Rediscover your curiosity and wonder for our world
Join a qualified and highly experienced geology and nature guide on a transformative walk through nature, discovering more about rocks, landscapes, insects, plants and wildlife.
Experience the world of geology and nature guiding
Blending science, story-telling and infectious curiosity. John shares the great narratives of Earth’s formation and the remarkable life stories of the many plants, animals and insects that we share it with.
Specialising in geology walks and safaris and guided nature walks in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, John helps curious people discover more.
Quench your thirst for knowledge and renew your love for nature while escaping the day-to-day grind, taking some much-needed rest and recharging yourself in the wilderness.
With decades of experience, a passion for wilderness, research and ecology, and an irrepressible urge to keep learning and sharing, John will help awaken a new sense of wonder for the beautiful places around you.
I grew up in the bush, was schooled in wild places, and developed a true love for nature and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. I never stop exploring, discovering and learning, and this passion has led me to want to share my wonder with the world.
Beyond the simple beauty and delight of nature guiding, my curiosity and need to explore has drawn me to love the rocks and landscapes that surround us. The history and stories these tell of how our earth has been shaped over millennia are what I love to tell, enlightening guests and guides alike to the powerful stories beneath our feet.
I hold a National Certificate in Tourism: Guiding and a Certificate in Environmental Interpretation and Education from Rhodes University. I am a registered nature guide with the National Department of Tourism and am an affiliate member of The Geological Society of South Africa.
I’ve had the privilege of introducing thousands to the magic of Southern Africa’s landscapes, and look forward to sharing this magic with you.
John
What We Offer
Geology Walks
& Safaris
Geological learning journeys to discover and understand South Africa’s beautiful rocks and powerful landscapes, and how they are deeply connected with people and wildlife. Half-day, full-day and multi-day options available.
Guided Nature Walks
Nature adventures for families, individuals, and groups of any age, revealing the wonders and details of the natural world. A wide range of topics available; can combine well with geology. Half-day, full-day and multi-day options available.
Guided Night Walks
A guided walk in a natural area at night. We choose places with high biodiversity, and reveal the many wonders of nocturnal nature. Evenings, and can be included on longer trips.
Private Guiding
Personal naturalist accompaniment on your own tour or safari, making the geology and nature of any Southern African destination accessible, understandable, and fascinating.
Nature Therapy Walks
Nature-based retreats to help you find strength, direction and clarity on life’s journey. Can include times of reflection, solitude, direct nature connection and mentorship if needed.
Half-day, full-day and multi-day options available.
What is a Geology Safari?
Combining our many passions, Geology Safaris have emerged as a fun and accessible way of sharing beautiful rocks, landscapes and wildlife with anyone who wants to discover more about the earth.
Geology Safaris offer you the opportunity to delve into the geological wonders of South Africa’s diverse landscapes. They range from 2-hour strolls to 8-day journeys, and can be run wherever there are rocks – at a home, lodge or nature reserve, or in one of our three spectacular geological destinations in South Africa.
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We offer Geology Safaris in three iconic South African destinations, each offering a unique perspective on the Earth’s history and geological processes, as well as having their own beauty, rocks and wildlife.
The Drakensberg mountains, midlands and coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
This area hosts a rich remarkable record of ancient seas, grinding glaciers, early reptiles, rifting continents and volcanic outpourings. All these can be seen in an area which includes South Africa’s highest peaks, the fascinating granite landscapes of the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and exceptional rock outcrops next to the warm Indian ocean at the coast.
Babanango Game Reserve and the Zululand region.
Here we find a unique record of early life and continent formation on the early crust, when the earth was much younger. We stay in a remarkable big 5 game reserve with spectacular views and accommodation options to suit a range of budgets. Some of the treasures found here include ancient volcanic deposits, huge granite outcrops, beautiful banded ironstones and many places where rock formation processes are clearly visible. From Babanango Game Reserve many other venues in the Zululand region can be explored.
Kruger National Park Region, including the Panorama route, Phalaborwa mine and the Barberton/Makhonjwa mountains.
Aside from its world-renowned wildlife, Kruger National Park has a rich and varied geology, which in turn supports very different plant and animal communities. We explore these in detail, while enjoying great wildlife sightings and staying in one of the world’s great wilderness areas.
Besides its magnificence and beauty, the Panorama route is a showcase of great geology, easy to see and learn about. Including high sandstone cliffs, deep caves, limestone waterfalls, and a long record of some of earth’s earliest life, these mountains hold many stories.
Phalaborwa, next to the park, has an active mine with unique and beautiful rocks that can be visited and viewed.
Within easy driving reach are the Barberton Greenstone Belt and the Makhonjwa mountains – one of South Africa’s world heritage sites. They hold the most complete record of earth’s earliest formation processes, and South Africa’s oldest rocks are found in this area.
John is an affiliate member of The Geological Society of South Africa
Current and Past Partners
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What my guests say…
Thanks to you, I have rekindled my enthusiasm for rocks.
Audrey Emmett
Great knowledge and a fabulous guide. Loved the morning.
Gail Bradfield
It was an amazing and unique experience. Ntobeko has never taken such interest in flowers before, so your appeal extends beyond those already into natural phenomena. It was really a great experience.
Miquela Jerman
John was able to seamlessly switch from talking about the unique geological features of the park, to identifying the bird that landed nearby and discussing the plant on which it landed. This knowledge provided us a much more comprehensive understanding of the Kruger ecosystem than a typical safari. In addition to his considerable breadth of knowledge, we found John to be very personable, easy going, and focused on keeping his clients safe while guiding in the bush. When we plan our next visit to Kruger, we will definitely book with John again!”
Jason & Jenn Addison, California.
You turn geology into poetry.
Dr. Andrew Baxter
John tells you about the places rocks have come from, and what made them what they are.
Lynn Hurry
I have known John for long enough to recognise his passion for geology as the foundation on which all of the biosphere is built…he brings an unusual curiosity to his time in the field, and adds an insistence on finding answers to the questions…
Nick Norman
I am amazed by John’s knowledge, insights, and reading the natural world.
Gerald Davie
Your amazing knowledge of fauna and flora opened a new world to enjoy when I walk in any forest again. I found the morning most informative and enlightening.
Gertje Strachan
I felt held in God’s hands during the walk.
Glenys Ross
Thanks for helping me to understand the wonders of geology, John. Learning from you ignites my interest.
Andrew Wostenholm
“If you get a chance to walk with John, grab it.”
– Mike Forsyth
Contact us using the details below to book or find out more