KINGSLEY HOLGATE FOUNDATION
Since the partnership began in 2000, Defender has been at the heart of every Kingsley Holgate Foundation expedition, enabling the team to traverse some of the most remote and challenging terrain on the African continent. From the blistering deserts in the north and the flood-prone equatorial rainforests of Central Africa, down to the southern-most tip of the continent where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, the Foundation has relied on Defender’s proven reliability and capability to distribute critical humanitarian support far beyond conventional reach.
To date the Kingsley Holgate Foundation has distributed over 473 300 long lasting insecticide treated mosquito nets, keeping over 1,4 million mothers and children safe against malaria. The team has also distributed ‘Rite to Sight’ reading glasses to the elderly poor sighted across the continent and inspired countless youths through the Wildlife Art campaign.
To commemorate this storied partnership, the Kingsley Holgate Foundation is embarking on its latest adventure in January 2026, dubbed the Defender Africa Traverse.
Paying homage to the Foundation’s famous Capricorn Expedition, which was chronicled in a book and seven-part National Geographic series, the Defender Africa Traverse will see the team travel west to east across Southern Africa. Using two expedition-equipped Defender 130 Outbounds, this purpose-driven journey will travel from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
MALARIA PREVENTION
True to purpose, the Defender Africa Traverse expedition will once again place a strong focus on malaria prevention in the high-risk regions along the Limpopo River, including the Gaza and Inhambane provinces in Mozambique. Pregnant mothers and young children will receive high-quality, long-lasting mosquito nets, along with essential malaria prevention education, continuing a life-saving initiative that has already reached nearly a million and a half people.
Kingsley Holgate
You have probably seen him on the National Geographic Channel or read his books. He is considered one of Africa’s most colourful modern day explorers: Kingsley Holgate is an adventurer, author, TV personality, fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and Land Rover fan extraordinaire.
“The partnership with Defender has been more than just a journey across Africa — it’s been a journey of purpose. For 25 years, these vehicles have been our trusted companions as we’ve crossed every country on the continent, reaching communities in some of the most inaccessible places imaginable. Together with the brand, we’ve proven that adventure can truly change lives.” Renowned explorer and humanitarian Kingsley Holgate
“There is a magic moment when you give someone back their gift of sight, watching their world literally get back into focus, their face light up and the expression in their eyes as they see clearly for the first time in years. You can immediately tell that a life has been changed. On the other hand, knowing that every single minute of every day somewhere in Africa a child dies from malaria, the need to intensify the distribution of life-saving mosquito nets is magnified. That’s why we are grateful to Defender for enabling us to continue to do the work that we do.” Ross Holgate, Expedition Leader at the Kingsley Holgate Foundation