THIS IS TAILORMADE GUIDES

THIS IS TAILORMADE GUIDES

THIS IS TAILORMADE GUIDES

THE MISSION

Our mission is to support “ independent “ guides as such as possible. By independent we mean those guides whom do not have permanent employment in one of the many wonderful touring companies in Cape Town. There are simply not enough positions for everyone to have a full time job. It is not the case that all the best guides work for touring companies. Many of the best and most experienced guides need to remain independent for their own reasons. 

 

For anyone who has managed a team of guides knows what I mean when I refer to “ bus driver “ syndrome. After days of back to back touring guides naturally tired and lose enthusiasm. This mechanism we use means we not only get you best available guide and the best rate but most importantly you get a guide who is enthusiastic and hungry for work, that’s the guide you want. 

 

In South Africa we still believe in DEI and very much so in Cape Town. We will also endeavour to make sure guides of all races, genders and abilities get a fair chance to guide guests. 

 

Our revenue mechanism is simple. We charge exactly the same commission to guides and operators alike. This keeps our interests and allegiances fair and balanced. We put all inquiries to tender to all the independent guides, open and equitable. This ensures market forces and willingness to work are in play. 

THE MISSION

Our mission is to support “ independent “ guides as such as possible. By independent we mean those guides whom do not have permanent employment in one of the many wonderful touring companies in Cape Town. There are simply not enough positions for everyone to have a full time job. It is not the case that all the best guides work for touring companies. Many of the best and most experienced guides need to remain independent for their own reasons. 

 

For anyone who has managed a team of guides knows what I mean when I refer to “ bus driver “ syndrome. After days of back to back touring guides naturally tired and lose enthusiasm. This mechanism we use means we not only get you best available guide and the best rate but most importantly you get a guide who is enthusiastic and hungry for work, that’s the guide you want. 

 

In South Africa we still believe in DEI and very much so in Cape Town. We will also endeavour to make sure guides of all races, genders and abilities get a fair chance to guide guests. 

 

Our revenue mechanism is simple. We charge exactly the same commission to guides and operators alike. This keeps our interests and allegiances fair and balanced. We put all inquiries to tender to all the independent guides, open and equitable. This ensures market forces and willingness to work are in play. 

THE MISSION

Our mission is to support “ independent “ guides as such as possible. By independent we mean those guides whom do not have permanent employment in one of the many wonderful touring companies in Cape Town. There are simply not enough positions for everyone to have a full time job. It is not the case that all the best guides work for touring companies. Many of the best and most experienced guides need to remain independent for their own reasons. 

 

For anyone who has managed a team of guides knows what I mean when I refer to “ bus driver “ syndrome. After days of back to back touring guides naturally tired and lose enthusiasm. This mechanism we use means we not only get you best available guide and the best rate but most importantly you get a guide who is enthusiastic and hungry for work, that’s the guide you want. 

 

In South Africa we still believe in DEI and very much so in Cape Town. We will also endeavour to make sure guides of all races, genders and abilities get a fair chance to guide guests. 

 

Our revenue mechanism is simple. We charge exactly the same commission to guides and operators alike. This keeps our interests and allegiances fair and balanced. We put all inquiries to tender to all the independent guides, open and equitable. This ensures market forces and willingness to work are in play. 

THE LONG VERSION

Born and raised in Zambia I began going on safari before I could walk! I was lucky enough to meet Norman Carr, Phil Berry, Robin Pope and most of the other founder guides of the Zambian Safari Industry. The seed was sown, and I wanted nothing more than to be a safari guide, volunteering during school holidays and whenever

I got the chance.


In 1995, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to start my own camp and I began guiding for my own company,Chongwe River Camp. I spent several off seasons as a ski guide in France and the USA and by 2010 I became the full-time manager, with oversight on all aspects my own safari tourism operation… but still guided

whenever I could. 


THE LONG VERSION

Born and raised in Zambia I began going on safari before I could walk! I was lucky enough to meet Norman Carr, Phil Berry, Robin Pope and most of the other founder guides of the Zambian Safari Industry. The seed was sown, and I wanted nothing more than to be a safari guide, volunteering during school holidays and whenever

I got the chance.


In 1995, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to start my own camp and I began guiding for my own company,Chongwe River Camp. I spent several off seasons as a ski guide in France and the USA and by 2010 I became the full-time manager, with oversight on all aspects my own safari tourism operation… but still guided

whenever I could. 


THE LONG VERSION

Born and raised in Zambia I began going on safari before I could walk! I was lucky enough to meet Norman Carr, Phil Berry, Robin Pope and most of the other founder guides of the Zambian Safari Industry. The seed was sown, and I wanted nothing more than to be a safari guide, volunteering during school holidays and whenever I got the chance.


