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ZigZag Tours is a small, passionate, owner-operated adventure tour company built for travellers who want to really see New Zealand — not just the highlights reel. We're Jemma and Grant, and we built this from scratch because we knew there was a better way to explore Aotearoa.
We met in the middle of a trans-African overland trip — Jemma was the guide, Grant was the passenger, and somewhere between Kenya and South Africa, a partnership was formed. Between us, we've lived and worked across multiple continents, guided groups through some of the world's most remote landscapes, and racked up more kilometres on the road than we can count.
When a global pandemic brought us both to New Zealand, we did what any adventure-obsessed couple would do — we explored every corner of it. And it didn't take long to realise that most tour companies were only scratching the surface. The hidden valleys, the off-road tracks, the viewpoints with no tour buses in sight — those were the moments we wanted to share.
So ZigZag was born. Small groups, genuine guides, and a whole lot of road.
Born in England with wanderlust written into her DNA, Jemma has been collecting passport stamps since she left school. Air hostess in Europe. Backpacker around the world. Divemaster and underwater videographer in Thailand. Holiday rep in Mexico, Spain and Lapland. And ultimately, overland guide through 12 countries across Africa — including a summit of Kilimanjaro along the way.
She arrived in New Zealand with fresh eyes and a genuine love for what this country has to offer. Living here permanently since 2020, Jemma is endlessly excited to share the beauty, diversity and warmth of the place she now calls home.
Grant is a born-and-bred Kiwi who caught the travel bug young and never quite recovered. His adventures have taken him through Europe, the UK, South-east and Central Asia, Mongolia and Africa — including a memorable 8-month trans-African overland odyssey. A background in travel sales and marketing means he's spent years helping other people plan incredible journeys, and now he gets to lead them.
Coming home to New Zealand in 2020 gave Grant a whole new appreciation for his own backyard. He's proud, passionate and genuinely delighted to introduce the history, culture and landscape of Aotearoa to visitors from around the world.
We cap every tour at ten passengers. That's it. Small enough to feel like you're travelling with friends, big enough to share the experience. Ten is the magic number — "tekau" in Māori — and we're sticking with it.
That's nearly 13 weeks of Aotearoa. No rushed highlight hops. No three-hour drive days just to tick a box. You'll have time to linger, to wander, to genuinely fall in love with this place.
We travel in a 2023 AWD Mercedes Sprinter — fully customised with individual leather seats, overhead storage, personal USB charging, air-conditioning and a shared drinks cooler. Attached is our purpose-built trailer with a full gas kitchen and storage for all your gear. We've thought of everything, down to the towel hooks at the back of the van.
Every passenger gets their own OzTent — spacious, easy to pitch, and genuinely comfortable. No sharing, even for solo travellers. Your own tent, your own oversized stretcher bed, your own camping chair. Most campsites also offer cabin or chalet upgrades if you want a night with a roof on.
And yes, we are also your drivers, guides, cooks, shoppers, weather forecasters, storytellers, cultural interpreters, first aiders and general fixers of all things. We show up for every single tour, every single day. That's the ZigZag difference.
We cap every tour at ten passengers. That's it. Small enough to feel like you're travelling with friends, big enough to share the experience. Ten is the magic number ("tekau" in Māori) and we're sticking with it.
That's nearly 13 weeks of Aotearoa. No rushed highlight hops. No really long drive days just to tick a box. You'll have time to linger, to wander, to genuinely fall in love with this place.
We travel in a 2023 AWD Mercedes Sprinter. Fully customised with individual leather seats, overhead storage, personal USB charging, air-conditioning and a shared drinks cooler.
Every passenger gets their own OzTent. Spacious, easy to pitch, and genuinely comfortable. No sharing, even for solo travellers. Your own tent, your own oversized stretcher bed, your own camping chair.
We run fourteen individual tours each year, each one designed to take you well beyond the standard tourist trail. We love the hidden gems, the places you'd never find on your own, the backcountry roads that feel like a secret, the campsites where the only crowd is the stars overhead.
Stay for one leg or the whole trip. Join in on group hikes, take a cycle, or spend the afternoon relaxing — you set your pace.
Every tour is run by founders Jemma and Grant. They know the routes, the best hidden spots, and how to make each day feel easy and memorable.
Transport, accommodation, meals, and gear are organised. You can focus on enjoying the scenery and experiences, not logistics.
ZigZag tours are about people. Solo, couple, or group — you’ll find a welcoming crew. We meet as strangers and leave as friends, with memories that last.
We know that booking an adventure like this is a big decision — and we want you to feel 100% confident before you do. Whether you've got a list of questions or you just want to get a feel for what a ZigZag tour is actually like, we'd love to chat.
*Discount applies only to selected tours and cannot be combined with other discount codes.
We’re proud to be part of JourneyWoman’s Partner Program, which tells women that our services are women-friendly. JourneyWoman™ is the most beloved and respected women’s travel brand in the world, helping women travel safely and well for 30 years. Please review your experience with us on the JourneyWoman Woman’s Travel Directory.
