HAVING just completed their guide training in Mpumalanga/Kruger National Park - presented by Gold Reef Guides - two medical doctors have officially launched Pappa Crochés Tours, specifically targeted at smaller, upmarket international "over 65" tours and incentive tours for medical professionals.
"Who else can say they have two doctors on their bus as tour guides?" asks Dr Pierre Cronje, who launched Pappa Crochés with friend and colleague, Dr Hannes Fouche.
He told Travel Now that he and his partner, both based in Bloemfontein in the Free State, had a mutual love of travelling and were both looking for another challenge, hence the establishment of the tour operation.
Cronje explains that Pappa's uses a 16-seater luxury minibus, equipped with a video machine and a CD- player, to transport the tourists to "all parts of the country".
"We are extremely flexible in our operation and design tailormade itineraries. We have chosen the two markets mainly because not only can we guarantee that we will see to the health needs of the older tour groups, but we also know what will interest the medical professionals."
Both he and Fouche have completed their South African Tourism (Satour) accredited training in KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, Free State and the Western Cape.
Gold Reef Guides trainer, Lynne Smith, told Travel Now that 15 people completed last month's Mpumalanga course, including a university professor who specialises in Hebrew.
"We have all sorts of people who complete our course, some because they feel they'd like to keep up to date on travel trends, but mostly those who wish to establish their own tour operation."
The next Mpumalanga/KNP course begins in August.
(Adéle Mackenzie)