In 1995, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to start my own camp and I began guiding for my own company, Chongwe River Camp. I spent several off seasons as a ski guide in France and the USA and by 2010 I became the full-time manager, with oversight on all aspects my own safari tourism operation… but still guided

whenever I could. 


I have trained and managed a large team of guides for 30 years. I am well versed in the requirements of international guests and something of an expert in matching these needs with the right guide. 


As travellers, we all take great care and time choosing accommodation, rooms and views, tours and menus, but often just accept the guide we are given. And yet a great guide can make the difference between a fantastic travel experience and a disastrous one. This most important relationship is oftentimes, given the least attention. 


I believe a great guide is a worthwhile investment anywhere I travel in the world. As a visitor to Cape Town, it is essential.


Topographically it’s a confusing town. The convoluted coastline and mountainous terrain surround the historic city centre like a broken pearl necklace of villages and towns, each a jewel. Moving between these involves a variety of routes and traffic issues which combined with the wind, sun and tide, can make it hard work to get touring right.


Like any city, there is crime, and our beautiful Cape Town is still emerging from a difficult history leaving parts of it edgy and unpredictable enough to be avoided. Unguided ignorance of this is what sometimes leads to the negative press that Cape Town is occasionally victim to. Petty crime is everywhere of course.


I have trained and managed a large team of guides for 30 years. I am well versed in the requirements of international guests and something of an expert in matching these needs with the right guide. 


As travellers, we all take great care and time choosing accommodation, rooms and views, tours and menus, but often just accept the guide we are given. And yet a great guide can make the difference between a fantastic travel experience and a disastrous one. This most important relationship is oftentimes, given the least attention. 


I believe a great guide is a worthwhile investment anywhere I travel in the world. As a visitor to Cape Town, it is essential.


Topographically it’s a confusing town. The convoluted coastline and mountainous terrain surround the historic city centre like a broken pearl necklace of villages and towns, each a jewel. Moving between these involves a variety of routes and traffic issues which combined with the wind, sun and tide, can make it hard work to get touring right.


Like any city, there is crime, and our beautiful Cape Town is still emerging from a difficult history leaving parts of it edgy and unpredictable enough to be avoided. Unguided ignorance of this is what sometimes leads to the negative press that Cape Town is occasionally victim to. Petty crime is everywhere of course.


I have trained and managed a large team of guides for 30 years. I am well versed in the requirements of international guests and something of an expert in matching these needs with the right guide. 


As travellers, we all take great care and time choosing accommodation, rooms and views, tours and menus, but often just accept the guide we are given. And yet a great guide can make the difference between a fantastic travel experience and a disastrous one. This most important relationship is oftentimes, given the least attention. 



I believe a great guide is a worthwhile investment anywhere I travel in the world. As a visitor to Cape Town, it is essential.


Topographically it’s a confusing town. The convoluted coastline and mountainous terrain surround the historic city centre like a broken pearl necklace of villages and towns, each a jewel. Moving between these involves a variety of routes and traffic issues which combined with the wind, sun and tide, can make it hard work to get touring right.


Like any city, there is crime, and our beautiful Cape Town is still emerging from a difficult history leaving parts of it edgy and unpredictable enough to be avoided. Unguided ignorance of this is what sometimes leads to the negative press that Cape Town is occasionally victim to. Petty crime is everywhere of course.


I want to promote a high standard of guiding in Cape Town as the best way to increase employment and revenues for our city without raising prices and to guarantee safer and happier guests.


Don’t worry, relax and let your guide take care of what to do when something typically Cape Town occurs; an elephant seal in the high street, a baboon raid on the corner shop, 35,000 cyclists you didn’t know were racing that day or sudden protest action on the highway. I hope one day to see all our visitors using the services of a guide and that is also my mission.

I want to promote a high standard of guiding in Cape Town as the best way to increase employment and revenues for our city without raising prices and to guarantee safer and happier guests.


Don’t worry, relax and let your guide take care of what to do when something typically Cape Town occurs; an elephant seal in the high street, a baboon raid on the corner shop, 35,000 cyclists you didn’t know were racing that day or sudden protest action on the highway. I hope one day to see all our visitors using the services of a guide and that is also my mission.

I want to promote a high standard of guiding in Cape Town as the best way to increase employment and revenues for our city without raising prices and to guarantee safer and happier guests.


Don’t worry, relax and let your guide take care of what to do when something typically Cape Town occurs; an elephant seal in the high street, a baboon raid on the corner shop, 35,000 cyclists you didn’t know were racing that day or sudden protest action on the highway. I hope one day to see all our visitors using the services of a guide and that is also my mission.

