Personalised
Professional
Private Tours
Curated To
Your Interests,
Time & Pocket
Gallery, Clips, Testimonials
Top, from left: A short Ndebele film, "Night Moves", "Chant of the Ground Hornbills", "Dawn Chorus" and below, "Action at Elephant Pan".
Frank's Movie Camera Museum
Frank Meyburgh is famous in the South African film
industry. His family was involved from the earliest days,
and this charming and knowledgeable video engineer
runs a top camera rental company. His collection of old
cameras, lenses, video cameras and other memorabilia is
unrivalled. Cinephiles or anyone who wishes to see
this marvellous collection can take a personal trip to
meet Frank and have him show you around.
Mpumalanga Scenic
Some of the spectacular sights you can
include deep gorges leading from the
Drakensberg escarpment down into
lowveld vistas (far left), while from God's Window, you can take a lovely cool walk through indigenous rain forest (right) to viewpoints with majestic views across the mountains and lowveld (below).
At the Echo Caves, you can see the
biggest natural rock shelter in Africa, which
is also one of only four Middle Stone Age
archaelogical excavation sites (bottom middle)
Testimonials
The opportunity to visit a nature reserve with David Forbes was a particular pleasure as he is deeply interested and knowledgeable not only in the birds and animals that live there, but also concerned for their welfare in terms of the management of the reserve. Being a photographer himself, he is willing to be at a site for considerable lengths of time in order to allow his guests to be able to take photographs of birds or creatures in the veld. He is also a reliable and deft driver, an asset both in the reserves and out of it.
Forbes is also an interesting fireside companion not only because of his interest in the history and politics of the country, but also his own involvement as an activist and film-maker. He has spent twenty-five years photographing among the Ndebele people, for whom he has a great respect and love. He is also a graphic artist, and so has an interest in the arts, as well as a commitment to the learning and teaching of languages. He is thus an engaging host both in the veld and in the camp.
Elizabeth Burroughs
Johannesburg
We had the most amazing five days with David Forbes of Ukhozi Tours in August 2021, first in Kruger National Park and then at a fantastic lodge in a private reserve nearby.
He found the ideal camp in Kruger, catered and cooked our meals and deftly drove us around the park for thrilling wildlife sightings, including a litter of indescribably adorable hyena puppies.
One day he heard a distant trumpeting sound and led us to a stunning standoff between a bloat of 17 hippos and a herd of elephants.
He shared his deep knowledge and appreciation of the natural world and his wonderful sense of humor.
You will have the time of your life if you can take a tour with David.
Susan Adams
New York City
David Forbes is a natural guide. He has a wary eye for excitement but also for danger.
He feels happiest when he is in the bush – following tracks, his eyes searching for signs of life. He is passionately involved in the life of the bushveld.
When you travel with him, you learn to follow his ways, to take wild life as seriously as you take your own.
He knows what books to recommend. He knows what seasons are best. He knows what time of the day to see which bush creatures in the best light.
Be prepared to get up early for birdsong. He knows when his visitors need time to sit in a cool spot, perhaps near a river; watch kingfishers, have biscuits and tea, brew the best coffee or stop for lunch.
David knows how to make a good fire, a great braai. He will tell you long stories and make you roar with laughter.
You will never forget this.
On a clear savannah night, ask David about the stars, as they can only be seen in Africa, miles from city lights or the traffic of travelling aircraft.
Take home some unique and matchless memories.
Jennifer & John Day
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire, UK
I'm a South African, living abroad now, but never got the chance to visit the Kruger National Park, or that region, before. It remained on my bucket list for decades, so when I had the opportunity to go, I wanted it to be a special experience. I chose Ukhozi Tours to fulfil this dream, and am very happy I did so. You could say it is a package tour. It is, and it isn't. Therein lies its success for me, because as you can read on their site, it is a tailor-made experience. Instead, when you plan your tour, you are asked what you would like to see, what specific interests you have, what should receive specific attention, what routes you would like to take, or if you just want to sit back and let it happen. You get to see the itinerary beforehand, so you can tweak if you wish. It's up to you what to include or exclude.
