Join me, Sharon Kuisis on this 10 day journey of exploration & art, a journey of discovery, where you’ll master
Travel journaling, Watercolours, Botanical painting, Dry Point Etching printing and Miniature Oils & Cyanotype
amidst breathtaking landscapes in Sutherland, Tankwa Karoo and the Cederberg.
Enjoy comfortable accommodation nestled in the heart of these unique areas, each offering various delicious local cuisine. You’ll stare up at the expanse of stars during a mesmerizing stargazing evening in Sutherland and unearth the origins of art in the captivating Rock Art Paintings of the magnificent Cederberg.
Whether you are an experienced artist or just starting out, you will find plenty of inspiration.
Don’t miss this chance to combine art, exploration, and unforgettable experiences. Reserve your spot now and experience the Karoo like never before….
Program
Please note that each accommodation has a meal option or restaurant facility and that all meals are payable by yourselves and are optional.
You are welcome to bring your own meals for Rooikloof Lodge and Kromrivier Cederberg as the units have a kitchen. Gannaga Lodge does not have self catering facilities.
Each lesson is optional, you are more than welcome to let me know if you’d prefer to paint on your own on some of the days.
Day 1 – 19th October– Sutherland – Rooikloof Guest Farm
2 to 5pm Arrive at Rooilkloof Guest farm
6.30pm Dinner at the Farm (Please bring your own drinks)
Day 2 – 20th October – Sutherland – Rooikloof Guest Farm
We will supply Coffee/Tea and rusks & cereals at the farm.
8.30 – 12.30 Lesson for the Day – Introduction to Travel Journalling & Pen & Ink Lesson
2.30pm Practice or book a tour at SALT (for own cost)
5 pm Dinner at Ou Meule Restaurant in Sutherland
8-9.30pm – Special Treat! Stargazing at the Sterland with Jurg
Day 3 – 21 October – Tankwa Karoo – Gannaga Lodge
7.30 am Self help Breakfast at the Farm and leave for Gannaga Lodge which is on the escarpment of the Roggerveld Berge
Lessons along the way!
2pm – Lunch at Gannaga Lodge restaurant and settle in – Decorate your travel Journals
6.30pm Dinner at Restaurant
Day 4 – 22 October – Tankwa Karoo – Gannaga Lodge
7.30 am Buffet Breakfast at Gannaga Lodge Restaurant
8.30 – 12.30 Colour mixing using a limited palette which teaches you to utilize value rather than colour, and gives you better colour harmonies. Learn how to see the colours of the Karoo. – You may do this in any medium
1pm Lunch at Gannaga Lodge Restaurant
2.30 -5 pm Optional – Watercolour techniques & textures
6.30 Dinner at Gannaga Lodge Restaurant & Starry Art Night
Day 5 – 23 October – Tankwa Karoo – Gannaga Lodge
7.30 for 8am Buffet Breakfast at Gannaga Lodge restaurant
8.30 – 1.30 Gannaga Pass – Learn how to capture atmospheric perspective
Then we make our way down to the Old abandoned houses and use your new skills and learn about linear perspective
Late Lunch at Gannaga Lodge restaurant
Continue with artworks or relax
7pm Dinner at Gannaga Lodge Restaurant
Day 6 – 24 October – Gannaga Lodge to Kromrivier Cederberg Park
Pack a breakfast & lunch for the road
7.30 am Leave Gannaga Lodge and make our way through the Tankwa Karoo National Park, stopping briefly at the famous quirky Tankwa Padstal, then making our way over the Swartruggens mountains with its incredible views, over Skittery and Katbakkies Pass. We will stop at Die Dorp op Die Berg for fuel & Groceries.
We then make our way into the Cederberg to our next destination.
We will be stopping along the way to take photos and do quick sketches in the travel journals.
5-6 pm Arrive at Kromrivier Cederberg Park
7pm – 8.30 Dinner at Die Slee
Day 7 – 25 October– Kromrivier Cederberg
Breakfast
Full Day Dry Point Etching on Plexiglass – use the mark making skills learnt during your pen & ink lesson, to create beautiful prints of your journey. You can even use watercolours to add colour afterwards!
