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User Image Review submited by Joseph

Incredible Four Day Geological Adventure Through South Africas Western Cape with Expert Guide Andreas Groenewald

Reviewed February 18, 2026

I’ve just returned from a 600‑million‑year journey through the geology of South Africa’s Western Cape—a remarkable four‑day geological excursion offered by Gantouw Tours & Excursions and booked through TourHQ. I could not be more pleased with the experience. The tour brought the geology of Gondwana vividly to life. Seeing this portion of a former supercontinent up close gave me a powerful sense of the sheer scale of mountain building, rifting, and erosion involved. The magnitude was staggering. As a geologist, I found this to be a genuine learning experience—arguably more instructive than an entire semester of classroom lectures and textbooks. The geological highlights were complemented by unforgettable wildlife encounters. One morning in Karoo National Park, a kudu greeted us on our way to breakfast, standing no more than five meters away—a magnificent and unexpected bonus. Each evening’s accommodation was both comfortable and thoughtfully chosen. Our first night at Karoo One offered a stunning canyon setting, complete with baboons moving through the landscape. The second evening, spent at Karoo National Park, allowed us to examine Permian fossils and explore the dolerite sills capping nearby peaks. It is truly jaw‑dropping to realize that these high points were once buried beneath geological layers that have since been stripped away by 300 million years of erosion. On our final night near Prince Albert, we had access to spectacular examples of folding and faulting that perfectly capped the journey. Being off the grid for four days restored my soul. Our guide, Andreas Groenewald, was exceptionally knowledgeable, experienced, and professional. Without his insight and local connections, I would not have been able to see—or fully understand—more than a fraction of what we experienced in such a short time. It was a genuine pleasure getting to know Andreas and the people he introduced us to along the way. I will absolutely enlist Andreas and Gantouw Tours & Excursions again on future trips to South Africa. There is so much more geology left to explore. Gantouw Tours & Excursions: https://www.gantouwtoursexcursions.co.za/index.php TourHQ: https://www.tourhq.com/

User Image Review submited by SUSAN

A REAL TREAT

Reviewed September 14, 2021

Thanks so much Andreas. We so enjoyed ourselves and learned so much. It was so worth the time and money. I can highly recommend Andreas as he is a font of information 

Travelled in as a couple

User Image Review submited by Llewellyn

Andreas Groenewald review

Reviewed March 15, 2019

Good morning. I had the privilige of exploring the HH Reserve last weekend with Andreas. Andreas has an incredible knowledge of the natural world, as well as incredible enthusiam and energy in what he does. I greatly look forward to my next hike with him. Regards, Llewellyn Louw.

Travelled in with friends

User Image Review submited by Dave

The perfect guide

Reviewed March 14, 2019

Andreas is my idea of "the perfect guide". I found him extremely knowledgeable about nature, history, geology, archaeology, and a lot more. It was wonderful being guided and informed / educated by him during the three days of the hike. He made the plants, nature, mountains, birds, insects and everything we encountered come to life and so much more interesting and understandable. Over and above his excellent knowledge he is also a friendly and most likeable person. He is the type of person that instils confidence and is definitely the type of person that I would like around in a crisis. I want to thank Andreas for the most pleasant trip I had - your passion for nature and life in general is amazing and contagious. You will definitely see me again on one (and more) of your tours in future.

Travelled in with friends

User Image Review submited by Bernd

HELDERBERG WEST PEAK

Reviewed March 12, 2019

WAS FÜR EIN ERLEBNIS !!!

Wir hatten ein wunderbares Bergerlebis. Der Berg ist "NICHT OHNE". Das Wetter erschwerte zudem die Bedingungen (Hochnebel und Regenschauer). Dennoch: Wir haben ihn geknackt !!!

Ein ganz GROSSES LOB gebührt unserem ANDREAS. Er ist nicht nur ein AUSGEZEICHNETER BERGFÜHRER und Kenner der Flora und Fauna, sondern auch ein sehr  annehmer MENSCH.

Wir freuen uns auf weitere Touren mit ihm !!!!!!!

BAIE DANKIE Andreas

Das war AMASING

Travelled in as a couple