It was a hot July afternoon in 2005 when I first sat down to interview Robin Mountain in Tucson, AZ. We were both attending the American Birding Association's conference there. Robin is one of the owners of Ntaba Tours, a company that specializes in providing travel and customized tours to South Africa. Because South Africa was a place I always wanted to visit, I decided there was no better time than the ABA Conference itself to talk with Robin Mountain. Since that first meeting, I have already been to South Africa with Ntaba Tours during March 2006, and we are planning another trip there in October 2006. In light of those circumstances, I decided to complete the interview with Robin that I started almost one year ago. If you've always wanted to know what South Africa is like, you'll find lots of important and valuable information documented below. Read on, and enjoy!

/s/ John C. Robinson
President, On My Mountain, Inc. (hereafter OMM)

                                  John Robinson and Robin Mountain

OMM: What first got you interested in nature?
Robin: I was extremely blessed growing up in South Africa on a large farm on the banks of the Rietvlei Dam, surrounded by a nature reserve. My parents introduced me to birding at a very young age and we were members of the South African Wildlife Society. We went on many birding outings and I had the privilege of being taught by some of South Africa's most renowned ornithologists. I later became a member of the Vulture Study Group of South Africa. I spent many hours watching the birds of the Highveld region. I not only learnt their names but also learnt to imitate their calls. I would be woken in the mornings by the call of Africa's most majestic eagle, the African Fish Eagle. While eating breakfast I would hear the unmistakable call of the Crested Barbet going off like an alarm clock that had no snooze button. On a typical day, I would see flocks of Helmeted Guineafowl running in the open grasslands, and Yellow-throated Longclaws perched precariously on large anthills. Then there was the Fiscal Shrike - commonly known as the "Jackie Hanger" because it would impale its prey on anything with a sharp point to it. As the sun would set, the Red-chested Cuckoo would utter a loud oft-repeated "weet-wee-weeoo", and at night we would have the Fiery-necked Nightjar break the silence with its plaintive, descending, six-syllabled "Good Lord deliiiiiiers us" call.

OMM: So, you are still citizens of South Africa?
Robin: Yes. Although we are currently living in Kentucky, we have retained our South African citizenship.

OMM: What made you and your wife decide to start offering tours to your home country?
Robin: We enjoy the home of our birth and sharing that experience with others. Also, we speak the local languages and have extensive knowledge of the African Culture and the country as a whole. We offer a unique opportunity to enjoy excellent cuisine, beef, lamb, fish, and game together with superb South African wines. Besides, there is great souvenir shopping, African art, skins and hides, diamonds, and Kruger Rands. And, most importantly, we are both South Africa Fundi Tourism Experts, certified by South African Tourism.

OMM: What do people do when they go on one of your natural history and birding safaris?
Robin: As a South African now living in the U.S. and an avid birder, I understand the needs of birders and I appreciate the different techniques that need to be applied in organizing successful birding tours and safaris. We not only cater to the ardent birders, but also to the casual birder who enjoys birding at a sedate pace, but also seeks to experience the natural history and further beauty and splendor of South Africa. You truly feel you have experienced the land, the people, the culture, and nature after going on one of our birding and natural history tours. For example, we visit a paleoanthropological site, a cultural village, the Cape Town wine country, several of South Africa's National Botanical Gardens, Kruger National Park, and the Mkuze Game Reserve on our tour, and this offers our clients a greater diversity of potential activities compared to tours offered by other companies.

OMM: Is it difficult to get to South Africa?
Robin: Not at all. Typically, from Atlanta, you can take one flight that has a single refueling stop before arriving in Johannesburg.

OMM: So, do people need to book their own flights?
Robin: Not at all. We have a travel agent who books flights for all of our clients, and usually at costs far less than one could normally find elsewhere.
   

OMM: Once you arrive in South Africa, do we stay in tents?
Robin: No. Our accommodations are top-notch, and the hotels or lodges we usually stay are are equivalent to a 4-star hotel here in the U.S. Our clients' peace of mind, comfort, and safety is foremost among our priorities.

OMM: Do people need to worry about their safety while in South Africa?
Robin: Not any more so than here in the United States. You should always be aware of your surroundings, just as in any big city in America. And since Stella or I will accompany our clients to South Africa, we know the country real well and only take people to locations that are known to be safe.

OMM: What is the cost of the tour to South Africa and how does it compare with other companies?
Robin: The cost of the tour is $3800.00. Airfare from Atlanta is approximately an additional $1350.00, and that is subject to change until the tickets are actually purchased. Compared to other companies offering the same quality of service, we are very competitively priced and offer savings as much as several thousand dollars.

OMM: What else is included in your price?
Robin: Well the Itinerary is the best document to review to see what’s included. Once people pay their deposit and sign up to go, we also send them a package containing the book "Sasol Birds of Southern Africa" by Ian Sinclair, Phil Hockey and Warwick Tarboton, as well as a checklist for the areas that we will be visiting, and other relevant information to make their birding more enjoyable and successful.

OMM: That’s right, and for all of the tours that we’ll be doing together, I am also throwing in my birding software, the North American Bird Reference Book. Speaking of which, do you remember what you told me about birding in South Africa when we were on Mt. Lemmon in Southeast Arizona?
Robin: No, what was that?

OMM: Well, I had just shown you Painted Redstarts and Red-faced Warblers and we were standing on Mt Lemmon in southeast Arizona, one of the most treasured birding locations on Earth. And I remember you remarking how "quiet" it was compared to the bird life in South Africa. I said to myself, "If one of the best birding areas in the U.S. can’t measure up to what it is like to go birding in South Africa, I definitely need to see South Africa for myself.”
Robin: Oh, yes, now I do remember that. And, based on the tour we did in March 2006, were your expectations met?

OMM: More than met; they were exceeded. It was the first time I had gone anywhere and seen over 330 bird species in a 2-week period, with over 90% of them being Lifers that were new to me. I mean, South Africa is about twice the size of Texas and has over 900 species; compared to all of North America which also has approximately the same number of species. When you consider it in that perspective, it becomes immediately clear that a biological paradise exists there. I still remember the time when we saw over 400 Amur Falcons in one day! I was also very much impressed with our special Zulu bird guide, David Nkosi - his talents and skills are remarkable and among the best I’ve seen in anyone in over 20 years.

OMM: What if people have more questions? Who do they contact?
Robin: They can contact myself or Stella. Our website is www.NtabaTours.com and our toll free phone number is 1-866-GO-NTABA; that’s 1-866-466-8222.

OMM: How would people go about signing up?
Robin: Well, our next birding and natural history safari to South Africa is on October 20 through November 4, 2006. The deposit is $380.00 and can be sent in with the Registration Form, which is included as part of the Tour Itinerary. They can follow this link or contact us by phone using the number above. Our travel agent would work with them to book the airfare.

OMM: So it sounds like you take care of everything and that everything is well-planned.
Robin: That’s right, John. Once people sign up, the only other thing they need to do to enjoy themselves is simply show up at the airport on the day of departure.

OMM: Robin, thanks for taking the time to talk with me again.
Robin:` My pleasure, John. See you soon on the South African birding trail.