My particular tour took in the Kruger Park, and an adjacent private game reserve, the world-famous Geo-Trail, Blyde River Canyon and the picturesque historic settlement of Pilgrim's Rest. You get explanations for what you are seeing – whether it be wildlife, geology, historical sites, and background information.
The guide, Ukhozi Tours owner David Forbes, has all the necessary accreditations, loads of knowledge, and he is a professional photo-journalist and filmmaker.
On the way, he will photograph your journey, which you will get at its conclusion. You will emerge from this experience better informed about this beautiful country, it's people and heritage, and its wildlife.
Ukhozi Tours ensured this was a very special experience for me, which will stay with me as long as I have a memory. The brochure and website lives up to its promises, and I highly recommend this tour company if you plan to visit South Africa.
Albert van Oortmerssen
Amsterdam
To whom it may concern
RE: David Forbes
It gives me great pleasure to write this recommendation for the wildlife guide David Forbes.
On a week's trip to a private game park, sharing an open border with the Kruger National Park in 2016, we were most fortunate to have David as our game ranger and escort/guide.
We went on early morning and also late afternoon/early evening game drives with David; he was very knowledgeable about the range of animals, individual characters and their families and where we would be likely to see them. David would also make good use of the tracking signs and explain them to us.
David was always cheery, helpful and extremely well informed on his subjects. The subject matter cover was broad; included geography, history, plant recognition, conservation and the natural world generally. His specialist interest is in native birds of Africa and wildlife photography.
David is practical, efficient, well organised and thoughtful of the needs of his group. He is well researched in his subjects and is all in all an interesting person able to fulfill expectations of what one would expect in a tour guide, including making an excellent barbecue/braai!
I would certainly use David's services again and have recommended him to friends and family.
Gillian Irvine
Reading, UK
Flexible and knowledgeable
David was very easy to communicate with during the booking process. He really listened to what I wanted to do, and tailored the 2 tours around that.
On the day, he was knowledgeable and good company. I enjoyed our conversations, and hearing about his experiences.
Everything went smoothly and I enjoyed both tours. He was very flexible & that ensured that I was able to get as much out of my limited time as possible.
Thanks David! Now highly recommended.
Pat Sparrow
Melbourne
Australia
July 2024
David was instrumental in giving me a real insight into the Ndebele people. His knowledge and passion about the people, their history and their art was evident from the very beginning.
His connection allowed us access I don't think I could have gotten through another tour.
Davbid's background in filmmaking gives him an advantage over other tour operators because of how he researches the locations. He looks at the subject, location or event with a photographer's eye, and the curiosity of a producer and writer, allowing him to give his clients a unique and special experience.
Janice McDonald
Atlanta, USA
http://jmacproductions.com
Art Tour
David Forbes took a guest of ours on a day tour of the Joburg art scene in April 2024 – and she loved it.
It was specifically designed around what she was interested in and at a pace which suited her.
It was a public holiday and David took the time to find out in advance who would be open and who wouldn’t, who was closing early and planned the route accordingly.
Our guest was very well looked after and I would recommend David to anyone wanting a similar experience.
Sarah Solomon,
Kuyimba Trading
June 2024
I travelled to South Africa from Australia, then flew to Hoedspruit where I was picked up by David FORBES and driven to our destination in a game drive vehicle.
The whole experience was amazing. David was cheerful and welcoming. Very informative, an expert driver, we felt relaxed and full of anticipation right away.
Our game lodge was excellent. We were there for five days, went on several game drives, both day and evening, all were extremely interesting, informative experiences. David is a wonderful host and a good cook, with an abundance of knowledge and humour.
I would highly recommend this African safari to all.
Marilyn Camacho
Harnett Ave
Mosman
Sydney
NSW
Australia.
