Art & Soul Safari:
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Ignite Your Creative Soul in Africa
Join a once-in-a-lifetime journey where wild nature meets creative rebirth — and you remember what it feels like to be fully alive, deeply inspired, and creatively free
-Blend wildlife adventure with creative exploration in the heart of South Africa
This "done for you retreat" is for you if...
You’ve been feeling stuck, bored, or creatively drained — and you’re craving a reset
You want a done-for-you safari where you just come enjoy the sites and food and new friends
Once upon a time, you used to paint, write, or create, but life got busy — and now you’re ready to return to that part of you
You want more than just a luxury trip — you want meaning,
beauty, and breakthrough moments
You’re ready to stop putting off your dreams and start living them — boldly, unapologetically, and artfully
Inaugural Art & Adventure Retreat
– Explore Your Creativity
About the Retreat
Join Artist Virginia LaMont Naegeli
in South Africa
May 1-8 2026
7 nights/8 days immersive experience
Create stunning watercolors, acrylics,
and journals inspired by your African adventure
Perfect for artists and animal lovers at all levels of experience and expertise
What You'll Experience
Wake up to the sounds of the wild, brush in hand, painting beside giraffes in golden morning light.
Learn intuitive watercolor techniques — no experience needed — to express emotion, story, and presence. Journal your journey through the lens of creativity, mindfulness, and personal growth.
Connect with a circle of people who, like you, are ready for something more: not just a vacation, but a soul adventure.
Daily Safari Game Drives
Witness the Big Five in their natural habitat with expert guides.
Guided Creative Workshops
Learn step-by-step techniques to capture the beauty around you.
Cultural Immersion
Connect with local school and teach creativity with the local children.
Nature Journaling
Document your journey with prompts and guided reflection.
You’ll come home a changed person
Not just with beautiful art or memories — but with a spark reignited.
You’ll feel more present, more confident, more creatively alive.
You’ll remember how good it feels to put yourself first.
And you’ll carry that feeling with you — in your sketchbook, in your stories, and in your heart.
Can You Just Hear The African Savanna animals?
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
Settle into your lodge, enjoy a welcome dinner, and meet your fellow artists
Days 2-4: Safari & Create
Morning game drives followed by afternoon Safari and exploring creativity sessions in between
Day 5: Cultural Excursion
Visit a local village, engage in teaching local children a creative activity prepared the day before
Day 6: Safari & Create
Morning game drive followed by afternoon Safari and exploring creativity session of your choice
Day 7: Gallery Showcase & Farewell
Display your artworks, celebrate your journey, and plan your next adventure
Day 8: Departure
Morning sunrise, breakfast and then head to the airport
Your Home for a Week
The Homestead is a private lodge that offers its guests the comfort, convenience and privacy of your own home.
With dedicated hosts, game ranger and cook, guests have the flexibility to plan their day according to their specific needs.
The Homestead is set in a remote and private part of the reserve.
With six spacious (2 person) bedrooms, all en-suite, a bar, swimming pool, satellite TV, lounge,
large garden, boma and spectacular views, it is the perfect lodge for the exclusive use of our group for our creative explorations and adventures.
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*Our itinerary at The Homestead is very flexible – with our own personal hosts, cook and game ranger the schedule can be adjusted to accommodate the requests or needs of our group.
About the Reserve
Kariega Game Reserve is a family-owned and operated Big 5 private safari reserve located in South Africa's Eastern Cape. The reserve is situated along the Garden Route, making it the perfect South African safari destination to complement a Cape Town visit and a trip along the country’s beautiful coast.
This malaria-free game lodge incorporates 12,000 hectares of pristine African wilderness, as well as two abundant rivers - the Kariega and the Bushmans rivers. Experience close up game viewing of the Big 5 - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard - as well as multitudes of other South African wildlife from the comfort of an open game drive vehicle.
Game Viewing
Experience the ultimate in luxury safari holidays at the beautiful 12,000 hectare Kariega Private Game Reserve in malaria-free Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Prepare to be captivated by close-up viewing of the Big 5 - lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard as well as a multitude of other African wild game and bird species.
