Kingsley Holgate
Kingsley Holgate (b. Natal 1946 - February 28) is a modern day African explorer, humanitarian and author. A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society he has been described by Getaway Magazine as "the most travelled man in Africa"[1] and is currently their 'Explorer in Residence' Holgate has also written several books about his expeditions as well as fronting several National Geographic documentaries.
Expeditions
Holgate's expeditions are rarely completed on his own, notably they usually involve him travelling with other members of his family including his wife Gill and son Ross.
- 'Afrika Odyssey': A crossing of Africa from Cape Town to Cairo following the lakes and rivers of the continent in open boats.
- Circumnaviagtion of Lake Turkana.
- First circumnaviagtion of the Makgadigadi Salt Pans in Botswana.
- 'Extreme Latitude': Circumnaviagtion of the globe using various methods of transport following the Tropic of Capricorn.
- 'Livingstone's Last Journey': Following the route of Livingstone's two black porters, Chuma and Susi who carried his body from Lake Bangwelu in Northern Zambia to Bagamoyo near Zanzibar.
- 'Lake of Stars Expedition': following Dr David Livingstone's 1862 expedition up Rovuma river, seperating Mozambique and Tanzania to Lake Malawi or the 'Lake of Stars'.
- Circumnavigation of Lake Victoria in an open boat following in the footsteps of H.M. Stanley and his boat the 'Lady Alice'.
- 'Rufiji Expedition': Tracking the Rufiji River in tribute to explorer Captain Frederick Courtenay Selous.
- 'African Rainbow Expedition': Travelling from Durban in South Africa to the Somalian border and back using Land Rovers and a 35tonne sailing dhow this humanitarian mission distributed tens of thousands of mosquito nets to pregnant mothers and infants in an enormous malaria awareness drive.
- 'The Outside Edge Expedition': Another humanitaian campaign crossing 33 countries promoting malaria awareness as well as the 'Right to Sight' and 'Teaching on the Edge' programmes.
Humanitarian Work
Holgate has founded the 'Kingsley Holgate Foundation' which aims to "save and improve lives through adventure"[2] through "humanitarian expeditions that make a difference"[3]. This has been the focus of his more recent expeditions such as the 'Africa Rainbow Expedition' and 'The Outside Edge Expedition'. This aim has been implemented through programmes such as the 'One Net, One Life' campaign which aims to give out thousands of mosquito nets to help prevent malaria simply and cheaply. The 'Right to Sight' campaign provides glasses to assist the hard of sight, allowing them to resume simple tasks such as sewing,reading and beadwork to help them contribute to their community. The third campaign 'Teaching on the Edge', a scheme supported by Centurus Colleges and Rotary International, aims to provide teaching resources and mobile libraries to remote communities to provide education and improve literacy.
Books by Kingsley Holgate
- Cape to Cairo: A Family Expedition Along the Waterways of Africa
- Africa: In the Footsteps of the Great Explorers
- Capricorn: Following the Invisible Line