Meet the Tour Leaders - Chris Abrahamse

Chris Abrahamse

Chris Abrahamse is from South Africa and leads Explore tours in his home country. Every tour he leads, he receives universally great feedback, with comments such as:

"Excellent local knowledge, helpful, enthusiastic and cheerful."

"One of the best Tour Leaders ever - professional, knowledgeable and enthusiastic."

"Fabulous, wonderful, great knowledge, fantastic, well organised, happy to go the extra mile."

If you were given a free plane ticket to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Peru

What’s the best thing about life on the road as a tour leader?

The view from my office window!

Have you got any packing tips for a travelling life?

Iron before you pack and always choose your most comfortable shoes.

What do you never leave home without?

Mobile phone charger and camera.

On tour what has made you stop in your tracks and go “Wow!”?

The first rays of the morning sun hitting Table Mountain in the summer.

What’s your top tip for travelling responsibly?

Respect the people and environment you find yourself in. Try not to act like a tourist!

If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

My mothers’ trifle!

If you had the chance to start a new country with your own rules, what would be your first rule?

Common courtesy and giving thanks for the gift of a brand new day!

What was your proudest moment as a tour leader?

Being told that I was the best guide ever by someone who has done 20+ Explore tours.

What was your funniest moment as a tour leader?

Being asked if giraffe hunt in packs!!

When answering the questions, Chris was keen to mention how much he enjoys his job and how it's all down to those who support him in running the tours he leads, both on tour and in the office.

"In the almost 7 years I’ve been guiding the Cape Escape tours I can honestly say I’ve had the opportunity to meet some really fantastic people, and some really weird ones too.

I remember my first tour as if it were yesterday. I was as nervous as all hell and told the group in no uncertain terms that I was a green horn and we’d probably all get lost together. On every tour there is always someone who you remember, well on that tour of Christmas and New Year 2003/2004 Tim and John will always have my respect and gratitude for saving my sanity.

Having done 103 tours to date I can honestly say that without the help of the guys behind the wheel of the vehicles we use, every tour is doomed to failure. To all my drivers who’ve become my close friends thank you for putting up with me.

 To those that have had the confidence in me to keep sending me out tour after tour, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. A huge thank you also to the people behind the scenes, who have made our jobs easier than they would otherwise have been."