Dinner
Day 8 – 26 October – Kromrivier Cederberg
Day of Contemplation – a day to yourself!
Kromrivier offers Birdwatching, Horse Riding, Short Hikes, and fishing in the Dams Or try the wines at Cederberg Wines just down the road.
Day 9 – 27 October – Kromrivier Cederberg
Breakfast
8 for 8.30 Stadsal Caves – these are a ‘must’ for all Cederberg visitors and keen photographers could spend hours here capturing the play of light and shadows on the open caves and rock formations, taking a easy walk through time to where art first began, sit and sketch or paint in any medium
Afternoon Free or Optional – Miniature Oil Painting Lesson
Dinner
Day 10 – 28 October – Kromrivier Cederberg
Breakfast
8.30 -12.30 Botanical Painting & Cyanotype Printing
Lunch
3-4pm Reflection
6pm Braai at Chalet
Day 11 – 29 October – Home
8 am Breakfast and time to say our goodbyes!
*Times/itinerary might vary slightly day to day.
COSTS
Packages
Single Package R26550.00
Sharing Package R23500.00
Non Participant – R12700 (sharing only)
Includes:
10 nights Accommodation ( 2 nights at Rooikloof Guest Farm – 3 nights at Gannaga Lodge – 5 nights at Kromrivier Cederberg Park Luxury Chalets)
Organization
Tuition as described in itinerary
Bespoke Leather Travel Journal
Comprehensive set of art materials to cover all techniques.
Star Gazing evening at Sutherland
Stadsal Rocks Entrance fee
Park fees
Tote bag with art goodies & gift
Custom Information Booklet on Areas & Plants
Use of Fabric paints and pens
*Use of Oil Paints & Printing Press
* Bring your own Watercolour materials and get R700 off the package
Excludes:
Meals, drinks, gratuities and transport – please see itinerary for details
Mandatory Travel Insurance
Excludes Materials you need to bring:
Pad of Watercolour Paper
A5 sketchbook/visual diary
Bull clips (this is to clip things down during outdoor sessions)
Apron
If using oils or acrylics
Canvas Panels
Paints of own choice
Palette
Oil Paint or Acrylic Brushes
Palette Knife Set – not plastic!
- Map of Route
NB !! Please note you will need a car with good ground clearance as we will be travelling on gravel roads after Sutherland and down a rocky pass – a SUV is preferable
https://goo.gl/maps/HQgVzJG1CbLV2Ny99
Accommodation Details
Please note: I have booked all the accommodation in advance and your particular rooms will be chosen on a first come first serve basis.
- NB – if you book a place you will be held responsible for the monies according to their cancellation policy unless I find someone to take your place.
19/20th October – Sutherland – Rooikloof Guest Farm
Huis Harpuis:
This beautiful historical homestead has been restored to its former self and offers place for up to eight adults.
The artfully furnished living room has a fireplace with which you can allay the icy winters the region is known for. There are barbecue facilities where one can grill succulent Karoo lamb, one of the area’s foremost dishes. A wide long stone corridor, which provides welcome relief in the summer months, runs the entire length of the house. Sleeping accommodation consists of two large double rooms for couples and two further rooms each with two single beds.
Huis Harpuis has 1 bathroom , separate WC and separate shower. Bedding, towels, heaters and electric blankets are provided.
Spekbossie: Booked
Huis Harpuis also has an annex flatlet, Spekbossie. This is a fully furnished flat with 1 double bed, en-suite with shower and kitchenette with bar fridge,microwave and coffee making facilities; as well as a Welcome Dover stove for extra heat in addition to the panel wall heater and electrical blanket. This flatlet is used as a fifth bedroom of Huis Harpuis.
