Anton (4x4 Out Far)

Where are you from?

South Africa (living in Cape Town)

When did you start your interest in exploration?

From as far back as I can remember.

What is a brief understanding of your background story up until you started seeking adventure?

I was a rescuer for the NSRI (like the RNLI) but left that. I then started Overlanding and being outdoors with my daughter and felt I could do better for out-of-reach rural communities, so through a number of events I started doing what I'm doing now.

What special skills do you have to help with your explorations?

General logistics, people skills and knowledge of Africa regions, is my skill.

Where have you explored so far?

I've been to about 60% of Africa (not all driven), parts of Europe, hitch hiked America, Canada, UK, Mauritius

What is a brief understanding of your adventures so far?

I do Humanitarian work, helping school children in rural Africa with eye glasses.

What are the top three destinations you hope to explore next, and why?

Angola, DRC and Libya. These are very untapped regions and most people are scared because of social media. I think it's safe enough (within reason) if planned correctly.

Where would you recommend others visit?

Every country has something special to it. There isn't one that fits all. Rwanda is amazing, but so is Kenya.

How do you primarily travel on your adventures today?

I have a Defender Puma 110 model. I have plenty of mods that are not overkill, but help ease of use while in different places all the time. The Ikamper being one, lights under the carriage and the dual fridge system I designed, come to mind now.

What are five pieces of equipment that you always travel with?

Garmin inreach mini, tea, quality tires, Ikamper and Leatherman raptors.

What inspires you to explore more?

After the work I do, I can't view just being on social media seriously. I look at these big social media accounts which keep themselves busy with pleasing looking videos and pics, and think what a waste. Getting to these regions and meeting people off the tracks makes me realize they're happy, but could need a little help and that makes me want to do it more and explore places no one really goes to.

These regions bring absolute joy. I get to do more than just overlanding and seeing the emotions on faces and changes to lives makes a huge difference.

How do you engage with others?

With open arms.

Why is it important to embrace global cultures?

Every region and culture differs (even in the same country). I always stand back and do things slowly to see the process and understand boundaries without being invasive. There is no right or wrong culture (within reason of course). What we do at home differs to people with different opportunities and that doesn't mean it's bad. Western culture generally depicts right and wrong - I completely disagree with that. "Smile when you get a gift" for example. I can tell you the majority of these kids get glasses with zero emotion on their faces. It's not normal for such things to happen to them so they think it's not serious.

What are your goals when you explore?

Enjoy it, slow down and don't stop moving.

What are some challenges you have experienced?

Kids throwing stones at my car because we didn't give them sweets. 1000 buffalo walking through our campsite followed by elephants and lions (at night) to name two.

I do have many experiences, every time I look at a pic of a last project it brings back the area, how we got there and what happened. It's great!

What has been your most meaningful moment so far?

Wow, can't answer that - too many. Every day has something, hahaha. But I'll tell you waking in the morning, making tea and thinking what's lying ahead for the day and what experience will come up.

Helping kids with Autism, Albino and other disabilities would stand out. But are they disabilities if you think about it.

How has exploration changed you?

I can't take these big social media accounts that show amazing drone shots and brands that portray amazingness. I use my vehicle as a tool - if it looks cool then fine, but it's a working tool.

It's completely settled me, from the drive to constantly go fast. Think broad and ahead.

How many fashion t-shirts one can own, isn't important and that it doesn't matter what others think.

What is the number one lesson that you have learnt through your exploration?

Less is more.

How do you explore locally?

Head out to different places as often as possible. take OLLI (my defender) and look for things people don't see every day.

What does the explmore mantra mean to you?

It's important. Most people go to a place and take a pic, how often do you sit and watch for half a day in the same place? There are amazing cultures out there, and you don't see them when rushing to buy a souvenir.

What advice would you give to others who are seeking life changing adventure?

Stop talking about it, put it on paper - it doesn't exist till you've written it down - then it becomes something solid.

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