People all over the world are discovering what the Europeans have known for decades: there’s no better way to escape on vacation than by taking a painting holiday. What a wonderful way to shake off those rat-race blues! Whether you can paint or not, most painting breaks cater to all abilities.

Although the painting holiday concept isn’t nearly as popular in Africa as it is in Europe, or even North America, there are a few wonderfully talented art tutors offering painting vacations in South Africa. Each has its own unique twist – some are in the Cape offering beautiful sea views, others are in the Drakensburg mountains, offering tranquil cottage-style living.

As with all painting holiday packages around the world, each one caters to a different audience and price bracket. So it’s important to know what you are paying for, especially if you are traveling from outside of Africa and don’t want any expensive surprises when you get there. Always ensure that you know what is supplied and what isn’t. For example, some operators only supply the painting venue and the classes, not the accommodations or the paints.

All good operators will supply you with a list of items to bring with you, as well as what you can purchase at the venue. Also check the itinerary to see which meals are included, otherwise you may end up having to use your spending money for that, too. With all that said, almost everything you want or need to buy is dirt cheap in South Africa. An average meal at a quality restaurant will cost around R50 ($5) and a good bottle of Cape wine about the same.

Most tutors can supply you with the necessary paints, and other equipment. Art supplies are so cheap in South Africa you may just want to buy them after you arrive. If you already paint, then take your brushes with you and supplement your supplies there as you need. The way I transport my brushes is to tie them together with masking tape, pop them into a tube, fill the tube with cotton wool so the brushes can’t move and then seal the tube with masking tape. The more painting holidays you go on the more tricks like this you’ll learn.

South African weather is pretty hot year-round, so pack cool clothes, sun block and a hat that also covers your neck. Night can be cool, though, so throw in a light jacket for good measure. Check with your network to see if your mobile phone will work in South Africa. If not, you can hire one at any of the major airports. Just remember that phoning home on a mobile is never cheap, so it’s probably better to phone from your hotel. The time difference is eight to 12 hours ahead of the U.S. and two hours ahead of the U.K. Keep that in mind if you still want your inheritance in place when you get home as your family get cranky when you phone them at 3 a.m.

What if you need some excitement thrown into the deal as well? Then try a South African painting safari! For example, one tour operator has structured painting vacations where you get to stay in game lodges and reserves. Between the painting sessions you go on game drives, visit ethnic villages, watch traditional dancers, shop at ethnic craft markets and maybe even get to see the Big 5 (elephant, lion, rhino, leopard and buffalo).

South Africa is known for its superb nature conservation areas, like Kruger National Park and the Pilanesburg Game Reserve near Sun City. If you want to experience and paint wild animals, this is the place to go. But because wild animals are just that – wild – you can’t expect to sit under a tree and paint the lions lying under the next tree. If you do, you become lion lunch. Rather expect to go on an open game truck with an experienced ranger, take photos, print them and then paint from them in the safety of your camp.

A last word of advice when “Painting South Africa:” You’ll be flying far to get there, so try to take additional tours to other parts of the country. South Africa, with 11 official languages, has a great diversity of cultures. It also has stunning landmarks, such as Table Mountain, and historical sites like Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. There are ostrich farms where you can even ride one of the great birds. Around early spring you can witness the Namaqualand Desert blossom with literally millions of flowers forming waves of brilliant color as far as the eye can see.

No matter where you choose to ‘”Paint South Africa,” you will be pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the country and the friendliness of its people.