Tour Guide
I was born in Durban but lived most of my life in Johannesburg, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and nowin Cape Town.
I completed my degree at Durban University and my Honours through UNISA along with completing my diploma in wine through the Cape Wine Academy and also lectured for them
for 5 years in Zimbabwe and Stellenbosch. I spent many years lecturing, managing a bottle store, gaining a reflexology diploma and traveling, before deciding to become a specialist tour guide.
I love traveling and I traveled extensively throughout the world and on the African continent.
My three passions are wine, sport (squash and golf) and of course, the African bush!
Having just visited several wine estates in New Zealand, makes me realize again how much we have to offer tourists who are even mildly interested in wine. Who else in the new world offers the variety and quality of wines that we do both red and white at such reasonable prices amongst the glorious beauty of the Cape? I believe we in South Africa are more than holding our own in the international world of wine.
Ah, now for the bush! What country has the diversity of bush that we do – from the fynbos in the Cape, to the Bushveld in the North and tropical coasts on the East? With over 900 birds, the abundant game, reptiles and insects we have in our many reserves, I feel delighted to show tourists our beautiful country. I have done several tree courses and seen over 550 birds throughout Southern Africa. I am a member of the South African Botanical Society and am enjoying getting to grips with the intricacies of the Cape Fynbos. I frequently visit that jewel in our crown, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
I have white water rafted the Orange and Zambezi. Canoed the Zambezi from Mana Pools to Kenyemba, hiked the Fish river canyon, climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, visited many of the national parks in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. I am currently registering for Field Guides Association of Southern Africa.
As for sport, I play both squash and golf – being a member at Kelvin Grove and Royal Cape – so would be able to arrange and if required, play with any golfers who require a game.
I am happily married to husband Rob who commenced birding when still a child, and, with whom I share all those passions, although we may not agree on all issues! (Chardonnay versus Sauvignon Blanc, which tree is this or what bird is that!). I have two married daughters, Ashleigh in Johannesburg and Dianne in London.
I am told that my strongest characteristic is my enthusiasm – I dearly love sharing my knowledge and learning more. I socialize easily as I love people.
Vineyard Ventures creates private, personalised, all-inclusive tours of Cape Town and the Western Cape. We are wine specialists, and with almost 40 years experience our contacts in the industry can’t be matched.
P.O. Box 554,
Sea Point, 8060
Phone: +27 [0]21 434 8888
Mobile: +27 [0]82 920 2825
E-mail: vinven@iafrica.com
We are open:
Mon-Fri: 10.00am- 8.00pm
(South African Time)