About John

John Kirkpatrick – Proprietor & Lead Guide

Gū Huri Touring and Guiding is owned and personally operated by John Kirkpatrick, a registered South African tourist guide and a lawyer who practised for 35 years and who has a lifelong connection to the landscapes he guides.

His legal career has instilled professional skills which are central to his guiding: clear communication, careful listening, attention to detail, and a deep respect for history, evidence and context.

While Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands and the Overberg form the core of his guiding work, one destination holds particular personal significance — the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

John’s maternal grandfather, Johannes le Riche, was the founding warden of the Kalahari Gemsbok Park, today known as the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The park remained in the care of the le Riche family from 1931 to 1995, creating a rare, multi-generational bond with one of Southern Africa’s most iconic wilderness areas.

His heritage informs a deep respect for conservation, quiet wilderness and the ethics of responsible travel.

Whether guiding a full-day Cape Peninsula tour or an extended journey into the Kalahari, John brings curiosity, balance and a strong sense of stewardship to every experience.