Get the right information on our incredible history, culture and architecture. Have someone take care of you and advise when the coastal weather changes suddenly, and goes from puffer jackets to bikinis in the space of a few hours. We have 500 years of recorded western history in Cape Town and millennia before that. Our Cape Floral Kingdom is made up of thousands of species, all different like our people, varied architecture, traditions, faiths and food. The Winelands are a world on their own and we haven’t mentioned what the ocean here has to offer. There is simply too much to see without a guide.


There are wonderful old and young guides in South Africa with high qualifications, full of enthusiasm and with starting rates lower than you expect. Yes, certain experienced experts command strong fees, they are few though. I also want guides to get a fair rate, know what is expected of them, be informed of family dynamics and any issues or special hopes and dreams for each individual couple, family or group. Our guests must get to experience Cape Town in way that is convenient, inspiring and safe; with a Capetonian who can give them the correct history, current lowdown and daily smiles. Ensuring your visit to The Mother City, is like the city itself, one of a kind. 


As a loving resident I also want to protect Cape Town from the problems of heavy tourism. Many visitors are unaware just how diverse and tolerant we are, or how fragile our nature is. Getting a guide would be so much appreciated by all the people that live and work in our City of around 6-million people. It helps us stay so famously friendly while we continue to grow our arrivals.


I have schooled and lived in Cape Town throughout my life and shown lots of friends and family around. However, I don’t yet regard myself as experienced enough to be an expert guide, although I am qualified, after completing an excellent course here earlier this year. I am currently studying for my Mountain Guides Course, nature guiding being my strength. I know well what the guests and operators expect and I know what a good “guide fit” looks like. I am a member of the Cape Town Guides Association, other groups and growing network. 


Guests will have many preferences in a guide and should have the opportunity to make these known, far beyond simply the preferred languages spoken. Make them known to me without reservation, and I will find you the best available guide in your price range. I will tailor-make the recommendations for a guide to your special interests and preferences. No apps, no AI or automated responses. The best results need a little time and TLC and I have to admit that I am Old School in this regard. I don’t push guides for better rates, I push for better performance and help attain it.


When things go wrong, which they can, I am here, based in Cape Town where I can visit any guest with an issue, replace or speak to guides in real time and make sure the experience is back on track in a flash. 


I am also happy to do site inspections on your behalf and many other tourism related needs you may have that need discretion.


Get the right information on our incredible history, culture and architecture. Have someone take care of you and advise when the coastal weather changes suddenly, and goes from puffer jackets to bikinis in the space of a few hours. We have 500 years of recorded western history in Cape Town and millennia before that. Our Cape Floral Kingdom is made up of thousands of species, all different like our people, varied architecture, traditions, faiths and food. The Winelands are a world on their own and we haven’t mentioned what the ocean here has to offer. There is simply too much to see without a guide.


There are wonderful old and young guides in South Africa with high qualifications, full of enthusiasm and with starting rates lower than you expect. Yes, certain experienced experts command strong fees, they are few though. I also want guides to get a fair rate, know what is expected of them, be informed of family dynamics and any issues or special hopes and dreams for each individual couple, family or group. Our guests must get to experience Cape Town in way that is convenient, inspiring and safe; with a Capetonian who can give them the correct history, current lowdown and daily smiles. Ensuring your visit to The Mother City, is like the city itself, one of a kind. 


As a loving resident I also want to protect Cape Town from the problems of heavy tourism. Many visitors are unaware just how diverse and tolerant we are, or how fragile our nature is. Getting a guide would be so much appreciated by all the people that live and work in our City of around 6-million people. It helps us stay so famously friendly while we continue to grow our arrivals.


I have schooled and lived in Cape Town throughout my life and shown lots of friends and family around. However, I don’t yet regard myself as experienced enough to be an expert guide, although I am qualified, after completing an excellent course here earlier this year. I am currently studying for my Mountain Guides Course, nature guiding being my strength. I know well what the guests and operators expect and I know what a good “guide fit” looks like. I am a member of the Cape Town Guides Association, other groups and growing network. 


Guests will have many preferences in a guide and should have the opportunity to make these known, far beyond simply the preferred languages spoken. Make them known to me without reservation, and I will find you the best available guide in your price range. I will tailor-make the recommendations for a guide to your special interests and preferences. No apps, no AI or automated responses. The best results need a little time and TLC and I have to admit that I am Old School in this regard. I don’t push guides for better rates, I push for better performance and help attain it.


When things go wrong, which they can, I am here, based in Cape Town where I can visit any guest with an issue, replace or speak to guides in real time and make sure the experience is back on track in a flash. 


I am also happy to do site inspections on your behalf and many other tourism related needs you may have that need discretion.


