Our firsthand experience of working with underprivileged communities has done away with any illusions we may have started out with. And yet, we have emerged more hopeful for the future. Where obstacles stand in the way of meaningful change, we see opportunities for creativity and growth. Where resources are scant, we see potential to use what is right here at hand.
Our Vision
What’s in the name?
‘EXPEDITION’ – journey by a team on a mission of purpose.
‘project’ – implying sustainability, an ongoing endeavour rather than a once off feel-good campaign.
You could say we know a thing or two about being on the road.
Since 2011 we have travelled 36535km (22701miles) by road across South Africa, visited 353 towns & 155 projects, connected with 4,012 people, been supported by 405 hospitality partners and local businesses and we have planted an average of 1 tree per expedition day. The goal is to meet and understand the challenges communities face. We then connect projects, communities, ideas and individuals with each other, share their successes and help take them one step further with contacts, expertise and funding.
The challenge
“After 8 months of research in 2011, the first expedition was set for 1 January 2012. This 250 day trip laid the foundations for some of the primary towns and projects we would connect with each year. In 2013, we ventured further, scoping out more towns and projects in previously unchartered expedition territory. The years following would see shorter trips re-visit as many of those towns and projects as possible.
In 2012, we had the privilege of meeting Sarah Bergs, who’s NPO “Nourish”, is based in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Nourish helps within rural communities to uplift people while promoting social responsibility and environmental education. She struck me as the perfect kind of person for what she does: she has a wonderful attitude, bags of charisma and heaps of business savvy. She has overcome enormous obstacles since we first met, now her biggest problem is rapid growth!
Making connections is one of Sarah’s greatest talents. It has enabled her to forge the new ties (with local tribe chiefs, community members and projects) that are expanding Nourish. She kept in touch with us throughout and it has been so encouraging and inspiring to follow her progress.Recently, The EXPEDITION Project had the wonderful privilege of facilitating a more in-depth partnership with Nourish, hence enabling the implementation of a series of two-week trips. We sampled with the shorter format of our trips in 2014 and 2015 but without Sarah’s energy The EXPEDITION Project 2017 (and now 2018) would not be possible.”
Roger Wynne-Dyke,
Founder, The EXPEDITION Project
“The Expedition Project is important because it’s a chance for us all, as travellers, to SEE—really see… the awesome vibrant country that South Africa is, as well as assisting in charity projects that are helping SA at this vital time in its development, dealing with very real conservation and community issues.”
Sarah Dawn Bergs,
Founder of Nourish & The EXPEDITION Project Partner
Enter the The EXPEDITION Project 2018, which includes you, and maps out the best bits of the trip, scenery, projects and adventures into a one to four week roadtrip. These trips involve driving from the bottom to the top (or vice versa) of South Africa – visiting charity checkpoints along the way, getting involved hands on in some of SA’s most special grassroots community/conservation projects, and at the same time taking in a huge amount of what makes SA so epic – landscapes, mountains, rivers, and historic points! Over 8000km of driving in four weeks, with activities and charity days packed in!
Objectives
- Combat Unemployment & Urbanisation
Through our research in 2012 it is clear that migration to the larger centres is a focus for the youth and unemployed. TEP encourages sustainable development in the smaller towns and areas to avoid overpopulation of the cities. Business ideas in small towns to benefit the communities themselves. - Replicate Successes
Develop templates that can replicate successes elsewhere. Through the network we create we can communicate and open up the channels for towns and entrepreneurs and projects to communicate and collaborate. - Encourage Sustainable Charity
New age charities need revenue streams to remain sustainable rather than reliance on sponsorships and donations. The ideas are theirs – The EXPEDITION Project helps them to make the right connections. - Boost Destination Marketing for South Africa
Showcase what SA has to offer and spread the success stories. - Successful Volunteer Tourism
Give the traveller a rounded experience that they will want to repeat and spread the word. - Expand the Reach of CSR Initiatives
The EXPEDITION Project connects people, projects and organisations from coast to coast and expands horizons. - Give CSR more value for money
- Create & Share Information Resources
www.theexpeditionproject.com will become an online resource of information about South Africa in a format similar to Wikipedia. - Media Exposure
Spread the stories via all media including television (documentaries and reality shows) and print media (photographic journals and story books).
Read our 2012 report here
Sustainability
As a social enterprise we are unique in our community partnerships and project spending. Our expeditions have a responsible travel ethos and include charity donations and several forms of community support, carbon offset via tree plantings and local business partnerships. Where your money goes is very important to us:
19% 
9% 
16% 31%
19% 6%
Accommodation 19% | Food 9% | Project donations 16% | Project leaders 31% | Transport 19% | Tree planting 6%
Journey to drive change