What started as a crazy idea to circumnavigate the entire South Africa solo on a motorcycle, has become a reality for Johannesburg-born Kyle Malyon. Kyle is taking on a 21-day Mammoth Ride,raising awareness and funds for the Herd Trust and their work with elephants.

Kyle started his journey on 17 March and will be in Parys on 6 April before returning home to Johannesburg. His trip takes him
on the closest tar roads to the land and sea borders, including the two central provinces, covering all nine provinces.

Departing from Lephalale, he passed through Musina, Hoedspruit, White River,Pongola, Salt Rock, Port Edward and Port St
Johns last week.

This week, Kyle will be in East London, Jeffreys Bay, Mossel Bay, Cape Agulhas and Hout Bay, ending up in Langebaan,
Springbok, Augrabies and Askham over the Easter weekend.

The last stretch of the route will take him to Kuruman, Swartruggens and Parys.
“

When I first thought about doing this, I had no idea how much hard work and fun would go into everything to complete this
epic challenge. More importantly, it is to raise funds and awareness for the Herd Trust and the elephants they look after,” says
Kyle.

Herd (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) Trust launched in 2021, following a 24-year journey in caring for
elephants displaced or orphaned due to human-elephant conflict. Herd Orphanage opened in 2019 in response to a growing number of young orphaned elephant calves that needed a place of rehabilitation and, importantly, an existing herd that would accept them
unconditionally.

The Jabulani herd is now a family of 16 elephants – 11 orphans and five born to the herd over 10 years ago. In 2004, the lodge,
Jabulani, was built to sustain the herd, with proceeds from tourism assisting in caring for and managing the rescued herd.

In 2021, a decision was made to move the Jabulani herd and Herd Homestead operations, together with the Herd Orphanage, under the umbrella of the Herd Trust, a registered PBO. That allows for public funding to ensure the well-being of all the elephants.

About Kyle:
Kyle Malyon has always had a passion for travelling and has visited many parts of our beautiful country during his lifetime.

After founding Fiery Octopus, a social motorcycle enthusiasts group, and having done numerous motorcycle tours, he decided this was the way to go.

“Having a lifelong love for elephants, taking on an epic adventure like this would only be fitting if I could do it for the elephants,” he says.

Besides riding motorcycles and organising various events, Kyle is an avid reader who completed 74 books in 2023.

He works as a relationships manager for a law firm.

Readers can keep abreast of Kyle’s trip by following @themammothride and @fiery_octopus on Instagram. The public
can make donations to raise funds and awareness for Herd Trust via The Mammoth Ride page on Quicket. You can also read
more about Herd Trust at www.herd.org.za