Hiking Guides

Adventure guides are any persons who provide adventure based experiences for paying clients. The basic requirement to be a legal Adventure guide is they must hold a SAQA registered National Qualification as stipulated by the National Department of Tourism, (NDT) which is managed and certified by the Tourism sector education training authority (CATHSSETA).

The Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) is one of 21 SETAs established under the Skills Development Act (No 97 of 1998) in 2001 and is the Sector Education Training Authority which quality assures guide training.

Adventure Qualifications Network (AQN) is accredited through CATHSSETA to offer guide training and assessment.

The Department National Tourism Registers guides with a Tourist Guide Information Card once assessed (by AQN) and they have a certificate issued by CATHSSETA. The National Department of Tourism is mandated to create conditions for the sustainable growth and development of tourism in South Africa. The Tourism Act makes provision for the promotion of tourism to and in the Republic and for regulation and rationalisation of the tourism sector, including measures aimed at the enhancement and maintenance of the standards of facilities and services utilised by tourists; and the co-ordination and rationalisation of the activities of those who are active in the tourism sector. The department is mandated to oversee the Registration of Tourist Guides in terms of the Tourism Act.

Types of guides are as follows:

Site Guide

They have attained the minimum qualification in order to guide in a “limited defined area”. Could be a place or activity i.e. A specific museum, A local attraction, Hiking in the Drakensberg, Paddling the Vaal, Rock Climbing.

Provincial Guide

Provincial Guides are qualified to take tourists around an entire Province and they will have been assessed theoretically and practically in that Province. i.e. Western Cape, KZN etc

National Guide

National Tour Guides have been and are permitted to conduct tours all around South Africa, crossing all provincial boundaries. They will have knowledge of all nine Provinces. It does get a little complicated as most Adventure Guides tend to operate Nationally although they are Site Guides, this is due to the site descriptor which is generic to the activity and not the geographical environment. eg. a Archery Guide can do archery anywhere. Some limitations do exist for some activities.

For more information you can also read: How to become an Adventure Guide and How to be a legal tour guide.

Questions to ask your potential guide:

adventure giude

To show you their National Department of Tourism Card which also indicates their type of registration. Their registration type needs to be Adventure Guide which allows guides conduct guided outdoor recreation leisure activities with an element of risk involved eg. abseiling, hiking, mountain climbing etc. We have added the Tag: NDT Adventure Guide where proof of registration has been supplied.

If you are to visit any rock art then your guide needs to also show you their AMAFA Rock Art Custodian registration. We have added the Tag: AMAFA Registered where proof of registration has been supplied.

Hiking Guides

Drakenberg Hiking Guides / Guided Hiking can help you take your love of the great outdoors to a whole new level, offering breathtaking vistas and once in a lifetime opportunities to explore some of the world’s most incredible landscapes.

Map of listings on this page
Three Tree Hill Lodge

Three Tree Hill Lodge

Rhenosterfontein farm, , KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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Against the magnificent backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa, and overlooking the secluded Mfazimnyama Valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve, lies Three Tree Hill Lodge. This Fair Trade certified lodge, places great emphasis on Sustainable Responsible Tourism and offers spectacular scenery, locally grow ...
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PathFinders_SA