Stunning Safari Drives
At Kariega, everything revolves around our twice-daily safari drives - the close-up encounters with African wildlife are the center of guests' unforgettable safari holiday.
Our experienced knowledgeable game rangers will drive you out on safari every morning and afternoon/evening in open-game-drive vehicles, traversing the valleys, grassy plains and African bushveld to bring you close to the Big 5 and other game roaming freely in their natural habitat.
If you are fortunate, you may witness the lion hunting or feeding, or even the heartwarming social interactions of an elephant herd.
Guests are taken out twice daily in open safari vehicles, usually in the early morning and late afternoon. Upon Request we will have a night drive as well.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of the African bush, while your skilled ranger provides hidden details and fascinating facts about the surrounding wildlife.
Game drives are the center of the Kariega safari experience and guests will be thrilled by close-up encounters with the likes of lion, elephant and an abundance of other African wildlife.
Plentiful African Game
Kariega Game Reserve is the perfect setting for exciting safari holidays, with abundant game and spectacular viewing. Apart from lion and elephant, the game reserve is home to the other three members of the Big 5 - rhino, buffalo and leopard. Other species abound such as hippo, hyena, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, eland, kudu, waterbuck and a variety of other antelope, as well as a myriad of bird species including the nesting crowned eagle, martial and fish eagles.
Dramatic African Bush and Landscapes
The game reserve is bordered in the east and west by the vast and dramatic Kariega and Bushmans river valleys.
On safari drives you will explore many different habitats highlighting five different ecosystems - valley bushveld, savannah grasslands, fynbos, riverine forests and acacia woodland.
The awe-inspiring African landscape will captivate your senses and the trees, grasses and plants of the Eastern Cape will divulge their secrets.
Sometimes it is the hidden secrets of the bush that guests most treasure such as memories of their safari holidays, the amazing intricacy of a spider's web or the monumental work of a dung beetle.
There is never a dull moment on safari drives; you never know what African bush experience awaits around the next corner.
There is much to do and see at Kariega Game Reserve.
Safari Tips
Don't forget your binoculars!
Bring cameras and video recorders to capture the stunning close-up sightings of lion, elephant and other wild game as well as dramatic African vistas.
You may want to go out on the exciting night drives to view nocturnal wildlife activity, so bring warm clothes (particularly in the cooler months from May to September).
What Past Guests Have Said
“This retreat changed my life. The combination of safari and art was magical!”
— Catharine LaMont, USA |
“I’ve never felt more inspired. The workshops were transformative.”
— Virginia N, USA |
"Being up close and personal with the animals was an unforgettable experience"
—Ginny L, USA |
Begin your adventure begins:
Nearest airport is Port Elizabeth
We recommend the Bay Hotel
Before the safari, we can book one or more nights on your behalf at your expense with the Beach Hotel in Port Elizabeth.
(We set a block of rooms aside for our group)
Booking accommodations information will be provided when you make your first payment.
This hotel is known as the friendly City, Port Elizabeth is a beautiful coastal hub offering everything from scuba diving to great shopping and scenic bayside restaurants.
It is the perfect spot to relax, and get prepared for your exciting Safari retreat.
River Cruises
An abundance of bird and animal life makes for exciting game viewing whilst enjoying the peace and tranquility of the dramatic river valley. During one of the morning game drives, guests at The Homestead can enjoy a majestic cruise down the Kariega river.
*Upon request additional opportunities are available
Guided Bush Walks
Kariega offers guided bush walks with our experienced rangers. This provides our guests with the opportunity of walking amongst more than 25 species of game and abundant birdlife.
Canoeing
Take one the canoes for a leisurely paddle down the Bushmans river and watch in blissful silence as the river birds and animals go about their daily business.
Fishing
Guests at all lodges can enjoy river fishing on either the Kariega or Bushmans rivers. River Lodge and Settlers Drift are perfectly situated for keen fisherman, where guests can fish in the Bushmans river from a boat or canoe.
