Private tour in Pretoria Lesley O
5.0
(1) review
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Lesley O.
4.9
Guide rating
297
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I love my country passionately and have always had a deep-seated interest in all it holds, especially its history and wildlife. South Africa is blessed with the most incredible variety and richness of landscape, flora, fauna and people. There is nothing I enjoy more than showing this bounty to visitors and giving my guests an insight into my world. I enjoy one-on-one communication, discussing points of interest raised by the guests. I always customize the itinerary to suit special interests, and am quite happy to change things to suit during the tour, provided no pre-bookings have been made. My special interest is wildlife, and therefore I have trained as a field guide as well as a tour guide. This allows me to add depth to any tour, but especially the Nature tours. I strive to deliver a quality, personal touring experience. No matter whether historical, cultural or natural, the journey is both unique and unforgettable. I have lived in South Africa most of my life, and have been resident in the Gauteng area for 50 years. I have a passion for history and the natural world and enjoy sharing my knowledge with others. I have a personal interest in ornithology (that's birds!) and trips to suit those with a special interest in birds and birding can be arranged with the greatest of pleasure. I believe that every place has a story. As a guide, I strive to tell such stories in an interesting and informative way. Visiting the setting around which the story evolved brings a feeling of reality to the events. Whether visiting a museum or exploring a game reserve, on a day trip or on a long journey to the lesser-known parts of the country, I plan my routes through interesting areas imparting as much local knowledge as possible along the way. Many visitors want to see where and how local people live, so I take the back routes rather than flying past on the highways. Wherever possible, I vary my return route so as to enjoy as much of this beautiful country as possible. I do not have set itineraries. I tailor each tour to suit the client - from the food to the route, the places and the people. The museum may be the same, but the route we take and what we see along the way will be planned according to the client's interests ensuring a unique, personal experience. Registered South African Tourist Guide for Gauteng, North-West and Mpumalanga provinces. Field Guide registered with Field Guide Association of South Africa. Field Guides are essentially Game Rangers, proficient to take tourists through Nature and Game Reserves.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Lesley O.
The early sun bathes a landscape of rocky hills shaped by violent volcanic activity and erosion in hues of orange and gold. We travel through the park on the winding roads and watch as great grey ghosts emerge suddenly from the untamed bush, towering above all around them and solid, tank-like rhino graze. Beautiful song is followed by a flash of colour as one of the many birds dart away. Slender, elegant impala graze then leap away on spindly legs, seeming to fly. A giraffe's long neck, swaying above the trees, towers above zebra grazing nearby, mixed with the odd shapes of wildebeest. We sit in a hide next to a dam and the tranquil quiet is broken by the abrupt, loud snorting of a hippo as it erupts from the water, then submerges leaving only ripples. A crocodile glides by as the setting sun tints the landscape gold at the end of the day. We experience the sights, sounds and smells of the African landscape and picnic under the trees to round off the experience. Meets Animal Welfare policy.
We leave Pretoria and drive to Pilanesberg Game Reserve. There is a short stop at the gate for tea/coffee and rusks/muffins before starting the drive. This is a large game reserve, only half of which has road access. Where we go and what we see depends on conditions, known sightings and how we feel on the day. The animals are wild and live naturally to the extent that a fenced reserve will allow. This is their environment, and we are the interlopers. Therefore, care must be taken not to impose on the wildlife, especially the larger animals that can be dangerous. When ready, brunch is eaten under the trees at a picnic site. The stop is very pleasant and can be as long as desired. Stops at other picnic sites and hides will allow for bathroom breaks and any other refreshment wanted during the day. Depending on the weather and the guest requirements, we can stay until the reserve closes. We then drive back. This tour meets the Animal Welfare Policy requirements.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
I use an 8-seater Volkswagen Microbus. This vehicle is high off the ground offering good game viewing. It is air-conditioned. My preferred maximum group size is 5 excluding middle seats, but I can take 7.
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
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