
06.30 Optional early morning game drive
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Transforming Art with Light and Shadow with Jess: Developing sketches into finished artwork. Today you will discover how strong light and shadow can not only transform but also add drama to a piece. Drawing on black paper, you will find how a darker surface can illuminate light colours.
13:00 Light lunch
14:00 Art class with Jess Part 2: Developing a strong contrast piece
15:30 Safari drive with journals/cameras
18:30 Free time to freshen up
19:30 Evening meal
Day eight
8:00 Breakfast & farewells
10:00 Departure to Port Elizabeth Airport.
The art experience of a lifetime
Imagine spending a week in the heart of South Africa’s Kariega Game Reserve, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, incredible wildlife, and like-minded people who share your love of art. This isn’t just a retreat - it’s an experience that combines creativity, adventure, and a touch of luxury, all guided by the incredibly talented Jess Pritchard.
Jess is a multi-award-winning wildlife conservation artist from the UK, known for her breathtakingly realistic wildlife pieces created with graphite and coloured pencils. Her work has been showcased in prestigious exhibitions, including London’s Mall Galleries and the Oxo Tower, with her tiger portrait "Hear Me Roar" selected as the hero piece for the Wildlife Artist of the Year exhibition in 2023. As an ambassador for Derwent Art and the founder of her own wildlife fund, Jess is deeply committed to raising awareness about conservation through her art. Her passion, skill and approachable teaching style make her a truely inspiring mentor, whether you’re a seasoned artist or just starting out.
Throughout the retreat, Jess will guide you step by step through a variety of artistic techniques. You’ll learn how to capture the life and soul of animal eyes, master the intricacies of fur and skin textures, and create stunning wildlife portraits using light and shadow for dramatic effect. Twice-daily safari drives will immerse you in the incredible wildlife of Kariega, giving you endless inspiration for your work. Jess will also show you how to refine your sketches from the field into polished, high-impact pieces that reflect your personal style and growth as an artist.
Back at the award-winning Ukhozi Lodge, you’ll unwind in luxurious surroundings that perfectly complement the retreat’s creative energy. With private suites, plunge pools and panoramic views of the wildlife-filled plains, the lodge offers the perfect space to relax and connect with fellow artists. By the end of the week, you’ll leave with a stunning portfolio of artwork, a deeper connection to wildlife art and unforgettable memories of an inspiring week with Jess in one of the world’s most extraordinary locations.
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What you will learn from Jess Pritchard:
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How to draw lifelike animal eyes with coloured pencils, including mastering tonal values, realistic textures, and adding soul to an eye.
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Techniques for capturing the diverse fur and skin textures of African wildlife, from sleek zebra stripes to the rugged skin of elephants.
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Step-by-step guidance to create a stunning male lion portrait, focusing on facial expression, depth, and thick mane fur.
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How to develop sketching skills by observing and capturing the African landscape and wildlife, and transforming sketches into polished artwork.
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The transformative power of light and shadow in your art, and how to use black paper to create bold, dramatic contrasts.
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How to produce high-contrast artwork using a single white pencil on black paper, exploring tonal values and creating impactful pieces.
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The opportunity to showcase your creations in a mini exhibition, celebrating your progress and artistic journey.
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 sleeping in 1 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 candle lit 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 reaming with wild animals. Meandering bush paths connect the 10 luxurious suites.
Video of the Lodge
If you haven't already seen it, here is a video of the lodge.
Price & What’s included
Each place is on a shared basis and costs £6,600 each of which £1,650 is donated directly to the Kariega Foundation to help fund its invaluable conservation work. 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), photographic workshops safari and boat tours and return transfers from Port Elizabeth Airport. 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 Jess Pritchard
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Access to a private WhatsApp group with Jess 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.
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Accommodation Details:
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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 of your choice or a participant of the same gender.
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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 Port Elizabeth Airport or The Beach Hotel in Port Elizabeth (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 Airport at 11am on day 1 of the event & our Transport Company Pembry Tours will also pick up from the 4 start Beach Hotel, in Port Elizabeth for those arriving early.
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.
£40,000 has already been raised for this worthy conservation charity. You too can help this worthy cause! When you book your retreat to South Africa, £1,650 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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