Longing to experience the real, authentic Mama Africa in all her grit and glory? Love a good road trip? What about great banter around a campfire, sipping a gin and tonic, pausing every now and then to listen to the soundscape that only a night under the African sky can bring? How about magical sunrises and sunsets? Or an impromptu coffee stop in the middle of somewhere intrepid? Want your African experience to include some boots on the ground time for wildlife conservation and community empowerment?
Then you need to meet my gorgeous friend, Carla Geyser. Her Journeys with Purpose are all of the above and then some!
I first came across Carla’s story in 2016 when she embarked on her epic Elephant Ignite Expedition – travelling 16 000km across 10 countries. Carla and her team visited 37 conservation organisations, engaging with communities along the way and distributing 20 000 educational booklets. The idea for this expedition was sparked by the plight of elephants across Africa – their plummeting numbers due to poaching and human wildlife conflict.
Then in 2018 I followed Carla’s next adventure, The Rise of the Matriarch, on social media. This time an international all women crew set out with Carla for a 50 day, 11 000km journey through 4 countries. This expedition raised global awareness for the plight of African wildlife, raising funds for conservation groups and empowering local youth, especially girls.
I still have the diary from that time and scribbled in a margin is “Blue Sky Society Trust – next time”.
In May of this year I got to meet Carla in person. She picked me to be part of her crew for a 2019 Journey with Purpose. I have recorded this incredible adventure in previous posts:
Carla is a great expedition leader – the perfect blend of happy-go-lucky and down to earth pragmatism. She knows Africa well and understands how to travel wisely. Able to go with the flow while at the same time being uber prepared for every eventuality – a real skill in this environment!
I love Carla’s attitude to life which is incorporated into the name of her not-for-profit – The Blue Sky Society. Read here how the name came about. She is a kindred spirit… we share a passion for Mama Africa, our birthplace. Yet Carla’s personality is such that anyone from anywhere could not help but enjoy her company and be swept away in her enthusiasm for life and her work.
I consider it one of the greatest experiences of my life, that May Journey with Purpose. I also consider it an honour and privilege to have shared the road with Carla Geyser and her fabulous landy, Dora. And I cannot wait to go again and be a part of another Blue Sky Society Journey with Purpose!
Carla is an ordinary woman just like me. But her big dreams, her belief in the infinite possibilities of life and her “just do it” attitude make her voice extraordinary….
Four incredible Journeys with Purpose are planned for 2020 (click on the links to find out more):
Go! Travel with Carla. Let Mama Africa embrace you. Wander the road less travelled. It will change your life.
