For many women, travelling through Africa is not a possibility, but for 14 ambitious women this dream is becoming a reality with the help of Mitsubishi. The all-women Mitsubishi Africa Adventure Cape to Cape team will kick off their journey on 2 March 2009 — five vehicles, approximately 28 countries, plus minus 40 000km and 100 percent women!

Starting from Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, the Cape to Cape team will traverse the African Continent through Europe to its northernmost tip — the Nordkap in Norway.

The expedition is the brainchild of two of the 14 ladies — Enya Fehler (45), and Andrea Doerfert (45), who want to promote tourism and development on the continent. German nationals now living in South Africa, Enya and Andrea run a tourism company called Africa Adventure, and are passionate about branding SA as a top travel and adventure destination.

Adventure of a lifetime

For all 14 women though, this eight-month journey is an adventure of a lifetime. The team is not only from a diverse background but also differ dramatically in age from 23 to 49.

The gruelling selection process separated the tough 12 from the rest of the international finalists. After almost two weeks of hiking, camping, abseiling, rock-climbing, off-road driving and bungee jumping, the women were voted off 'Survivor' style.

Ingrid Bohme who loves the outdoors, hiking and animals, and who is taking 10 months leave from her sales position to fulfill her desire to see Africa, says about the selection process: "It was really a great way to get to know everyone and see how people interacted together, and the organisers I think have done a great job selecting the different travelling teams based on personalities, strengths and so on…"

The final team which includes seven South Africans, are: Sibongile Mpakanyiswa, Monica Villalobos, Tanya Weyers, Julie Farrington, Monique Hansen, Alicia Proud, Petra Schueller, Tanya Tiefenthaler, Ingrid Bohme, Jahna Boshoff, Marion Le Roux and Bridgette Johnson. They will be joined by expedition organisers Enya Fehler and Andrea Doerfert.

Tourism, jobs, empowerment

After travelling through some 14 or so African countries, starting in South Africa and ending in Tunisia, they will publicise their experiences in a four-month tour of major European cities. And after the expedition, all profits will go to training young people working in the tourist industry.

Team member Sibongile Mpakanyiswa (30) who has established herself as a successful investment banker, working in London and New York, jumped at this chance to promote Africa.

"Tourism can be a key to Africa's social and economic development. But for ordinary Africans to benefit fully, education and training is essential," says Sibongile.

Ingrid says that this is a wonderful opportunity not only for the women, but for the African continent and tourism in general.

"Everyone has the group objective in mind, creating awareness about places in Africa, tourism and economic upliftment of local communities. For me it's also really important that we empower the locals, as this will also have a positive impact on the region's environment and wildlife."

Hungry for adventure

The Cape to Cape team also wants to promote Africa to adventure-hungry tourists. And in the quest to do so, the expedition team will be going off the beaten track to really experience Africa. Although the team are visiting some traditional tourist resorts, they aim to publicise a wide range of attractions, including some unusual destinations.

"We used to be happy with a few days lying on the beach, but recent years have seen an increasing interest in more adventurous travel," says Enya. "And Africa's tourist industry is in a great position to take advantage of this, in ways which can benefit all of our people."

Monica Villalobos (40) one of the 12 women selected, wants to share her love of her adopted continent having moved to South Africa from Peru.

"A lot of people have an image of Africa as riddled by war, famine and crime, but we want to show the amazing things that our continent has to offer… "

Some countries that the team will travel through, like South Africa and Egypt, have been on the European tourist radar for many years. Other destinations, such as Libya or Ethiopia, might have been no go areas, but as their political situations change, travellers are taking the chance to experience countries that have been off limits.

Lend a helping hand?

The team have already secured the sponsorship of Mitsubishi and are now looking for additional finance and equipment sponsors for the expedition.

Enya Fehler says: "It has been fantastic to see the tourism sector pulling together to make this expedition happen. This is a non-profit initiative, so sponsorship is essential to us. Although it is the women who are making the journey, we feel the whole industry is a part of it."

"It's not going to be all plain sailing," says Ingrid, "but we are up for the challenge, and will have take things as they come".

For more information on the Mitsubishi Africa Adventure Cape to Cape, or to find out how you could sponsor to the event, contact capetocape@africa-adventure.travel or visit www.africaadventure.travel