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As good story tellers, the accredited Professional Tourist Guides we use make any historical situation or site come to life; and this is what makes us to stand out as a knowledgeable and reputable Tour Company. Tourist guides in South Africa are some of the most important people in the travel trade. They interact on a personal level daily with tourists, and a good tourist guide can make a holiday visit really memorable.
Our knowledgeable Guides:
Simon Taylor
“I am a National Culture and Nature Guide, registered and accredited with FET Certificate Tourist Guiding and specializing in the Bushveld Biome. I also offer hiking tours enabling you, the guest, to experience South Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho at much closer quarters. I am also a qualified Nature Conservationist, conservation and responsible tourism being the foundation of my service. Judged to the reviews from many Tourists so far, the result of my guiding gives all of them memorable experiences.”
Nick Snyman
Nick completed his FET Certificate Tourist Guiding (culture) course and in addition to conducting multi-day tours he specialises in small tour groups and historical sites such as the Voortrekker Monument.
He retired from the SA National Defence Force after having served in the Navy for 42 years. During that time he was a captain of a warship, served as a Military Attaché in Kenya and filled numerous other posts. He qualified as a guide through Drumbeat Academy in February 2016 and is now a freelance tourist guide, having done tours for a number of tour companies. He is also a keen and active sportsperson who enjoys working with people.
Sonet Breier
“I started my guiding career in 2014, where I assisted with a Swedish group. I did my course and qualified as a Provincial Culture Guide in 2017.
I have found my true passion and have since travelled South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. A big advantage for me is that I speak the German language (lived in Germany for 22 years), so I mainly Guide German speaking Tourists.”
Jakes Conradie
Jakes is registered and accredited with FET Certificate Tourist Guiding. He is competent to advise clients on all essential aspects of travel in South Africa having passed the SA Specialist course from South African Tourism. As a good story teller, he makes any historical situation or site come to life; and this is what makes him to stand out as a knowledgeable and exciting guide.
“I’m always attempting to assist and improve the environment, motivating communities to protect nature in order to create a sustainable eco-system, and to protect all species for future generations. My love for nature and history brought me to the most beautiful and spectacular places in South Africa, and that is where I want to take my tourists as well.”
Graham Haywood
“Guiding for 21 years, I am qualified to Guide in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa. I decided to enter this Industry as I adore both these Provinces. The Western Cape is the most beautiful Part of the World and I grown to love it more each day seeing the fantastic scenery of mountains sea and the amazing Fauna and Flora this region has to offer and boasts about. My Tours specialize on The Military History of the Cape from the beginning of recorded History by the Portugese, Dutch, French and British including fortifications and buildings. I will always go that extra mile, which I believe Client expect and deserve.”
Guides used by Amatungulu Tours are all accredited by CATHSSETA (https://cathsseta.org.za/) and trained according to the nationally recognized standards and qualifications network. The guiding qualifications are made up of a collection of unit standards or building blocks. Each unit standard represents knowledge that a person must have, specific to his profession. These unit standards were devised in close consultation with tourist guides and other stakeholders. Each guide will be assessed against these standards.
In order to be registered as a tourist guide in South Africa, a person must meet the following minimum requirements: (abridged list)
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must be at least 21 years of age;
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must be a South African citizen or be in possession of a valid work permit;
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must have undergone training with a CATHSSETA-accredited training provider;
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must be in possession of a valid first aid certificate from an institution accepted by the Department of Labour;
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must submit a completed and signed registration form and a code of conduct and ethics upon registration.
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A Professional Tourist Guide must conform to the Tourist Guide Code of Ethics. The code states that a guide:
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-Shall be welcoming and demonstrate an enthusiasm for South Africa.
-Shall at all times show a willingness to provide optimum support and quality service to all tourists, and will give tourists an opportunity to enjoy or visit the desired destination.
-Shall in no way discriminate in rendering service to any tourist on any basis, e.g. race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, physical challenge, age, etc.
-Shall be impartial, unbiased and positive, and represent South Africa objectively.
-Shall be suitably dressed and presentable at all times.
-Shall be punctual, reliable, honest, conscientious and tactful at all times.
-Shall be a responsible driver, when driving as a guide.
-Shall carry out the programme/itinerary of a tour to his/her best abilities
and be loyal to the company/organization that he/she is representing.
-Shall deal with conflict in a sensitive and responsible manner.
-Shall report any incident of injury or death to a nearby tourist
authority or police station.
-Shall be knowledgeable and shall assist tourists and not provide
them with misleading information.
-Shall in the event of not being familiar with, or being unable to
provide information requested by a tourist, consult with the
appropriate authorities for assistance.
-Shall at no time be under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic
substance while on duty and shall refrain from administering any
medication to a client without proper medical consultation.
-Shall never solicit for clients or gratuities.
-Shall be concerned at all times for the safety of the tourist.
-Shall wear the appropriate tourist guide badge and will carry
his/her registration card.
-Shall treat all people, cultures and the environment with respect.
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Please be aware of unregistered/unqualified guides,
they can be detrimental to tourism in South Africa,
as this pledge from SA Tourism. Make sure we have
these badges, or registration cards:
