It’s ALL SYSTEMS GO! Yup, we’ve finally received the necessary permissions for our 2020 BEYOND EXPEDITIONS Series, and we’re gearing up for another incredible adventure driven by the incredible Isuzu South Africa, and supported by Dunlop Tyres SA, Front Runner South Africa, Outdoor Warehouse and SPOT Africa 🙏 
We originally had BEYOND BICORNIS scheduled for September this year, but had to shelve this 4-country journey (focusing on Rhino Conservation in southern Africa) due to COVID-19 and the ban on cross-border travel. We also felt we needed to focus on the devastating effects the lockdown had wreaked on the lives of ordinary South Africans and, in the process, devise ways of assisting some of the many communities in dire need out there.
This series of adventures into the most remote corners of Africa has consistently showcased the many incredible landscapes, cultures and experiences offered by our continent, but this time we need to hold out a helping hand … We therefore completely re-imagined our 2020 plans by changing the name to ‘BEYOND LOCKDOWN’, as we truly believe there will be an eventual end to all the mental dissonance and financial hardship.
The economic sectors suffering most under the yoke of lockdown are the Hospitality and Tourism Industry, with especially local tourism buckling under the strain of nearly four months of not being able to operate. Something needs to be done to help these small operators, especially those in the rural areas who have seen a 100% drop in income. We will therefore use BEYOND LOCKDOWN to travel to nine inspirational and off-the-grid destinations – one in each of SA’s nine provinces – and from our visit create engaging stories to draw people to these places.
Our focus will capture everything from Road Tripping, Conservation and Adventure, to the unique Characters found within these Moer-And-Gone places. We believe the way to regenerate jobs and opportunities will be through creating crackerjack media exposure for these off-the-beaten-track destinations. Along the way, we will engage with colourful local characters to assist in creating unique content, and thus convince the general public to pack their vehicles and visit them as soon as travel restrictions are lifted.
Spending your Rands in South Africa is what will make a difference to these communities, and we want people to know that you can have world-class, unique and globally relevant travel experiences right here in Mzansi! Our expeditions always include some inspirational feats of human endurance, and this time around we want to take these adventures and weave them into the local folklore … maybe it will be an endurance swim in an icy lake, or a dark-zone graffiti ride, or a spiritual trail run in an ancient forest …
As part of the process, we plan to create a full quiver of visual collateral – including professional Stills, 360 Degree Imagery, Aerial Footage and broadcast-quality Video – for each of these destinations in order to help market themselves. There will be no cost from our side – except hosting and feeding (and beer, of course!) – and we envisage massive exposure across Print, Social and Electronic Media.
The planned TIMELINE sees us departing from Cape Town for the #NamaquaWestCoast on 4th of AUGUST, before meandering via the Kalahari, Gariep Dam, Groot Marico, Jozi, Magoebaskloof, Mount Anderson, iSimangaliso and finally the Wild Coast. You will be able to follow our route #LIVE courtesy of our #SpotAfrica trackers) as well as on our various #SocialMedia Platforms. So lekker to have Peter Van Kets, Peter Kirk and Zane Schmahl as part of the #BeyondExpeditions Team!
Hopefully you guys will be able to virtually join in on our adventure as we journey through the #RainbowNation! And feel free to shout if you’d like to suggest any deserving COMMUNITY TOURISM PROJECTS to visit along the way