About us | Earthstompers Adventures

Where it all began…

Hendrik was studying at Stellenbosch College in 2001 and had an assignment to write a business plan for a new tourism company. Being a Mossel Bay boy at heart, he decided to write a business plan for an adventure tour company offering trips along the Garden Route.

After university, and a few years of guiding for other tour companies, Hendrik decided to put that business plan to work. That's when he founded Earthstompers Adventures in 2006. In those early days, it was just Hendrik and his trusty blue VW bus!

Chapter two

The second chapter in Earthstompers’ history began in 2012. Chrissy came from her home in Kansas City, United States as a tourist…fell in love…and decided to stay in South Africa. Chrissy quickly took over the business affairs of Earthstompers, including the financials, website, social media, and scheduling. Gone are the days of Hendrik’s hand-written calendars and boxes full of receipts!

These days, Hendrik & Chrissy operate Earthstompers together, along with the best office support team & group of guides you will find on the Garden Route.

Our guides and office staff

Cindy is the General Manager of Earthstompers Adventures. She has a passion for South Africa and spends her free time exploring the back roads. She has managed hostels across the country & enjoys giving visitors a unique insight into the beauty & diversity that our country has to offer.

CINDY

GENERAL MANAGER & SUPER GUIDE

Stephanie is our senior guide and a real expert on the flora & fauna in South Africa. It is a pleasure to go on a game drive in Addo Elephant Park with her – bring a notebook! She is also an expert in manoeuvring a big bus with a trailer, and it is awesome to watch her impress the old guys with her driving skills 🙂

STEPHANIE

SUPER GUIDE

Rochelle grew up in the small rural town of Musina, near the Zimbabwean border, where she found a love for South Africa’s inherent beauty as well as having a distinct fondness for climbing baobab trees and braving the Limpopo River. After being in the corporate real estate world for 10 years she found her calling as a tour guide.

ROCHELLE

SUPER GUIDE

Our path with Nicolene started when she was helping out part-time at the Earthstompers HQ, but we quickly could not do without her! Known as Mama Nicolene by the team, she takes care of our guides and vehicle logistics, all tours go through her for last checks, she works out Private Tour itineraries AND she even conducts some of our student day-tours. She has many years’ knowledge of the industry and enjoys history, culture & being outdoors. When she’s not at work she enjoys spending time with her friends & doing some gardening or needlework.

NICOLENE

TOUR COORDINATOR & GUEST SUPPORT

Ferne is full of energy & very passionate about our country & culture. You are guaranteed to have fun while learning and seeing amazing things on tour. She enjoys nature, hiking, a good glass of wine & her big dream is to live on a self-sustainable farm. Ferne also does walking tours in the city of Cape Town when she is not on the road with Earthstompers. 

Ferne

Super Guide

Christine is a farm girl from Robertson & lives on her family farm when she’s not travelling the world! She spent 10 years as a wine representative in the Roberston Wine Valley, & her skills & knowledge of wine & farming come through in her guiding commentary. In 2017 she decided to spread her wings & explore a different occupation, giving her more freedom to travel & explore South Africa, which she is very passionate about!

Christine

Super Guide

Nicole is born and raised in Pretoria. After school she studied a diploma in Culinary Arts, but instead fell in love with guiding. She has worked on the Garden Route since 2007 and splits her time between family, guiding and working in the study abroad space in Cape Town. She is passionate about history and getting off the beaten track, and enjoys the privilege of having the best job in the world.

NICOLE

SUPER GUIDE

Khotso has a colorful life story, having grown-up and lived in various regions across South Africa, mostly working in the youth tourism industry after studying Media & Political Science in Cape Town. He loves to show first-timers the hidden gems and local experiences along the routes we travel and has a particular passion for the Garden Route & West Coast. He will entertain you with interesting stories, historical facts and a great sense of humor.

KHOTSO

SUPER GUIDE

Enough about us - the most important people on tours are our guests. Whilst we do many private, customised tours, our most popular tours are group Garden Route & Addo tours. Our guests come from all corners of the world, including Germany, England, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, and have at least one thing in common - a love of travel. Our average age is 33, and 70% of our guests are women.

We often get solo travellers, groups of friends, or families, such as a young professional and their parents. Beyond the great food, great accommodation, beautiful scenery, and unique activities, the highlight of the week for many people are the other guests on tour.

Earthstompers Adventures' Tours provides visitors from all over the world with an authentic South African experience. The Garden Route is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in the world. Our air-conditioned vans are comfortable and the places you'll stay have been hand-picked over the years. Guests can choose their level of accommodation, including options for backpacker or guest house accommodation.

The Garden Route offers exciting, world-class activities. These include hiking, canoeing, bungee-jumping, skydiving, ziplining, shark cage diving and more! Many activities are included in our tour packages and we have many optional extras available for the more adventurous guests. We make sure that our guests experience delicious, authentic South African meals during your tour, and we cater for many special dietary requirements to ensure each guest is comfortable. If you want to experience the best that South Africa has to offer, look no further than Earthstompers!