Roof of Africa Tours started as a family-run business, based in the beautiful village of Underberg. We are now one of the most trusted companies organising guided trips into the beautiful areas we call home. We are confident that the memories you will make on your journey with us, you will hold close to your heart for years to come. Our dream is to introduce the world to this special place in Africa, so we ensure that you get the most value for your money.
Owners - Emile & Nikita vd Heetkamp

Emile & Nikita vd Heetkamp took over ownership of Roof of Africa Tours in 2016 – with a passion for travel being the driving force!
From the first time you make contact with Roof of Africa Tours, you will deal with us personally as we want to make sure you get the best advice possible and to ensure a smooth booking process.
We love travelling ourselves so its easy for us to know what makes a good or bad tour and put every effort into making your trip special.
Travel planning with Emile van den Heetkamp
Emile has an extensive knowledge of South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini and is eager to help you discover these beautiful countries for yourself. Allow Emile to assist you with the planning phase of your African Safari or holiday.
Tour Guides
Emile van den Heetkamp is registered as a tourist guide for the province of KwaZulu-Natal as well as the Kruger National Park. He grew up in Durban and from an early age loved travelling with his parents.
With an old campervan they drove from the beaches of the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape to the mountains of Lesotho and into the open plains of the Kruger National Park.
With that passion for travel instilled, what better way to grow up then to own your tour company. In this case, one just has to escape the mundane office environment.


Peter Khomari is our senior guide, he is primarily involved in overland tours into Lesotho and designing the best routes to travel through Lesotho. His vast knowledge of the area is due to the fact that he is originally from Lesotho and his hometown is in the Mountains above the Southern Drakensberg.
He is extremely proud of the beauty, history and culture of Lesotho and loves sharing it with his guests. It’s also important to have a guide that can speak all the local languages whilst travelling in remote places in Africa.
Peter’s first passion in guiding was field guiding and he studied in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, he thus has an extraordinary knowledge of the plant and animal life common to this area.
Have a look at the amazing reviews Peter get’s on Roof of Africa’s TripAdvisor page.
Mondli Miya is extremely knowledgeable, outgoing, and charismatic. Having started working in tourism in 2006, Mondli has established himself as one of the most reputable guides in the Southern Drakensberg area.
Mondli is an avid birder and loves the fauna and flora that can be found en route to Lesotho and in other areas where he guides for us. He started birding in 2010, and was trained and worked alongside local birding legends; the knowledge that was passed down to him makes him a valuable asset to our team.
Above all, Mondli loves making people happy, and this is evident by his demeanor and his interactions with people. He enjoys introducing guests to new cultures and giving them an unforgettable experience. He also enjoys learning from the guests and their cultures, which ultimately gives him an edge over others as he knows how to interact with all people from all walks of life.
Have a look at the amazing reviews Mondli get’s on Roof of Africa’s TripAdvisor page.


We use a variety of freelance guides that we have handpicked as being the very best guides in the area, these are often specialist guides that work in particular fields such as birding, hiking etc.
Our priority is always finding the best guide to suit the needs of our guests and it shows in the reviews we consistently receive from past guests. Roof of Africa’s TripAdvisor page.
Durban Based Tours
Roof of Africa Tours has partnered with Wild Routes to ever improve our offering and create unique tour experiences that you will remember for a lifetime!
As we are based in Underberg and Wild Routes is based in Durban it thus offers the perfect relationship that benefits you, your guests.
Rest-assured that your entire tour will be handled in-house by one of our professional staff members.


Justin Perumal is committed to creating experiences that engage, surprise and transform the traveller ensuring they connect intimately with the KwaZulu Natal area. Wild Routes Africa, his brainchild, launched in 2016 now specialises in alternative tours and transfers throughout the province and beyond. His approach is simple — listen to your travellers. Their individuality is the key to a rewarding tour.

Exclusive Manyoni Private Reserve Safaris
Roof of Africa Tours has partnered with Luleka Safaris to gain access into the exclusive Manyoni Private Reserve
Luleka Safaris is based in the magnificent 23000ha Manyoni Private Game Reserve, home to the Big 5, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, along with many types of herbivores and smaller animals, including more than 400 bird species.
The majestic Ubombo Mountains form a breath-taking backdrop, coupled with the Msunduzi River which winds its way through the southern portion with its giant Sycamore Figs and Fever Trees, the Reserve is one of the most picturesque in the area.
The varied habitats give rise to ever-changing vistas which serve to enhance the safaris experience. A myriad of wild life encounters and photographic opportunities abound, whether you choose to explore on foot or in one of our customized vehicles. Relax and soak up the wilderness over sun-downers or with one of our famous ‘Ranger Coffees’. Our experienced guides will escort you and make sure you enjoy a memorable journey.