Kate Bergh

Kate Bergh

Co-Founder & Director

Cedarberg Africa was started by Kate alongside her sister Ginny back in 1995.

Her passion for Africa all started with an overland trip through Africa. What a heady combination of wildlife, magnificent landscapes, hiking (including Kilimanjaro) and adventure. Afterwards, she headed to INSEAD in France to do an MBA where her life took a left turn when she met a South African there. A few years later, now married to the said South African, she emigrated to the Cape where she has been living for over 30 years.

She is naturally optimistic. (Always thinks she can get more done in the day than is remotely possible). And she is keen to ensure as many people can experience Africa as possible.

Cedarberg Africa pioneered self-drive road trips through South Africa back in the 90’s and Kate checked out both the big attractions and the more unique and quirky places. (Still as much in love with the country as she was when she first arrived). But she does have a distinct preference for mountains and ocean. Don’t put her anywhere flat!

Kate has also wantonly used her three kids as guinea pigs when testing out family-friendly lodges. Their feedback has only become more discerning as they’ve grown up.

When not working, Kate can be found hiking in the mountains, cycling and snow-skiing.

More on Kate

Most Memorable Sighting?

I always enjoy even a quiet game drive, but sometimes they are adventure-packed and other times more relaxed. There’s an element of luck at play. My most hectic game drive was when I left my husband in charge of our young kids so it was only the ranger and me in the vehicle. So I already felt like a VIP celebrity. We proceeded to have an array of all the big sightings you could think of including a family of lions on the hunt, two leopards mating – with their distinctive guttural sounds – and a juvenile leopard hunting an impala. And then desperately eating as much as possible before trying, unsuccessfully, to take it up into a tree. But then she was chased away by a pack of hyenas. Then as we meandered back to the lodge, we saw a Pangolin – an extremely rare and magnificent sighting. Normally Rangers like to act quite cool as it if it all in a day’s work for them, but he was overjoyed by the whole game drive and especially the pangolin sighting!

Expert Tip to Share?

Download a Birding App even if you are not a keen birder (yet). It adds to the enjoyment of a safari and the App usually allows you to record where you saw each bird so that you gradually build up your personal birding list.

One thing I always pack on a Safari trip

A large scarf is so useful for myriad reasons. Protecting exposed skin from too much sun. Or acting as a light cover-up if there’s an evening chill. You can wrap it around your camera while you are on a game drive to protect it from dust. And you can wrap it over your swimwear to get from the room to the pool. I could go on….

Kate's Favourite Destinations

Lower Zambezi

The Lower Zambezi is one of the most attractive & rewarding safari destinations in Zambia.

Hermanus

Hermanus is a picturesque fishing town and coastal resort with year-round charm – whale-watching in spring; sandy beaches in summer; wine-tasting and coastal trails...