It’s Leighton Bru #trailjunkie

Q: How long have you been a trails guide?

5 years.

Q: What made you want to become a guide? 

I am sure everyone wants to be a trails guide but that’s just our genetics talking to us. We were born to walk and run and hike, we need to keep moving. Perhaps when we hike we do so by necessity, as we trace the invisible songlines of our genome.

The incredible experience of being who you are and a physiological liberation of being out on trail is unmatched. After my first trail it was pretty clear, I couldn’t do anything else, the attraction of trail had consumed me. #trailjunkie

How many trails do you do on average a year? (COVID aside!)

I’m not sure on the number of trails per year but I have currently done 46 trails, logged over 3000 walking hours in big game country, and spent over 130 days sleeping in the Bush without a tent. How amazing!

Q: Which is your favourite trail in SA/in the world? 

The “Makuya” trail in Northern Kruger holds a special place in my heart. It has some of the most dramatic landscape I have ever had the privilege to see, let alone walk through.

Q. What has been your most scary/exciting encounter with an animal on trail? 

These stories are best saved when we are huddled around a warm fire on a dark night out on trail.

What is a favourite trail moment or memory?

Without a doubt the feeling you get as you set off on the start of any trail. Those who have been on one will know it and those who haven’t, you need to!

Q: Tell us how you eat on trail

Trail Food Co all the way!

Q: Which is your favourite trail food meal? 

I like all of the Trail food meals but the Mushroom Risotto is fantastic!