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When actress and voice artist Anr\u00e9 Bouguenon signed up to be the presenter for Nomades, she wasn\u2019t looking for glam, she was looking for grit. \u201cI wanted to challenge myself and push myself out of my comfort zone,\u201d she laughs. \u201cThe idea of escaping the city and disappearing into nature for a few days was a no-brainer.\u201d<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take long for reality to hit, quite literally. \u201cFilming the first episode was very interesting. I\u2019d never hiked a multi-day hike before, and we slept in a cave that first night. I was excited and nervous at the same time. But after a little while, all the uncertainties crumbled away, and I realised I was surrounded by really awesome people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Being the only woman in the group didn\u2019t faze her one bit. \u201cWe got along like a house on fire! The guys were total gentlemen, always ready to help, even if two of them deserve medals for snoring the loudest,\u201d she jokes.<\/p>\n
Soon, the crew found their rhythm. Early mornings filled with the smell of coffee and sunscreen, the rustle of backpacks being zipped, and the day\u2019s adventure stretching ahead. \u201cWe\u2019d shoot the opening sequence, grab our maps, and then hit the trail. It\u2019s the simple things that stick with you … packing away your sleeping bag, filling your water bladder, having brekkie together before setting off. It becomes this beautiful, shared routine.\u201d<\/p>\n
But not every day was smooth sailing. \u201cThe toughest moment for me was when we hiked Magoebaskloof. I\u2019d just finished antibiotics that morning, and I still felt awful, coughing, wheezing, struggling to breathe. The trail was tough, and there were moments when I honestly wanted to give up. But when I realised the only way out was by helicopter, and I wasn\u2019t about to pay that bill, I pushed through!\u201d<\/p>\n
Between the laughter, blisters, and breathtaking views, Nomades became more than just a show. \u201cIt\u2019s soul food,\u201d Anr\u00e9 says thoughtfully. \u201cYou\u2019re surrounded by nature all day, every day. You learn about yourself, and you learn about the people you\u2019re with. Hiking is just as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one.\u201d<\/p>\n
There were plenty of \u201cthis is why we do it\u201d moments too. \u201cWe\u2019d be huffing and puffing up a mountain, exhausted, and then we\u2019d reach the top \u2026 and that view \u2014 wow. Having lunch up there, knowing you earned that view, that\u2019s absolutely priceless.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of course, it wasn\u2019t all serenity and silence. \u201cOn the Klipspringer trail, this massive black spitting cobra slid into the bushes \u2026 talk about nerve-wracking!\u201d she laughs. \u201cAnd once, in Magoebaskloof, we thought we were making great time until we looked at the map and realised we weren\u2019t even halfway. We stopped talking and just started walking like we\u2019d never walked before!\u201d<\/p>\n
For Anr\u00e9, the journey was a reminder of what really matters. \u201cA true Nomade is someone who isn\u2019t afraid of getting out of their comfort zone. It\u2019s about embracing the unknown, appreciating the simple things, and finding joy in the climb.\u201d<\/p>\n
When she\u2019s not out on the trail, Anr\u00e9 is back in the studio recording voiceovers, acting on screen, and volunteering with her beloved parrots at Brainy Birds Parrot Rescue. But no matter where she is, her heart still belongs somewhere wild. Under a big sky, boots dusty, smiling at the next adventure ahead.<\/p>\n
Elrich Yssel … The storyteller<\/strong><\/p>\n If you ever need proof that adventure often begins with a crazy idea, meet Elrich Yssel \u2014 filmmaker, hiker, and one of the driving forces behind Nomades. His first-ever overnight hike? Not a local trail, not even something easy. Nope. Mount Kilimanjaro.<\/p>\n \u201cCrazy, right?\u201d he laughs. \u201cBut that hike completely blew me away. It changed everything. I became obsessed with the idea of documenting overnight hikes.\u201d<\/p>\n That idea soon turned into something much bigger. \u201cNot long after, I met Wayne, he\u2019s an experienced hiker, and we started talking about doing a hiking show. Eventually, I pitched the idea to AfriForumTV, and they agreed to fund it since it was relatively inexpensive to produce. That\u2019s how Nomades began, a bunch of passionate people with cameras and hiking boots, figuring it out as we went.\u201d<\/p>\n Elrich\u2019s first day on set wasn\u2019t exactly a walk in the park. \u201cI wasn\u2019t nervous about the filming part as I\u2019ve been behind the camera for years, but I definitely didn\u2019t know what to expect.