In the footsteps of explorers

It is up to a handful of exploration geologists and entrepreneurs to find what the world needs.

By Leon Louw founder of WhyAfrica and Endorphin Expeditions     

Exploration is the focus of the 2026 WhyAfrica RES Road Trip through Botswana and Namibia. The trip starts in Johannesburg, South Africa today.

Africa’s critical minerals, REEs, rich copper/cobalt endowment and world class geology are discussed profusely on all platforms available to the public. However, very few people ever get out into the field to go and find those much talked about treasures.

The reason? Well, it’s not easy and it is up to a handful of exploration geologists and brave entrepreneurs to find what the world needs. Although the life of an exploration geologists has changed significantly over the years, getting your boots dirty in the field remains an important part of the job.

Trailblazing on the frontier

Nicky Oppenheimer reminds us of the importance of trailblazing explorers in the introduction of the timeless book “Prospecting in Africa” published by De Beers way back in 2011.

He writes: “While modern exploration relies heavily on remote technology, life in those early, groundbreaking days revolved around having one’s eyes and ears on the ground for success. Communication with the outside world was difficult and infrequent. Food and provisions not easy to obtain. Equipment had to maintained with basic means. Reports and maps had to be hand-written and hand drawn. It required a different kind of beast to what I had previously encountered. That is the frontier man, resilient, filled with a hunger for discovery and perhaps that slightly bit mad!

Field work has remained the same

According to Brett van Coller, Managing Director at Remote Exploration Services (RES) fieldwork has changed a lot.  But he says that in many respects the work is unchanged.

“Our clients trust us to apply technical rigour at every stage and to be good stewards of their data, time and resources. We back this technical competence with energetic fieldwork and a commitment to accurate results. Doing that safely and with a positive impact in some of Africa’s most challenging and remote locations is sacrosanct,” he says.

Read the full interview with Brett in the latest issue of the WhyAfrica Road Trip magazine:   https://www.whyafrica.co.za/magazines/issue-21

Follow the 2026 WhyAfrica RES Road Trip through Africa

Follow WhyAfrica on the 2026 WhyAfrica RES Road Trip as we track not only the big footprints left by those early pioneers, but also as we follow in the new footsteps made in the Kalahari sand by modern day explorers and frontier men and women.

Remember, WhyAfrica members will be able to follow the 2026 WhyAfrica RES Road Trip remotely and get daily updates, videos and photos on the WhyAfrica WhatsApp channel.

To become a WhyAfrica member sign up on the WhyAfrica website or contact me directly.

Image: In the field. Credit: RES

In the footsteps of explorers