IN developing a new 4x4 route from the Northern Cape town of Pofadder up to the Richtersveld National Park - to be officially launched early next year - hotel owner and South African Tourism-accredited tour guide, Norman Featherstone, is exploring the "untested" method of introducing a field guide on the route.
"This will be one way to control the 4x4 route, ensuring that people stick to the route and in so doing, preserve the ecology. Also, the guide will be knowledgeable about the culture, history, geology and eco-system and could provide valuable insight to travellers."
Featherstone told Travel Now that he was consulting widely with various tourism industry leaders and 4x4 manufacturers and users to gauge their feelings and needs.
"It has still not been decided whether the guide would be in a separate vehicle or in the same car as the driver. This, of course, will all depend on what the 4x4 trail users prefer."
The soft launch of the three-night, four-day 4x4 route - which Featherstone says "still needs a few adjustments" - will be at the Star Getaway Show to be held in Johannesburg next month.
"This also provides the perfect platform to gain insight into how the industry feels about my proposal," he added.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