\u201d<\/p>\n He grins, remembering his rookie mistake. \u201cI\u2019d just bought all this fancy new gear and packed way too much of it. That backpack nearly broke me. It was then I learned my golden rule. Don\u2019t pack too much crap. Only the essentials. That first hike taught me that hiking isn\u2019t just physical, it\u2019s mental. You need toughness, not just muscles.\u201d<\/p>\n A typical day on the trail? \u201cIt starts early, usually while it\u2019s still dark. There\u2019s always snoring drama \u2026 Anr\u00e9 and Luan love teasing Wayne and me about it. Then it\u2019s straight to breakfast, coffee first, always. Non-negotiable. Then something like oats.\u201d<\/p>\n Packing up feels like an Olympic event. \u201cLuan is like a machine, he\u2019s ready before anyone else and gets frustrated when we\u2019re slow. Wayne and I, on the other hand, take our time because we\u2019re filming. Once we\u2019re packed, we film a quick chat about the day\u2019s route, distance, elevation, all that and then we start walking.\u201d<\/p>\n The team captures everything from breathtaking views to spontaneous jokes. \u201cAfter lunch, things usually get tougher, both the trail and your mood. But we push through. The best feeling is reaching the hut at the end of the day. There\u2019s this shared sigh of relief, and that\u2019s when you remember why you love it.\u201d<\/p>\n Elrich doesn\u2019t take himself too seriously. \u201cI\u2019m always doing awkward things, cracking jokes, pretending to trip \u2026 until that one time I actually fell and hurt my finger. Lesson learned. Sarcasm and physical comedy are best performed in a safe environment.\u201d<\/p>\n But it\u2019s the companionship that stands out most. \u201cWe\u2019re all very real with each other. There\u2019s no competition, no ego. Sometimes we walk for hours in silence, everyone in their own thoughts. And when the silence gets too long, someone cracks a joke, and the laughter reminds us why we\u2019re there. I honestly miss that.\u201d<\/p>\n There were plenty of unforgettable moments, like standing atop a frozen waterfall on the Tugela Trail. \u201cThat view \u2026 it was surreal. Absolute stillness, ice all around. You just stand there thinking, this is why we do it.\u201d<\/p>\n Of course, not every moment was so serene. \u201cOnce on the Magoebas hike, a boomslang fell out of a tree onto someone\u2019s backpack. Luckily, it got just as much of a fright as we did!\u201d Evenings on the trail bring their own rewards. \u201cMy perfect end-of-day treat? A hot cup of coffee and chocolate-coated Oreos before bed. Pure bliss.\u201d<\/p>\n When he\u2019s not climbing mountains or dodging snakes, Elrich is busy editing a period feature film set in the aftermath of the Anglo-Boer War, which he directed for AfriForumTV and stars Jana Kruger.<\/p>\n As for Nomades, he\u2019s hopeful for a second season. \u201cThere\u2019s still so much to do. I\u2019d love to end it at the true roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, facing my fears and returning to where it all began. Full circle.\u201d<\/p>\n Because if there\u2019s one thing Elrich proves, it\u2019s that a true Nomade doesn\u2019t just walk the talk. He talks the walk, too.<\/p>\n Luan Lauw: The spirit of the trail<\/strong><\/p>\n If adventure had a soundtrack, Luan Lauw would be humming along the whole way. For him, Nomades was never just about trails and cameras. It was about friendships, shared laughter, and experiencing South Africa\u2019s beauty through the eyes of people who love it just as much as he does.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it was a mix of adventure, storytelling, and yes, the call of the wild. But really, what drew me in was hiking with my friends and seeing our beautiful country with these amazing people.\u201d<\/p>\n Luan\u2019s first day on set was calm on the outside, but the trails quickly reminded him that hiking is no joke. \u201cI was actually very relaxed at first, but the first part of the trail in Clarens was tough. I quickly realized I needed to be fitter.\u201d<\/p>\n A typical day on the Nomades trail was a careful balance between adventure and filming. \u201cI wake up and go for a shower if possible, that really wakes me up,\u201d he says with a grin. \u201cThen I pack, reward myself with coffee, and start the hike. We film along the way, stop for interviews or insights for the camera, and continue until the end of the day. Once the last shots are done, it\u2019s dinner and a well-deserved rest.\u201d<\/p>\n And every hiker has that \u201cthis is so me\u201d moment. For Luan, it came in two forms. \u201cI love cooking, and I had the pleasure of cooking for the team on the Leopard Trail in Baviaanskloof. I tried a lighthearted cooking insert, which got cut because I made too many jokes,\u201d he laughs. \u201cAnd then there were the chain ladders on the Drakensberg Amphitheatre hike … those really scared me!