“The Fynbos Guy” does as many as 140 hikes a year and has climbed Table Mountain countless times. We chatted to him about diamond eyes and nipping blisters in the bud.
Where does your love of the outdoors come from?
I grew up in London. It might not be the best place for nature, but I lived close to the Thames and I spent all my spare time exploring the riverbanks and local parks and commons.
I have always been obsessed with the natural world: I was a dinosaur freak, a birdwatcher, a fynbos fanatic and now I feel the current of marine biology pulling me towards the beach. Did you know that 5 % of the whole world’s coastal species is found offthe Cape Peninsula?
I’m one of those people whose childhood love of animals and plants has never faded. Dinosaurs forever!
How did you end up in South Africa?
We visited South Africa on a family holiday when I was about 10 years old. We went on safari in KZN and I was stupefied by the wildlife, especially the wildebeest and zebra wandering through camp. As a kid in 1970s London, I was excited just to see a hedgehog!
I vowed to return to Africa and become a game ranger, which I did in 1991, talking my way into a job with a safari company. I ended up running mobile safaris in Botswana and Zimbabwe. Who says dreams never come true?
I moved to Cape Town 20 years ago, which ignited a new passion for the mountains and the plants they’re covered in.
Why the name Fynbos Guy?
Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2018-utgaven av go! - South Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Rolling out the big guns
If you're still scanning the horizon for a Chinese automotive invasion you're looking the wrong way. It's already happening, and the new GWM Tank is the off-road spearhead into the highly lucrative and hotly contested lifestyle market.
TAKE A HIKE
The beautiful agony of Tienuurkop
Time out in Dullies
A long weekend in Dullstroom is just long enough to make you realise you need to spend several more weekends here! There's food, drink, art and action in abundance. Here's your guide.
Gallivanting in the Galápagos!
The Galápagos Islands are on many a traveller's wish list. They were on Hanlie and Vivian Gericke's too, even though the price of visiting made their eyes water. Was it worth it? Read on...
BURCHELL AND THE COUNTRY OF THE BUSHMEN
How many times have you driven through a landscape and wished you could have seen it centuries ago? In 1811, the English artist and explorer, William John Burchell, travelled through South Africa. Join us as we follow in his footsteps.
Long live the Hibiscus Coast
The KZN South Coast is a national treasure. It's still the place to go if you want a classic seaside holiday complete with warm waves, cold beer, soft serve and good vibes. Here's your guide.
The island at the end of the earth
Imagine adlace-with the cleanest air arid:the clearest seawater, where_no human.oranimabwants to:harm you: A placewhere the climates balmy. year-round:-with a sekrhistory ahd wwild scenery. A place like this:exist8” and it’s called St Helena.
A day on the road
You never know what the road will bring. Toast Coetzer heads south on the N1 and discovers South Africa.
The wilder shore
The final leg of a 30-day trek across East Africa sees lan Tyrer and the Africa - Wild & Untamed crew explore both shores of Lake Malawi. Get ready for an overloaded ferry, a croc attack and being surrounded by elephants...
A river runs through it
Sabie is onthe Drakensberg escaromentialongMpumalanga’s famous Panorama Route. Want a weekend away surrounded by forests and waterfalls? Here's wnat you need to know.
