Kyle Malyon and Lauren Lewis will travel from Johannesburg to Kapama Reserve on August 12 to raise funds for orphaned elephants.

Malyon completed a solo circumnavigation of South Africa in 2024.

This was done to raise awareness and funds for Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development (HERD), an elephant orphanage in Kapama. Skip forward to this year, and he is planning another trip for the same cause.

This time, he will have Lauren Lewis along for the ride. August 12 is World Elephant Day and they intend to travel from Johannesburg to Jabulani, the home of HERD, in the Kapama Reserve using various means of transport.

On arrival, they will hand over a cheque to the HERD Trust towards the care of orphaned elephants.

Through various events, they have already raised some funds, but elephants are big eaters, so every bit extra that can be added to the pot will go a long way.

The trip will take them from Northriding to Fourways, Sandton, Centurion, past Bronkhorstspruit on the N4, Dullstroom, Sabie, White River and Hazyview, finishing at Kapama Game Reserve just outside Hoedspruit.

‘By Any Means’ adventure

“After completing the trip (‘The Mammoth Ride’) I did in 2024, I was sure I would do something again for the same cause. A number of those who had supported me then kept on asking when I would be doing another ride. Between April 2024 and now, we kept up with the fundraiser events, but I knew something bigger needed to happen – it was just a matter of what!

“I have read all the books by Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor of the various trips they have done, such as The Long Way Down and The Long Way Around, which gave me the idea of doing a ‘By Any Means’ trip.”

This goes back to 2023, when Malyon was reading There is an Elephant in my Kitchen while considering how to do a circumnavigation trip of South Africa.

“As a big elephant fan, I went in search of elephant charities and found HERD. I like what they do and it is a local (South African) organisation,” he explained.

Home to 15 elephants, HERD was founded in 2019 as South Africa’s first dedicated elephant orphanage.

It was born from necessity; a growing number of calves were left orphaned and vulnerable, in urgent need of specialised care and, most importantly, a herd that would welcome them as family.

That family is the Jabulani herd. Currently, 15 elephants call it home.

Eleven of them are orphans who were rescued, nurtured, and given a second chance at life. Four were born into the herd over the past decade, proof of the strong bonds and generational continuity this unique family has created.

Behind every calf’s recovery is a team of dedicated carers, the ‘human herd’.

These men and women work tirelessly, day and night, to give each elephant the nurturing, companionship, and protection they need. Their loyalty and expertise form the backbone of HERD’s mission.

They don’t just raise elephants; they raise hope. The main aim, as opposed to just sending a message, is to raise awareness and funds for the HERD Trust to support them.

“It’s quite simple, actually,” said Malyon.

“You can’t create awareness by doing something anyone can do. By taking the trip this way it will create a lasting awareness that will be showcased in the press and on social media, while bringing awareness of those who helped and showing off our beautiful country.”

Vintage cars, trains and a skateboard

Various modes of transport will be used, such as a skateboard, the Gautrain bus and train, a 1948 Ford F100 sponsored by Graham de Wavrin, a 1981 MGB Roadster sponsored by Iain Jackson, a 1957 Bentley S1 sponsored by KC Saayman of KCS OOH, a Triumph Bonneville arranged by Bruce Allen of Triumph Motorcycles SA, and a BMW F800GS arranged by Dominic Combrick of BMW Mbombela.

They are still finalising the last leg or two getting from White River to Kapama.

Malyon thanked Father Mark Spratt of St George’s Anglican Church in White River and his wife, Rowena, for assisting them in getting home after the trip.

The duo will kick off from Doppio Zero Bel Air Mall in Northriding at around 07:30 on August 12.

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On Waze or Google Maps via road, the trip is about 600km.

Aiming to raise R25 000 more

From various events, they have already raised close to R20 000 and would like to add another R25 000 to that.

The BackaBuddy campaign is slowly gaining traction.

“A big thank you to those who have already donated, including Faf de Klerk,” Malyon said.

Members of the public can donate directly to HERD or adopt one of their elephants via their website.

Anyone with an interesting or unique vehicle who can assist with transport from White River to Kapama is encouraged to assist, or come out on the day to show support. Updates, pictures, and videos will be posted on their Instagram page: @joburgtojabulanibyanymeans.

When putting together plans for the trip, a date was needed, and World Elephant Day provided the ideal fit. Threats facing elephants include poaching for ivory, habitat loss, and human-elephant conflict.

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Elephants are similar to humans in needing a supportive circle, and young calves may not survive if they lose theirs.

This is where HERD steps in to give them a second chance with a new family.

Anyone with an interesting vehicle who would like to assist with transport on the day can contact Malyon on 082 447 5661