For enthusiasts of history, nature, and culture, Howard Geach, a distinguished nature guide from Johannesburg, offers invaluable insights. Geach is celebrated for his expert knowledge of the Cradle of Humankind, encompassing the privately owned Greater Cradle Nature Reserve, a 9000-hectare Unesco World Heritage Site. His passion for history dates back to his school days.
Graduating from the University of the Witwatersrand with a BSc in engineering, Geach initially pursued a career as a Mine Engineer at De Beers & Anglo American Corp before transitioning to become the founder director of Conservation Corporation Africa (now &Beyond).
Tourism, history, and environmental preservation have always been his true calling. Geach embarked on his guiding journey in 1979 while still a student at the University of Witwatersrand, later becoming a technical guide at the Gold Mine Museum. Subsequently, in 1980, he ventured into wilderness guiding for the Wilderness Leadership School, founded by the esteemed conservationist Dr Ian Player.
Geach’s diverse interests span geology, paleoanthropology, stone age, iron age, wilderness education, history, art, and the economic impact of tourism in South Africa.
“Gauteng and North West possess all these attributes, and I strive to convey their remarkable stories to guests to the best of my ability,” Geach remarks.
As the lead guide and manager of the acclaimed Malapa Human Origins Tour at the Greater Cradle Nature Reserve, home to renowned fossil dig sites Gladysvale and Malapa, Geach’s company, Aah-Africa Tours and Transfers, offers an unparalleled experience. The reserve, housing the esteemed Cradle Boutique Hotel and the luxurious Riverhorse Lodge, attracts tourists worldwide.
Geach’s delight in the reserve is evident: “Witnessing endangered Cape vultures feasting near the Johannesburg skyline or encountering herds of eland or blesbok on the grasslands is always special. Discovering the endangered grassland orchid, Habenaria mossii, in bloom is truly remarkable.”
Geach’s encyclopaedic knowledge is often lauded, with many asking how he retains such vast information. His response reflects his deep connection to the landscape: “The truth is, the landscape is my guide. Understanding the sequence of earth and evolution lays the story before you. Yet, there’s always more to learn and share.”
Written by Brümilda Swartbooi
16/02/2024