Our native guides adore nature, socializing, and revealing Africa's treasures to you.
Founder & Destination Host
Growing up in Kwa-Zulu Natal, on the East Coast of South Africa, I spent most of my former years connected to the ocean – surfing, fishing, paddling and learning. Besides the ocean, some of my fondest memories growing-up were over-landing, camping and hiking trips with my family. Travel was a big part of my childhood and has had a great influence on where I am today. I came to Cape Town to continue my travel dream by qualifying as a guide and using this opportunity to explore more of this incredible city. Even with 34 countries ticked off my bucket list, Cape Town is still an incomparable place. This focal point of South Africa, where oceans meet, cultures collide and beauty transcends, calls to be discovered – at least once in your lifetime. To me, South Africa is a world in one place with a mosaic of culture, history, landscape, wildlife and adventure.
At the beginning of 2018, I started Saffa Tours, an authentic and immersive travel company, offering private guided services and tailored travel. I created Saffa Tours because I want to give people a customized, local experience of South Africa. I strive to ensure we go beyond the tourist traps to allow people to leave with more than just photographs and souvenirs.
Destination Host
Growing up along Cape Town’s picturesque West Coast, Jaryd was immersed in a world where oceans and mountains were his constant companions, shaping his days with boundless exploration. The most cherished memories of his formative years include campfires in remote havens, bonding with his father through shared fishing and culinary adventures, and the exhilaration of surfing South Africa’s incredible coastline with his closest friends. Jaryds weekends were always an exciting expedition, rejecting the mundane in favor of embracing the spirit of adventure.
After navigating the corporate realm for some time, Jaryd made a pivotal decision: discarding most of his material possessions, he shouldered his backpack and set off to see the world. It was during these transformative years that his affinity for travel blossomed into a deep passion. The cultures he encountered and the people he met inspired him, and he found it to be true that the greatest luxury of all is experience.
Returning after an enriching three years, Jaryd was greeted by the undeniable truth that Cape Town stands unrivaled and he once again decided to call it home. The convergence of majestic mountains and the vast ocean expanse, interwoven with an intricate tapestry of cultures, sets Cape Town in a league of its own. Here, Jaryd can travel an hour in any direction and encounter a myriad of landscapes that span his wildest dreams. Whether Jarryd is catching waves, embarking on hikes, reveling in the simplicity of camping, savoring the world’s finest wines, indulging in exquisite cuisine or sipping on the best coffee in town, and The Cape always holds the ideal backdrop for his passions to unfold.
The adoration Jarryd holds for his city has seamlessly turned into a profession. His truest joy is in imparting this love for the Cape Town and South Africa to others, as he guides them through a tapestry of experiences.
Jaryd relishes unveiling the Cape Towns charm, unmasking the oceans and mountains that cradle it, celebrating its culinary treasures, and above all, introducing the vibrant souls who breathe life into its vibrant streets.
Destination Host
Paul grew up in a small town, based in Kwa-Zulu Natal – an area where the mountains, bush, and the sea are all in close proximity. Having access to the Great Drakensberg Mountains, the Zululand Bush, and the East Coast of South Africa is what started his ongoing love affair for all things nature, history, and people.
Growing up in these environments gave him the opportunity to really explore and get lost in a region so rich with African culture and history. Over time he started to enjoy sharing these places and experiences with friends and family, and found a love for sharing unique experiences with people – most importantly for him seeing the joy it brought them.
After a 3-year stint working on the superyachts, and a full year traveling the globe, Paul returned home and continued his love affair for nature and finds himself either exploring the beautiful Cape region, eating his way through its delectable cuisines, meeting new people, and making them laugh or reading books about our diverse culture and history. South Africa sits at the forefront of where nature, culture, history, and food all collide, and for Paul, this is his bread and butter, he could not be more suitable to a region if he tried.
SAFFA is proud to have such a genuine person on their team, and as a private guide, he looks most forward to hosting you in our beautiful country, sharing it with you, and the many stories that go along with it.
Destination Host
I was born and raised in Cape Town and grew up in the southern suburbs. Really loved sport and fishing and spent a lot of time out fishing and diving with my family. I lived in the UK for 3 years after matriculating and worked in a hotel for most of it. That’s really where I found my love for hospitality and have pretty much been in hospitality ever since.
I completed my guiding qualification in 2010 at Livingstone Tourism academy and have been guiding ever since. I would say that as I have progressed in the industry I have developed a passion for our wine industry and showcasing and showing off our beautiful winelands. I always strive to make it the best experience for each guest, depending on their wine knowledge and interest.
That being said I also have a deep love for nature and the outdoors. My dad grew up in Still Bay and my mom on a huge sheep farm in the Groot Karoo and we spent nearly every school holiday at either place growing up. My folks were real nature lovers and they instilled that into us at an early age. So I love to hike and participate in adventure activities with guests as I also feel that it’s a nice way of getting to know each other.
When it comes to touring I would say that I love to give guests as much of a unique experience as they are comfortable with. I like to keep things light and easy and I don’t watch the clock. Unless I have to be somewhere at a specific time of course. Essentially I get a lot of energy and fulfilment out of sending our guests back with a real sense of feeling very well looked after and having had a unique and local experience.
The places you can go and the roads you can take.
On our trip, Josh and Saffa Tours put together an amazing itinerary, based on what we were into, and they provided us with an absolutely incredible trip. My wife and I love to travel, and have worked with many groups such as Saffa Tours; this trip was, by far, our favorite tour, and Saffa was the best guide group we’ve ever used.
David K, USA
We cannot thank Saffa Tours enough for making our precious time in the Cape the best it could be. I cannot recommend Josh and his company Saffa Tours enough, as they made our time in South Africa in the Cape absolutely amazing and we were looking forward to the holiday because of the great preparation.
James F, UK
Absolutely brilliant trip to Cape Town and around the Western Cape with Josh and the Saffa team. Perfectly and thoughtfully organised, full of insight and fun. Could not recommend more!
jennifer c, UK
We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him. Well worth the cost visiting in the Cape area where there are so many things to do. Lightyears ahead of what a larger tour group would be able to put together. From small details to adjusting the daily itinerary on the fly.
Sophia P, USA
Never have I encountered such organization, such fire for exploration - to show and to teach, and such willingness to adapt the bespoke tours and plans offered at any moment. We felt understood, we felt appreciated, and we felt that our best interests were always put first.
Chelsea C, USA
Wow, what a phenomenal tour guide. Knowledgeable, confident and so interesting. Our experience was carefully curated to suit our interests and passions and one could not have done a better job. We have been truly enriched by the SAFFA tours experience and can confidently recommend! South Africa and SAFFA tours; thank you!
jake b, USA
Amazing tour company. Josh helped plan our itinerary around the activities we wanted to do. Due to weather conditions a couple of the activities were cancelled but there were alternatives ready straight away. Rich was our guide and he was a joy to be around. Highly recommend!
jake b, USA