Edenvale guide takes SA bush to the world
“My thinking was I couldn’t take people into the bush so I was going to bring the bush to them,”
With Covid-19 and related regulations impacting the number of international tourists visiting SA, many working in the tourism sector have had to relook how to sustain themselves and their families.
Edenvale naturalist and nature guide Neil Heron met with the NEWS to tell his story about how he shared SA wildlife with the world while the world was unable to come to SA.
Last year Neil wrote and published a limited international edition book titled Safari: My Journey Through the Sands of Time.
The book shares Neil’s journey and experiences as a nature guide with over 20 years of experience working both as a field guide for the Kruger National Park and privately.
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Neil, who used to work in the publishing industry, decided to pursue a career in guiding because of his love for nature.
“I wanted to create awareness about what we as humans do in the world and the impact we have on the environment.”
Neil said during his time as a guide he has driven countless kilometres and walked thousands of kilometres in the Kruger National Park, an area which he described as his second home.
He believes SA has the most some of the most exciting ecological, historical and cultural backgrounds and diversity that the rest of the world can learn a lot from.
Besides offering tours, Neil provides educational talks to schools and the Modderfontein Conservation Society. However, because of Covid-19, this has temporarily stopped.
Neil said the decision to write his book came to him shortly after March 26 last year.
Neil was in the Kruger National Park on tour with Canadian tourists near Pafuri Gate when he received a call telling him that he needed to get himself and the tourists back to Johannesburg before the lockdown started.
“When I came home after the guests were safe at their accommodation I told my wife Tina, that’s it in terms of my work as a guide.”
Uncertain what to do next, Neil suggested to his family that he should write a book.
After further thought, Neil decided to write his book with the assistance of Tina who has experience in the media industry as a sub-editor.
“My thinking was I couldn’t take people into the bush so I was going to bring the bush to them,” explained Neil.
Neil said his son Cameron, who has a BA in film and television, edited video footage of wildlife Neil had filmed over the years so that he could create more content for his audience.
He explained everything was done remotely through a collaborative effort and network of businesses and friends in other countries.
Although his book was a success, in February Neil suffered a heart attack.
Neil explained that the heart attack was brought on by the stress caused by the pandemic and restrictions limiting his business.
Even though Neil has recovered, he said it was not an easy journey for him nor his family.
Neil said although he does not plan to publish the book in SA, he is working on other projects.
He has created a series of calendars available for purchase and also sells prints of his wildlife photographs to generate additional income.
“No matter how hard things get you must always believe in yourself,” said Neil.
Neil also believes that community members need to start helping each other more for small businesses to survive.
“We have to adapt and take hands.”
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