Trent Seiler (25), who was born and raised in Springs, recently acquired his masters degree in archaeology and, together with Tom da Silva (22), Istene Rosseau (25) and Mike Watson (26), will heading through remote, less-travelled areas in Africa on a year-long trip on motorcycles.
The diverse team seems to have all the necessary skills, ranging from a pilot and chef (Istene) to fitter and turner and mechanic (Mike) to photographer, game ranger and traveller (Tom), who is an Australian and to archaeologist (Trent).
“Riding three Kawasaki KLR 650s and a Yamaha XT 250, we will be discovering archaeological sites, cultural culinary secrets and local traditions, while reaching out to and educating local communities, focusing on pressures on heritage preservation and human encroachment on the environment,” says Trent.
“We will be travelling through South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and then back down – taking a ship over to Madagascar on our way back home.”
The band of four, which call themselves the Nitty Gritty Nomads, will not only be travelling the continent and gaining knowledge and new insights into different cultures, but will also teach the youth about the importance of their wildlife and heritage as well as about the current rate of poaching and the impact it is having on larger mammal species such as the rhinos.
• Read: Exploring Africa for one year
“We also want to explain the impact of human overpopulation and reliance on natural resources while suggesting alternatives, while explaining concepts such as renewable energy, global warming and animal extinction,” says Trent.
According to Trent, one of their goals is to educate as many people as they can along the way, find the most beautiful locations, best people, most delicious cuisine and greatest fishing spots.
• Also read: #Africaday: Timbuktu – Real Renaissance in Africa
Follow the adventurous four and read more about the individuals of The Nitty Gritty Nomads on their website and social media pages and follow their journey through Africa.