Ukuwela: Crossing Southern Africa on a Brompton G Line

Earlier this year, Andy Donohoe, editor of Rolling Magazine, joined a group of riders for a journey across Southern Africa. On a folding bike.  

Four countries. 26 days. 3,200 km. Venturing along desert roads, gravel tracks, mountain passes and changing landscapes. We always said the G Line goes as far as you go. Andy showed us it really does. 

But this ride was about more than distance. Along the way, Andy followed paths and routes, ancient and new, shared by people and wildlife. The journey took him to land protected by the World Land Trust, where work is helping reconnect habitats and create routes for wildlife to move and thrive. 

Ukuwela follows the journey from west to east, and what it reveals about movement, connection and the paths we share.

The journey will help protect a vital wildlife corridor on South Africa’s Elephant Coast. Funds raised for World Land Trust, working with local partner Wild Tomorrow, will support the purchase of 66.3 hectares of the Mfomothi property – closing a critical gap between Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland Park and reconnecting habitats across the wider landscape.

Securing the land will protect critically endangered dry sand forest, freshwater wetlands and grasslands from conversion to commercial agriculture or non-native timber plantations. Once acquired, it will become part of Greater Ukuwela Nature Reserve and receive long-term protection through South Africa’s Biodiversity Stewardship Programme, safeguarding habitat for species including savannah elephant, black rhino, African lion, African wild dog, leopard and suni antelope.