\u201d<\/p>\n For him, the best part of hiking together wasn\u2019t the views or the climbs. It was the camaraderie. \u201cWhen the cameras stop rolling and the day\u2019s hike is done, we sit together for dinner. That\u2019s when we\u2019re our real selves. We joke, we share stories. Honestly, there was never a real challenge for me apart from being away from home. But as soon as I\u2019m back, I miss everything!\u201d<\/p>\n The trails themselves also held surprises. \u201cMost of the trails we hiked I hadn\u2019t been on before. They were beautiful and challenging, both mentally and physically. I didn\u2019t expect to fall in love with hiking this much.\u201d<\/p>\n And there were moments that truly took his breath away. \u201cClimbing the chain ladders made my heart race, but the views in the Drakensberg were spectacular. On a personal level, the view from the top of the canyon during the Klipspringer Hike in Augrabies National Park really got me.\u201d<\/p>\n Even the toughest parts of filming became lessons in resilience. \u201cThe chain ladders were the hardest for me because of my fear of heights. I had to focus, step by step. Other hikes, like Elangeni Mountain or the distances on the Leopard and Cape of Good Hope trails, pushed me physically, but we got through it.\u201d<\/p>\n Spending days outdoors with the team offered insights beyond the trail. \u201cI learned that being mentally prepared is just as important as being physically prepared. No hike is as much fun as doing it with friends. The Nomades team had amazing chemistry and shared my love for hiking, it made it even more special.\u201d<\/p>\n Some moments made him pause and appreciate the bigger picture. \u201cOn the Leopard Trail, sitting in basecamp by the fireplace in the icy cold, sharing stories and laughter, I realised this is a privilege. And the scenery? Absolutely breathtaking.\u201d<\/p>\n And when the trail ends, the reward is simple but meaningful. \u201cA quiet moment to breathe and reflect on what we achieved, especially after a challenging hike.\u201d<\/p>\n Hiking can also get interesting \u2026 and a little competitive. \u201cSharing a tent in the Drakensberg during winter was something else. We didn\u2019t sleep that night, and a few people competed in a snoring contest. Mmmm, not mentioning any names \u2026 nudge, nudge, wink, wink.\u201d<\/p>\n For Luan, a true Nomade embraces life off the beaten track. \u201cSomeone who is open to adventure and surprises, willing to be uncomfortable, doesn\u2019t complain, and enjoys the moments, not the luxury.\u201d<\/p>\n Life off the trail keeps him busy and creative. \u201cI still do hikes we don\u2019t film, but apart from that, we\u2019re in post-production on a movie I wrote, and I\u2019m working on a docu-series for next year. I\u2019d love to do more outdoor-themed shows, and I\u2019m a videographer for AfriForum TV.\u201d<\/p>\n For Luan, every trail isn\u2019t just a path to follow \u2026 it\u2019s a story to share, a laugh to have, and a memory to carry long after the boots come off.<\/p>\n Wayne Young … Framing the journey<\/strong><\/p>\n Wayne Young has been chasing trails long before Nomades became a reality. \u201cI started hiking back in 2008,\u201d he recalls. \u201cMy first trail was the Fanie Botha Hiking Trail, and I loved every bit of it. Fast forward to 2021, I had this idea for a hiking show to share my experiences and the incredible views our country has to offer. Then I found out Elrich had the same idea. We combined our thoughts and Nomades was born\u201d.<\/p>\n His first day on set was full of excitement and, admittedly, a little disbelief. \u201cMy first thought was, what are we doing? How are we going to film a story and hike at the same time?\u201d he laughs. \u201cBut after the first episode, I knew we had something special. It was beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n A typical day on the Nomades trail is a mix of effort, awe, and camera work. \u201cElrich and I were usually the first up, bright and early to film the sunrise over the mountains. It was tough, but looking back at what we captured, it was worth every second. As the morning continued, we made breakfast, planned our route, and filmed wherever we could. Packing up, hiking, stopping for breaks, filming the scenery and even the quiet moments \u2014 it\u2019s all part of the rhythm. Hikes have highs and lows, and that\u2019s when a strong mind comes into play. It\u2019s not always easy, but by the end of the day, when the last shot is in the bag, you finally get to relax.\u201d<\/p>\n Wayne has his trademark moments on the trail. \u201cI\u2019m always the guy with sweets, eating non-stop. I\u2019m always ready to film and thinking we need just a bit more footage. That\u2019s definitely me on a hike.\u201d<\/p>\n For him, the greatest part of the adventure isn\u2019t just the landscapes, but the people. \u201cThe fellowship and the bond we formed as a team is incredible. Those memories and experiences are something we\u2019ll always share.