My name is Iain Schouten hence the nick name, Scoutie as I am known to friends.

I have always had a passion for South Africa, exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. Being a tour guide, mainly in my home province of KwaZulu-Natal is what I love to do. We have so much of interest to offer travellers and tourists! All of Scoutie’s Tailored Tours are limited to one party. Basically that means you don’t share the tour with people you don’t know.

On Roads Less Travelled

Whilst both the passage and the destination are important, my focus is on ‘the passage’ . It’s about what you see whilst en route and as far as possible, on roads less travelled. They are always just so much more interesting!

Game Reserves

In our game reserves I concentrate on looking ‘through’ the bush and not at it. It’s amazing how much more you see! We look for the ‘small 5’ and usually stumble across a bird party which is so exciting and noisy in the most melodious way. And by the way, we often do see some, if not all of the BIG 5.

Magnificent Mountains

On the way into our spectacular mountains we always take in what is around us, aware too of the beauty of the sky line dominated by the Ukhahlamba or Barrier of Spears.

Scores of raptors can be seen, some perched on telephone lines and others soaring the skies ever looking for a snack. We might even see the rare bearded vulture or lammegeier, if we are lucky. To see 100’s of storks excitedly following a farmer ploughing his fields is a sight to behold. Running, skipping and dancing as they enjoy the smorgasbord on offer. The whisper of the wind in the trees and the babbling of the streams and rivers which become raging torrents after a summer storm.

Battlefields

Travelling up into the region where the famous battles between the Zulu and the English took place so many years ago in the 1800’s one can only gaze at the rural scenery in wonder. Harsh and arid to some, but abundant beauty uncovered for others. If your timing is right 1000’s upon 1000’s of flowering cacti stretch for many miles and as far as the eye can see. Especially beautiful in flower, they stand still, like soldiers, as if ‘on duty’, waiting. Were they all there at the time the raging battles were fought?

I go out of my way to make my trips unique and interesting for all my clients and look forward to every trip with great anticipation. I find it such an exciting privilege to show off all that KwaZulu-Natal has to offer.

Perhaps one day you will join me.

Contact me through the Contact form in the sidebar and I will design a tour to fulfill your dreams. Or you can phone me on 031 5613973 or 082 841 3593

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