Team
The Managing Director is founder and sole proprietor John Lawrence. Apart from driving and guiding, John ensures that all private itineraries match the guests’ needs.
John was brought up in Zambia, and has lived in Botswana, South Africa and England. After many years as a teacher of English literature, John founded his private touring company in 2000.
Our Operations Manager and administrator in our office premises in the city is Sonja Briggs who enjoys fluency in English, German, Italian, French and Swiss dialect. Sonja is also a qualified Cape Town tour guide.
Associate Big Blue Sky tour guides
Guides and drivers are drawn from a large pool of freelance professionals, some of whom are generalists, but many of whom are specialist guides (for example in wildlife, geology, wine, architecture and history).
Sebastian De Romijn has worked extensively in the hospitality industry and has been guiding visitors to the Cape over many years. His passion is the natural world of the Cape Peninsula, including the geology of the Cape mountains, and the rich marine environment. A particular interest is the relationship between mountain fires and the regeneration of fynbos, the Cape’s local flora. His voluntary fire-fighting activities have given him a unique insight into this relationship. Seb says he loves revealing the beauty of the Cape, while having fun at the same time!
Erica Vink has been guiding in Cape Town several years, to the delight of the many clients who request her services on their return trips. She is a food and wine specialist, turning wine tours into wine events!
Erica is always particularly careful in ensuring her guests enjoy the outstanding chocolate offerings from the Franschhoek Valley.
Stretton Barry has a degree in Hospitality Management and over 15 years experience in the luxury sector of hotels around the world, with a passion for being the perfect host to visitors from all cultures and backgrounds.
Stretton is equally comfortable kayaking in the Atlantic and hiking the highest peaks, as he is discussing the cultural history of our land and climatic influences on the particular wine being shared with new friends.
Malcolm Phillips was born in Nakuru, Kenya. His family were coffee farmers and emigrated to South Africa in 1963. After matriculating, he was employed by a photographic studio where he developed a love of photography.
Malcolm has been guiding for 42 years and his interests include history and the beautiful flora of the Cape. He also dabbles in cooking and loves wine.
Lieze Norval is both a Winemaker and Wine Guide in the Western Cape; home to South Africa’s most important wine producing areas. Lieze has lived and worked here for the past two decades, with a background in Oenology and Viticulture from Stellenbosch University and a keen appreciation for wine. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and love for the area with local and international travellers. She continues to make wine in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa’s most renowned wine regions.
“Just wanted to say a big thank you, we really enjoyed the wine tour, everything went perfectly over the two days! Lieze was absolutely brilliant, her knowledge, expertise and warm & friendly approach definitely made the tour what it was, we have learnt so much and really enjoyed sampling the wine & hearing about the history etc. Thank you again!”
- Richard & Kelly
Painting of Jeremy by Jan Kinney, American tourist
Jeremy Knowles was born and schooled in Cape Town, and graduated at the University of Cape Town as a high school teacher.
On holidays over the years, he set off in the 4 X 4 and “discovered” most of South and southern Africa. And so he began to think – what about doing this as a living? The rest is history –he qualified as a National Tour Guide in South Africa in 1997, and has since then led many tours around South Africa and our neighbouring countries – Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho and Swaziland.
His interests are reading, hiking, gardening, birding and travelling – and his attitude to travel is best expressed in the words of one of his favourite poets:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by,
And that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken.
Luke Oberholzer is a cultural guide who is passionate about showing visitors the beautiful country, people, animals, and of course, great wine, of South Africa. Luke enjoys history, sports, cooking and good company.
“Luke, it was such a pleasure to share this brief time with you and your beautiful country. Thank you for making its beauty come alive for us. We hope to be back to see you again soon. Please know how much your patience and kindness was appreciated. Also please know you will always have friends in Chicago! Do come visit us! Blessings to you and your family and your country.”
- ‘BeBe’ and Michael
Danie Theron enjoyed a long career as a professional travel photographer in the glossy magazine industry before entering the world of tourism. This included guiding for Thompsons Tours in Cape Town over many years.
Today Danie combines his professional free-lance guiding services with his lecturing and mentoring career at the Livingstone Tourism Academy in Cape Town. He is also part-owner at Scout Africa, a local travel service company.
On every tour he guides, Danie’s expertise, enthusiasm and commitment to his guests is always apparent, as is his evident love for the landscapes and cultures through which his guests travel.
Antony Broodryk has an in-depth knowledge of South African local history and is well versed in the wonders of our natural environment. He gets a great sense of satisfaction in helping our visitors experience a more fulfilling and interesting holiday.
Antony sees his role as enhancing your time by allowing you to really see, feel and experience the richness, beauty and cultural diversity of this amazing city and country.