Pricing & Availability
$4,680 per person all inclusive 2 person per room (only 12 spots available) 7 nights 8 days
Discount for cash or cashiers check-$180
Deposit: $2,340 non refundable to reserve your spot by Oct 1 (if the retreat is cancelled you will get a full refund)
Discount for cash or cashiers check (some are choosing Venmo) $2,250
Transfer Fees included:
Your Pick up from the from The Beach Hotel in Port Elizabeth the morning of May 1 and then you will return to Port Elizabeth Airport on May 8
*Need Shirt Size upon Reservation
*All Art Materials are included
*Dietary info needed with final by Dec 1
*All Art Materials are included
*Dietary info needed with final by Dec 1
Spots are intentionally limited to keep this experience intimate, personal, and powerful.
If your heart is saying yes — don’t wait.
Let this be your bold move.
Your next chapter.
Your adventure of a lifetime.
Click below to reserve your place — your soul (and your creativity) will thank you.
If your heart is saying yes — don’t wait.
Let this be your bold move.
Your next chapter.
Your adventure of a lifetime.
Click below to reserve your place — your soul (and your creativity) will thank you.
Rates Include:
* Game drives twice daily scheduled at guests leisure
*All meals and selected beverages planned and scheduled at guests leisure
*River cruise and guided bush walks
*Private hosts, game ranger and cook
*Seven spacious and comfortable suites (2 per room)with overhead fans
*En-suite bathrooms with generous showers
*King-size beds (twin or double)
*Pub lounge with satellite TV and fireplace
*Main kitchen
*Presentation kitchen
*Dining room and lounge with fireplace
*Private outdoor boma
*Private outdoor deck with fireplace
*Private outdoor patio and swimming pool
*Laundry room
*Hair dryer
*WiFi/Internet connectivity
*Safe & telephone
*Tea & coffee making facilities
Booking conditions
*Non refundable deposit to Art Yourself Studio due by Oct 1 2025 (this is needed to hold your spot and assure this retreat will happen) If retreat is cancelled for any reason you will get a full refund
*Final payment of full accommodations, Transfer fees and other charges is due and payable to Art Yourself Studio by December 1 2025
*Kariega reserves the right to cancel the booking should payment not be received. For last minute reservations, full payment is required upon confirmation.
*Full rates will apply no matter whether a guest misses any meals or activities included in the rates.
Q & A Facilities and Accommodation
Is there Wi-Fi on the game reserve?
Yes, Wi-Fi is available in our lodge The Homestead.
What is the electricity supply and do we need to bring adaptors?
The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50HZ. Our suites and chalets have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and appliances. Some US-made appliances may need a transformer. The South African plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prong, with round pins. Reception can also provide adaptors.
What does 'selected beverages' mean?
Non-alcoholic beverages, local beers, wine and spirits.
Do you cater for Haalal, Kosher or Vegan diets?
Kariega Game Reserve caters Halaal dishes but unfortunately not Kosher.
Vegan options can be arranged with prior notice. If you have any other specific dietary requirements please let us know, and we will try our best to accommodate you.
Are there laundry facilities at Kariega?
Yes, Kariega offers laundry facilities at all our lodges at an additional fee.
Yes, Wi-Fi is available in our lodge The Homestead.
What is the electricity supply and do we need to bring adaptors?
The South African electricity supply is 220/230 volts AC 50HZ. Our suites and chalets have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and appliances. Some US-made appliances may need a transformer. The South African plugs are 15 amp 3-prong or 5 amp 2-prong, with round pins. Reception can also provide adaptors.
What does 'selected beverages' mean?
Non-alcoholic beverages, local beers, wine and spirits.
Do you cater for Haalal, Kosher or Vegan diets?
Kariega Game Reserve caters Halaal dishes but unfortunately not Kosher.
Vegan options can be arranged with prior notice. If you have any other specific dietary requirements please let us know, and we will try our best to accommodate you.
Are there laundry facilities at Kariega?
Yes, Kariega offers laundry facilities at all our lodges at an additional fee.