\u201d<\/p>\n Some moments were unforgettable for other reasons. \u201cOn top of the Drakensberg, that night was the coldest of my life. The owners told us afterwards it was minus ten degrees. I don\u2019t think any of us slept.\u201d The trails also tested him mentally. \u201cThe Leopard Hiking Trail in Baviaans Kloof was the toughest. You can see the trail stretching over three mountains. I just focused on the job at hand and filming every step got me through it.\u201d<\/p>\n Time outdoors also taught him about resilience and camaraderie. \u201cI learned that when people struggle together, they form strong bonds.\u201d<\/p>\n And when the day ends, Wayne knows exactly what matters. \u201cReaching the top or the end of a trail is about a quiet moment with God, appreciating creation, and then a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. That\u2019s the ultimate reward.\u201d<\/p>\n Off the trail, Wayne channels his energy into another passion project. He\u2019s currently creating an animated children\u2019s show about South African wildlife. \u201cIt\u2019s a one-man project, teaching kids about our wildlife. I love being in the bushveld, hunting, fishing. I\u2019m an outdoors person, but I can also spend hours gaming when I\u2019m not exploring.\u201d<\/p>\n For Wayne, being a Nomade isn\u2019t about the right gear or perfect conditions. \u201cA true Nomade appreciates the challenges of a hike and does it for the love of hiking, no matter what equipment they have. That\u2019s the spirit of the show.\u201d<\/p>\n To watch the full series visit afriforumtv.co.za, download the app on your phone or smart TV via the Google Play Store.<\/p>\n Insider tips from the team<\/strong> Trail hacks:<\/strong> Snacks to power your hike<\/strong> Text: RIALIEN FURSTENBERG. Images: WAYNE YOUNG.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Four friends. Nine hikes across nine provinces. And the wild beauty of South Africa waiting to be discovered. On Nomades for AfriForum TV, they lace up their boots, roll the cameras, and turn every trail into an adventure worth sharing. Anr\u00e9 Bouguenon … The wild at heart When actress and voice artist Anr\u00e9 Bouguenon signed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":121,"featured_media":22390,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[19,40,20],"tags":[2532],"class_list":{"0":"post-22386","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-lifestyle-travel","8":"category-people","9":"category-personalities","10":"tag-get-it-pretoria"},"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/11\/n4-267x400.jpg\")
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\n\u201cThe biggest thing I\u2019ve learned is that hiking is all about mental strength. You can\u2019t quit. Turning back is usually harder than pushing forward. So you just deal with it. You talk yourself through it. And that mindset shifts something deep inside you. Oh, and bugs, spiders and even snakes aren\u2019t so bad anymore. I think I might finally be overcoming my fear of them.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/getitmagazine.co.za\/pretoria\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/26\/2025\/11\/n2-267x400.jpg\")
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\nTop trails worth the hike:<\/strong>
\nThe Leopard Trail<\/strong> Everyone raves about it. Rugged, rewarding, and full of soul-refreshing views. Anr\u00e9 loved the wild proteas and little quotes along the way. Elrich calls the huts \u201cotherworldly,\u201d and Luan notes it\u2019s perfect for a slack pack, relaxing experience.
\nMagoebaskloof Trail<\/strong> Misty forests, mossy trees, and magical vibes. Anr\u00e9 felt like she was walking through a fairytale, Elrich calls it \u201cunforgettable,\u201d and Wayne can\u2019t get enough of the waterfalls and forest atmosphere.
\nKlipspringer Trail<\/strong> Stunning landscapes around every corner. Anr\u00e9 and Elrich both highlighted the breathtaking views and the ever-changing scenery.
\nFish River Canyon<\/strong> Wayne and Luan agree – this one\u2019s a challenge, but every step is worth it. Luan adds it\u2019s one of the toughest and most famous hikes in Namibia.
\nCape Point Hiking Trail<\/strong> Coastal beauty at its best. Wayne loved the ocean backdrop, and Luan enjoyed the trail\u2019s diversity from fynbos to hilltops.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Pack smart. Less is more, according to Elrich and Luan.
\n\u2022 Stay hydrated. A headache in the middle of nowhere is no joke. Wayne adds a water bladder frees your hands and makes hiking way easier.
\n\u2022 Take short rests. Even five minutes can make a huge difference. Anr\u00e9 swears by it.
\n\u2022 Capture the memories. Wayne insists on photos to relive the journey later.
\n\u2022 Enjoy the company. Luan\u2019s golden rule – the hike is best with great friends.<\/p>\n
\n\u2022 Anr\u00e9 – chocolate and biltong sticks.
\n\u2022 Elrich – soft gums.
\n\u2022 Wayne – dro\u00ebwors and fruity liquorice.
\n\u2022 Luan – dro\u00ebwors and caramel-coated nuts.<\/p>\n