Our adventure
Hidden Gems: Discover Off the Beaten Track Nature Reserves in the Western Cape
Hidden amongst the mountains and rare flowers of the Fynbos biome— found only in the Cape — there are a number of unique reserves offered by CapeNature. These are places where you can hit the reset button, relax in comfort and reconnect with the wild.
Learn more
Underground Explorer
Bones is intimidatingly cool. She’s wanted to be an archaeologist from before she could pronounce the word, and has navigated her way through some tricky spots to get to where she is today. In life as well as physically: she was part of the Underground Astronauts in the Rising Star Project – the famous group of ladies who dug up the bones of Homo Naledi. The hole in the ground she had to fit through was 18cm wide.
Learn more
The man who speaks to birds
Themba Mtembu knows everyone. And everyone likes Themba. But when you meet him the reason is obvious – it’s because Themba has a true and genuine compassion. He cares about the communities in need, he cares about the populations of wildlife, he cares about the relationship between tourism and conservation, but above all, Themba genuinely loves birds.
Learn more
The diplomat of the Drakensberg
One of the hardest parts of the conservation game is where nature and humanity collide. Joyce manages these buffer zones not just between the communities and our incredible sites, but between countries as well.
Learn more
Speaking for the ancestors
Johannes Masalesa is an exceptionally passionate field ranger in the Mapungubwe National Park. Here in the most northern part of South Africa, where our borders meet with Zimbabwe and Botswana, lies one of Africa’s marvels. Johannes is from the area. He is a direct descendant of the ancient Kingdom of Mapungubwe, and tells the (not quite) lost stories and history as told to him by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. Without him our knowledge of this place would be so much poorer, and a lot more academically boring.
Learn more
Oom Jan Fourie: The man with all the keys
Oom Jan didn’t intend to become a Heritage Hero. His plan was to move to Parys and enjoy retirement after working in education most of his life. Little did he know that one of his greatest legacies would only start after retirement.
Learn more
Guide to the ancient ways
The word Kalahari means ‘the great thirst’. Kgalagadi, as it is commonly known these days, means ‘a waterless place’. Not everyone can survive here. This is a place for people who can handle the unforgiving heat, the barrenness, and the extremes. And yet, the ǂKhomani San Bushmen have lived here for thousands of years. They are an ancient tribe of trackers, tracers, hunters and gatherers – arguably the oldest race of humans still around.
Learn more
Genesis of Life
Here among the ancient rocks where we can read the tale of how the earth itself began, Nico Oosthuizen and Mark Ngwenyama have been the driving force behind the application to have the Makhonjwa Mouintains declared a World Heritage site.
Learn more
#FynbosBae
Amelia’s first time in a conservation area was when she was 18 weeks old. That’s only start-rolling-over-age, but Rupert feels that the younger you get them out there, the better. These days the Cederberg is her favourite place to hang out. Having a dad who knows the names of all the plants obviously helps.
Learn more
Tokyo is kwaai KAWAII!
Spoiler Alert: this article contains information regarding the awesomeness that is Tokyo. When considering a visit to Tokyo, I strongly recommend that you make sure you have a child/dog/delicious monster et al waiting for you back home, since the temptation not to return may get the better of you.
Learn more
Safety Gear on the Trail
Preparation for any multi-day trail is very different from just a simple day walk. There needs to be a lot more thought and calculation about the amount of gear that is required to keep you as safe as possible over a longer period of time. It's best to have a checklist of items you will need to take with you so that you don't forget something vital for your safety when you in the middle of the mountains with help a long way away.
Learn more
Be The Difference
In 2021, Hi-Tec has proudly partnered with an extraordinary organisation, the Be The Difference Foundation (BTDF). The BTDF is a non-profit aimed to empower the lives of South African children through education, nutrition and sport.
Learn more