Get the right information on our incredible history, culture and architecture. Have someone take care of you and advise when the coastal weather changes suddenly, and goes from puffer jackets to bikinis in the space of a few hours. We have 500 years of recorded western history in Cape Town and millennia before that. Our Cape Floral Kingdom is made up of thousands of species, all different like our people, varied architecture, traditions, faiths and food. The Winelands are a world on their own and we haven’t mentioned what the ocean here has to offer. There is simply too much to see without a guide.


There are wonderful old and young guides in South Africa with high qualifications, full of enthusiasm and with starting rates lower than you expect. Yes, certain experienced experts command strong fees, they are few though. I also want guides to get a fair rate, know what is expected of them, be informed of family dynamics and any issues or special hopes and dreams for each individual couple, family or group. Our guests must get to experience Cape Town in way that is convenient, inspiring and safe; with a Capetonian who can give them the correct history, current lowdown and daily smiles. Ensuring your visit to The Mother City, is like the city itself, one of a kind. 


As a loving resident I also want to protect Cape Town from the problems of heavy tourism. Many visitors are unaware just how diverse and tolerant we are, or how fragile our nature is. Getting a guide would be so much appreciated by all the people that live and work in our City of around 6-million people. It helps us stay so famously friendly while we continue to grow our arrivals.


I have schooled and lived in Cape Town throughout my life and shown lots of friends and family around. However, I don’t yet regard myself as experienced enough to be an expert guide, although I am qualified, after completing an excellent course here earlier this year. I am currently studying for my Mountain Guides Course, nature guiding being my strength. I know well what the guests and operators expect and I know what a good “guide fit” looks like. I am a member of the Cape Town Guides Association, other groups and growing network. 


Guests will have many preferences in a guide and should have the opportunity to make these known, far beyond simply the preferred languages spoken. Make them known to me without reservation, and I will find you the best available guide in your price range. I will tailor-make the recommendations for a guide to your special interests and preferences. No apps, no AI or automated responses. The best results need a little time and TLC and I have to admit that I am Old School in this regard. I don’t push guides for better rates, I push for better performance and help attain it.


When things go wrong, which they can, I am here, based in Cape Town where I can visit any guest with an issue, replace or speak to guides in real time and make sure the experience is back on track in a flash. 


I am also happy to do site inspections on your behalf and many other tourism related needs you may have that need discretion.



TESTIMONIALS

"I have known Chris since he was a young man starting off in life. I know him as a friend, a successful safari camp owner and as an excellent guide. Chris's deep connection with nature gives him the passion that you want from a guide. He also has a strong character and he brings energy and fun to any situation."


Robin Pope

Robin Pope Safaris


"I’ve known and respected Chris for 30 years, in that time as a passionate naturalist and experienced guide he has proved himself an industry leader."


Nick Aslin

Zambian Groundhandlers


"I have known Chris most of my adult life, both as a competitor in business and as a friend. He is one of the most intelligent, visionary and articulate safari operators that I have come across and he has been a strong ally in matters of conservation. Chris is highly principled and puts conservation first, ahead of his own

commercial interests."


Grant Cumings

Chiawa Safaris



"I have known Chris since he was a young man starting off in life. I know him as a friend, a successful safari camp owner and as an excellent guide. Chris's deep connection with nature gives him the passion that you want from a guide. He also has a strong character and he brings energy and fun to any situation."


Robin Pope

Robin Pope Safaris


"I’ve known and respected Chris for 30 years, in that time as a passionate naturalist and experienced guide he has proved himself an industry leader."


Nick Aslin

Zambian Groundhandlers


"I have known Chris most of my adult life, both as a competitor in business and as a friend. He is one of the most intelligent, visionary and articulate safari operators that I have come across and he has been a strong ally in matters of conservation. Chris is highly principled and puts conservation first, ahead of his own

commercial interests."


Grant Cumings

Chiawa Safaris



"I have known Chris since he was a young man starting off in life. I know him as a friend, a successful safari camp owner and as an excellent guide. Chris's deep connection with nature gives him the passion that you want from a guide. He also has a strong character and he brings energy and fun to any situation."


Robin Pope

Robin Pope Safaris


"I’ve known and respected Chris for 30 years, in that time as a passionate naturalist and experienced guide he has proved himself an industry leader."


Nick Aslin

Zambian Groundhandlers


"I have known Chris most of my adult life, both as a competitor in business and as a friend. He is one of the most intelligent, visionary and articulate safari operators that I have come across and he has been a strong ally in matters of conservation. Chris is highly principled and puts conservation first, ahead of his own

commercial interests."


Grant Cumings

Chiawa Safaris