Renosterbos Cottage:
Here your first impression may be captured by the wide red polished stoep overlooking the farm. This cosy cottage still has its original wooden floors, high ceilings and thick walls. Above its own hearth is the old drying loft accessible from an external stone staircase. Antiques handed down over the generations are in harmony with the Victorian features. A fully equipped kitchen gives easy access to splendid outdoor barbecue facilities. Accommodation for six people is made up of two double bedrooms and a further room with two single beds. Bedding, towels, heaters and electric blankets are provided
Mossiesnes Annexure:
2 twin beds with en-suite shower
- Lunch and dinner will be for your own cost
21/22/23 October – Tankwa Karoo – Gannaga Lodge in Roggerveld Berge
About
“Gannaga Lodge is situated in 20 hectares of its own ground within the Tankwa National Park. It is located in some of the most spectacular countryside in the Northern Cape, at the summit of the breathtaking Gannaga Pass. The Lodge lies 29 kilometres from Middelpos on the dirt road between there and Ceres. The lodge offers 10 comfortable rooms, situated in either the newly-restored Old Farmhouse or the converted Stable Block. It the only establishment offering B&B accommodation and restaurant facilities within the boundaries of the National Park. Unlike the Tankwa National Park, Gannaga Lodge does not offer self-catering accommodation. The reception building is newly constructed from local stone retrieved from old farm outbuildings, is air-conditioned and contains a well-stocked bar, spacious lounges, the dining room and a meeting room suitable for seminars and small conferences. From here, guests can enjoy glorious views towards Langkloof and over the Gannaga Pass.” Trip Advisor
- A buffet breakfast is included in accommodation. Lunch and Dinner for your own costs.
- There is a Bar
- The Old Farm House
- Comprises 5 bedrooms. Each bedroom features a double bed or 2 single beds and an en-suite bathroom with a shower, 1 of the bathrooms has a bath. All bedrooms have white linen, towels, electric blankets, heater and fans. Coffee and tea is served in the lounge And the restaurant area
- The Stable Blocks – Each available bedroom features a double bed or 2 single beds and an en-suite bathroom with a shower, 1 of the bathrooms has a bath. All bedrooms have white linen, towels, electric blankets, Air-conditioner. Coffee and tea is served in the lounge of Farm House And the restaurant area
- Lunch and dinner will be for your own cost
Weak cell signal but there is WiFi
25-28th October – Kromrivier Cederberg Park
Luxury Chalets
Cederberg Park is a getaway retreat located on the Kromrivier Farm approximately 250km north of Cape Town. Cederberg Park is the oldest tourist destination in the heart of the Cederberg and is renowned for its well-kept chalets and exclusive campsite.
Surrounded by fynbos and majestic orange rock formations, Cederberg Park is considered a popular base for hiking, mountaineering and exploring. Splash around in the crystal-clear mountain streams, hike through untouched natural landscapes, and immerse yourself in the peace and quiet of the Cederberg mountain range.
No cell signal but there is WiFi
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be for your own cost
LUXURY CHALETS
The luxury self-catering chalets have 2 bedrooms which have en suite bathrooms, a shared spacious living area, shared fully equipped kitchen, inside and outside braai as well as bedroom fireplaces for those cosy winter evenings.
All linen (bedding, blankets and towels) is provided – the luxury chalets sleeps 4
The kitchen is well equipped with:
Large fridge, convection microwave oven, induction stove plates, coffee plunger, teapot, braai equipment, a cast-iron pot as well as crockery & cutlery for 8.
At Cederberg Park we believe that one can only experience the Cederberg tranquillity with the absence of TV at your chalet. For connectivity free Wi-Fi is available, seeing that we are out of cellphone reception.
Cancellation policy and terms and conditions: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/60a5455c4c711/web/
- All cancellation requests must be sent in writing to Cederberg Park
To Book your Place!
Payment structure:
To book your place – R4000 deposit
- 1st April 2026- R4000
- 1st July 2026– R4500
The balance of Package will be payable on the 1st September 2026
Tankwa Karoo & Cederberg Art Retreat Cancellation Policy
- 60 days or less before start of retreat Forfeit deposit of R4000 plus the applicable deposits on accommodation unless I can find someone to take your place.
- 30 days before start of retreat Forfeit 50% of Package & deposits on accommodation
- 14 days or less before start of retreat – Forfeit 100% of Package and accommodation unless I can find someone to take your place.
Please email your package choice and accommodation to me at courses@sharonkuisis.com with proof of payment.
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