Who Are We and What Do We Do?

Cape Hike and Climb was born in 2015 when I decided that yes, I really wanted to do this hiking guide thing as my job. I’d completed the certifications in 2013 and had done a few freelance guided trips since then. I was working in the adventure industry as a facilitator at school camps and knew that being outside sharing my passion for nature was what I wanted to do. It took a few years to build up the experience and connections to gain the confidence to guide guests safely and knowledgeably. And then COVID.

Now that the world is starting to return to “normal”, whatever that might mean, travel is resuming. And people are trying to make up for lost time. And folks are wanting to explore as much as possible outside after being locked indoors. And this is where Cape Hike and Climb comes in.

 

HIKING GUIDE:

Hiking is the first passion and was the first introduction to the mountains. Exploring on foot, getting away from the city and crowds, unplugging and being surrounded by the sights, sounds and smells of nature is my happy place. Learning about the craziness of nature and its bizarre survival strategies fascinate me. And I love sharing this with everyone and anyone who is willing to listen.

My learning started with a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and Ecology, but academia was not for me. Seeing it in action in the real world instead of the lab was what I enjoyed most. After a few years of hiking for fun and immersing myself in nature, I discovered that this could be a full time thing. I did the courses required to become a qualified mountain walking guide. The scientific background, together with the skills to thrive outdoors, has allowed me to truly appreciate nature in all her forms, colours and seasons.

 

THE WILD COAST – MY FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD:

Growing up my family made annual trips to our fishing shack on the Wild Coast of South Africa. It was here that my passion for the environment was sparked and cultivated – fishing, snorkelling, paddling and hiking. We had relationships with local families, learning about their culture and their language, AmaPondo. The landscape was wild, rugged and untouched.

Today that is rapidly changing, as mining in particular, threatens the pristine coastline. Development is also starting to arrive, with the possibility of large hotels looming on the horizon. Despite this, the character of the area, the warmth of the people and, so far, the beauty of the land remains. Eco-tourism is the best way to develop the area that will work with the locals and preserve their way of life, rather than destroy it. Cape Hike and Climb offers the opportunity to experience this magical place in the village of Msikaba. We stay in a family cottage, using local guides to show you around their land and teach you about their lives. Empty beaches, peaceful rivers, world class birding
and the friendliest people all make this a once-in-a-lifetime “stay-cation” in one of the last few wild areas of South Africa.

 

WHY HIRE A HIKING GUIDE:

This is a question often posed, especially with regards to hiking on Table Mountain. Access to the mountain is free and there are apps that can show you where to go. While all this is true, guides are more than just walking maps.
Not only will you be led safely along the trails, but you’ll also learn about the history and geology of the mountain, the city of Cape Town, and myths, stories and legends of the mountain. The flora on Table Mountain, indeed the whole Western Cape, is found nowhere else in the world. Having a guide tell you about it is far more interesting than reading about it on Google later.
Hiking guides also don’t run out of battery or signal and know the trails even in low visibility conditions. They also know when to make safety calls and can offer alternatives that are better suited to the weather conditions on the day. Having a guide makes the whole hiking experience that much better.

The goal of Cape Hike and Climb is to offer top service in the world class destinations of Cape Town and the Wild Coast. My aim is to enrich your travels with local knowledge and a unique experience. And hopefully you’ll learn something about this beautiful country that you didn’t know before. And also learn to love this country as much as I do.

Happy Trails…