PathFinders_SA

PO Box 23066, , KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
0 reviews

We curate, organise and guide custom-designed hiking adventures in the Drakensberg. We also host Mountain Yoga Retreats and hikes for children
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Into The Berg specialises in small group multi-day hikes (max 6 guests) in the remote Drakensberg wilderness. Hikers can join the scheduled monthly hikes, or alternatively book their own private group at a date and route best suited to them. With over 35 years experience exploring the slopes of this world heritage si ...
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For professional guiding in the Kwa-Zulu Natal Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Mountain Range, which includes multi day hikes into the High Berg or just a over nighters for first time hikers, wanting to experience a hiking trip for the first time. Berg Adventure operates from the Midlands town of Estcourt, very central to the ...
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Zee is short for Zimele, which means ‘independent’ in Zulu, and I am the only woman Zulu walking guide in South Africa. I am a qualified mountaineer with a National Tourism and Guide Diploma in Mountaineering and Adventure from THETA (Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority). I want to make y ...
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Itchyfeet SA is an owner-run organisation established in 2011. For the organisation the Drakensberg is a big deal. Each trip is guided by an accredited and experienced guide. From a few hours to a few weeks. Little Berg to High Berg. Wherever and whenever.
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My name is Mokamoli Motlomelo. I am a qualified tour guide, nature guide and bird guide. I do most of my trips in Sehlabathebe but i can do in all of the places in Lesotho. I do trips of hiking, birdwatching, wild flowers, horse safaris, rock art paintings, cultural activities, fishing, 4X4 trails and school challenges ...
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Peak High Mountaineering offers Drakensberg hiking tours to all Drakensberg regions, including Mount-aux-Sources, Cathedral Peak, Champagne Castle and Sani Pass. These tours are all guided by professional, qualified mountain guides. These hikes, can be anything from easy two-day hikes up to multi-day treks, with or wit ...
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ABS has crafted tours which, wherever possible are ‘off-map’, off the paved roads and designed to immerse you in an African experience. We have personally scouted and selected routes which take you to South Africa’s ‘must visit’ places and points of interest. Our tours are designed to roll along at a safe easy pace wi ...
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Simone and Russell Suchet started Sani Lodge in the Drakensberg Mountains in 1992. In 1998, we started Drakensberg Adventures as a tour company attached to the lodge. Russell is author of “A Backpacker’s Guide to Lesotho” and we have used our extensive knowledge of the Drakensberg and Lesotho to set up a variety of exc ...
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Hike to the 'Roof of Africa' and source of the Tugela, where you will stand atop the second highest waterfall in the world. Previously only attainable to experienced mountaineers, we offer a guided slackpacking trail where you can overnight in comfy mountain lodges, have your meals catered & backpack ported.
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Overnight specialized professional trekking company taking clients into the outer space of the high Drakensberg and showing them their inner space. ALIEN ADVENTURES offer overnight experiences from one to thirteen nights. We tailor make experiences to suit your fitness, time, and budget. From simple one night treks, sl ...
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Drakensberg Hiker is a self-owned business established to assist visitors who want to hike, trek or backpack through the South African Northern, Central and Southern Drakensberg Mountains with an experienced & expert guide. They also offer transport around the Drakensberg. E.G if your hike finishes at a different plac ...
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I’ve been running tours in the Drakensberg for 10 years now, often working for a variety of trekking organisations and companies. The highlight was working with the BBC and Julia Bradbury on their ‘Walks in Africa’ series, but I’ve also been hired by some fantastic adventure tour groups who I continue to work with now. ...
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Hikes with Drakensberg Ventures offers you a variety of hiking tours from the Drakensberg and Lesotho down to the magnificent Wild Coast of South Africa! Tours and hikes vary in distance and toughness, from hiking with children to the more adventurous and serious hikers.
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High Horizons was established in 2005 and offers customized guided hiking and trekking in the Drakensberg Mountains of Southern Africa.
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Ranging from a few hours to a full day, you can choose which hike best suits your needs and experience level. Experience the magic of Khotso on foot with Vicky, our Resident Mountain Guide. With panoramic views, crystal waterfalls and the majestic Drakensberg mountains framing the sky - go off the beaten track to witn ...
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We organize guided overnight hikes in most parts of the South African Drakensberg. From 2 days to multi day trips in to Lesotho. We are located in the Central Drakensberg on a horse farm bordering the uKhalamba World Heritage site. We provide professional guides and tailor made programs for small groups, family's, adve ...
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Supported slackpacking hikes are guided or 'self guided' multi-day hikes with overnight fully catered accommodation in camps or lodges, shuttle service from end of hike and luggage transfers between lodges. The Amphitheatre Slackpacking Trail has been designed to enable walkers of average fitness to reach the summit a ...
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As the owner and a tour guide at Tim Brown Tours, it has been a dream of mine to show what Durban and KwaZulu-Natal have to offer to the world. To develop a career working with wildlife and people, educating them about the natural system, where I can further my love of the outdoors / Nature and at the same time, contri ...
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With more than 20 years of mountaineering experience - from Trekking in the Drakensberg to Alpine North Faces and Big Wall Aid climbs, Tristan Firman has been actively guiding since 2005. Based out of Cape Town, South Africa, we specialise in Southern African adventure experiences from Rock Climbing and hiking Table Mo ...
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