into the Wilderness

While I was a student at the 'Fitz' in Cape Town, I earned much-needed beer money by guiding birders at weekends.

-  ANDREW DE BLOCQ

It began with occasional pelagics, excursions to Kirstenbosch for sugarbirds, rambles to Rooi-Els for rockjumpers and now and then a wander up the west coast for waders. As my guiding credentials grew, the trips became longer; a tour into the Tankwa was a treat, as was an amble to Agulhas. But the guest request I always looked forward to the most was the gorgeous Garden Route.

We would base ourselves in Wilderness at the Kingfisher Country House, an unassuming nook enveloped by the lowest reaches of the Afromontane forest. The host couple were always welcoming and happy to greet birders. Around the dinner table on the first evening of each tour, I would announce (to the clients' horror) that we were not leaving early on our first morning for birding but rather staying at the accommodation to enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Protest usually ensued, but no threats to call my boss would persuade me otherwise. The confused and exasperated clients would eventually climb into bed feeling duped.