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 Sarah Drew: Director   

Sarah is the founding member of Active Escapes. She completed her Masters in Geography, case studying different models of community based tourism along the Pondoland Wild Coast and then worked as a tourism researcher for Haley Sharpe SA. This was followed by some UK stints in events management on various EU initiatives. A fervent traveler with a particular penchant for sweat-induced adventure, she spent many happy months backpacking around SE Asia and South America with her eccentric sister.

These travels provided first-hand experience with many eco and adventure-based tourism operators and inspired thinking on the untapped potential that existed back home. It was cruising down the Beni River in central Bolivia that she decided it was time to trade in her blackberry for bicycles, and start her own active holiday operation.

Sarah is passionate about the outdoors and is prepared to try most things, at least once. She will find any excuse for a ‘route scouting' mission, and takes pleasure in putting together extraordinary adventures in unique locations.


 Carlos..speedy..Gonzalez: Mountain & MTB Guide   

Carlos hails from Barcelona, Spain. After completing his Honours in Physics he paid off the student loan working as a computer analyst. This was followed by a move to the fiscal haven of Andorra, working in the computer department of a bank, for six years. One of his fondest memories, apart from the tax breaks, was working till dawn on the arrival of the new century, ensuring that the bank's computer systems didn't crash.

Living in the heart of the Pyrenees he got to enjoy many active pursuits in the great outdoors. However, life soon took on monotony and a new challenge was needed. He decided to take up long-distance triathlon. After 5 years of hard training and perseverance he achieved his ambition by qualifying for the 2003 Ironman World Championship's in Hawaii. He had other dreams too, and it was around this time that he decided to leave behind all that was familiar and comfortable. He quit his job, put his suit and ties into storage (which incidentally he has never retrieved), sold his flat and car, then flew half-away around the world, bike in tow, to the most southern tip of South America. 18 months and 33,000 km's later he reached the Arctic Sea in Alaska. Somewhere between Barriloche and Bogota, he met his South African girlfriend, Bridget Ringdahl, with whom he shared the road (and his tent ) for several months. Although they needed to part ways in Cartagena, he knew where he would be headed next.

Life has been good since his arrival in South Africa. It was September 2005 and he fell in love with the country straightaway. Places like the Drakensberg, Wild Coast and the Midlands provide all the inspiration he needs. After the taste of freedom, working in an office again was out of the question. He has since qualified as a tourist and mountain guide, and as his friends joke, embarked on a serious love affair.. with the Drakensberg, where he spends most weekends.

Inbetween, he continues his adventures with Bridget, having recently cycled in Morocco and hiked in the Himalayas. He's got a long list of other trips he's keen to do, but one thing is certain - South Africa is where he calls home!

Please contact us:

Sarah Drew
Tel/Fax: +27 (0)33 2344367
Cell: +27 (0)84 240 7277
Email: sarah@active-escapes.co.za
Website: www.activegetaway.co.za