South Africa Safari Painting Retreat - April 18–25 2027, Manyoni Private Game Reserve (Patreon)

Before we dive in, I’m so excited to announce that I’ll be hosting not one but TWO painting retreats in Spring/Summer 2027. The first is this extraordinary Safari Painting Retreat in South Africa this April, and the second will be a beautiful retreat to Ireland in June 2027. I’ll be sending a separate post after this one with all the details about Ireland, but for now I cannot wait to share this South African adventure with you.

https://www.pathwaypartners.co.za/event/watercolour-in-the-wild-harriet-de-winton-11/register

Photo Credit Farwood Photography (Ant!)

I am so excited to finally invite you to join me in South Africa for a very special Safari Painting Retreat in the breathtaking Manyoni Private Game Reserve. April 18–25, 2027

Find out all about it here!

This retreat is hosted by Pathway Partners, and you are hearing about it first before we officially launch the retreat on YouTube tomorrow.

For one unforgettable week, this extraordinary wilderness becomes our art studio.

Excited? Book your space!

Each day we’ll follow the rhythm of the bush, with Game Drives in the early morning and late afternoon, spotting incredible wildlife in their natural habitat.

In the quieter hours between drives, I’ll be leading daily watercolour sessions inspired by everything we’ve seen that day; from native plants and bush landscapes to simple animal studies and sketchbook work.

Explore the venue

Later in the week, we’ll even begin taking our sketchbooks out on the Game Drives themselves.

This retreat is designed to feel like a true creative adventure; immersive, inspiring and deeply restorative.

https://www.pathwaypartners.co.za/event/watercolour-in-the-wild-harriet-de-winton-11/register

We’ll stay for 7 nights in beautiful luxury bushveld accommodation, surrounded by the sounds and scenery of the reserve.

Everything is taken care of for you:

- All meals included

- Drinks and snacks throughout the trip

- Twice-daily Game Drives

- Luxury accommodation

- A visit to meet Rachel and Rambo, two rescue elephants at a local sanctuary

This experience is less about intensive studio painting and more about immersing ourselves in the Safari experience, then capturing those moments in paint and sketchbook form together. We’ll be painting Flowers and native plants, Simple bush landscapes, Watercolour animal studies, Sketchbook observations, Plein air studies in the reserve.

Paint with me in South Africa

Painting sessions will run for approximately 3 hours each day, with plenty of free time for your own self-guided painting and sketching too. I’ll always be on hand to help and guide you outside the formal sessions as well.

https://www.pathwaypartners.co.za/event/watercolour-in-the-wild-harriet-de-winton-11/register

I warmly welcome painters of all abilities, though it’s helpful to already have a grasp of basic watercolour techniques. An extra bonus, Ant (my husband and brilliant wildlife photographer) is coming along too!

If you’re completely new to watercolour, I’d recommend exploring some of the tutorials on my YouTube channel before the retreat to help familiarise yourself with the medium.

This retreat is perfect for solo travellers or friends and family travelling together. If you're someone who loves wildlife and you dream of experiencing Safari creatively, then this is the perfect trip for you!

Book your space

The group size is intentionally intimate, with just 12 guests.

I am so excited for this painting adventure; it combines a lot of things that I love. Having returned from a safari only last year I am desperate to get back out there and experience it with a group of fellow watercolour fans!

South Africa Safari Painting Retreat - April 18–25 2027, Manyoni Private Game Reserve