about us
A little bit about Exp Africa?
Taking part at Eco Challenge Borneo 2000 introduced Heidi and Stephan Muller to the sport of Adventure racing. They fell in love with the sport and raced competitively for the next 10 years. In 2010 they started organising adventure races in South Africa. Kinetic Events was created organising adventure races under the brand name Expedition Africa.
Expedition Africa comprises a series of adventure races comprising of a 25 km series , school series and several 60/120/200 km weekend events. Our flagship event is the Expedition Africa Expedition – A 500 km, multi-day race which is part of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS).
Over the last decade we have organised more than 60 events of 25 km, 40 events of 120 – 250 km and 12 multi-day Expedition races.
To grow the sport of adventure racing we have hosted numerous regional and national school adventure races including the South African School Championship.
We have ventured outside our country borders and organised Adventure races in Swaziland, Lesotho , the Island of Rodrigues and as far north as incredible India.
Expedition Africa hosted the Adventure Racing World Championship in 2023, which was one for the second time by Swedish Armed Forces Adventure Team (SAFAT).
For 15 years, Expedition Africa has been the cornerstone of Adventure Racing in South Africa and internationally. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Heidi and Stephan Muller. As the Muller’s shift their focus to new ventures, they pass on the legacy of Expedition Africa to a dynamic new team: Franco Olivier, Damon de Boor, and Malusi Molewa.
Meet the Team
Franco Olivier
Franco is the owner of Never Stop Performing Sports, a thriving hockey academy in Midstream Estate where he coaches 150 young athletes each week, underscoring his commitment to youth sports development.
Franco’s journey into Adventure Racing began in 2012, introduced to the sport by his then-girlfriend and now-wife, Shirleen. Despite initial challenges in their 120km races, Franco’s dedication to rigorous training paid off. By 2015, he completed Expedition Africa Swaziland and has since participated in every expedition Africa.
Reflecting on his passion, Franco states, “Adventure racing ignites a profound drive within me, pushing me to work harder and pursue personal growth. It challenges me to forge deep connections with my team and navigate intense emotional landscapes.
As a Race Director, witnessing the emotional journey of racers—their resilience and ultimate triumph—is incredibly rewarding. The sense of accomplishment they experience crossing the finish line is why I organise races.
Damon de Boor
Damon started Adventure Racing in the early 2000s with his first expedition race in 2008 at the Bull of Africa.
Adventure racing took a back seat for a few years to accommodate Damon’s studies and then work travels. He returned to the sport and expedition racing in 2016. As has been actively racing since then along with Franco. He immigrated to the UK in November 2020. Damon’s years of adventure racing in South Africa, and his participation in the events organised by Heidi and Stephan Muller, inspired him to set up the Wolf Cub Challenge, a family-focused series of adventure races in the UK. The Wolf Cub Challenges aim to get parents and children to spend time together outdoors through participation in adventure races.
“Expedition Africa has been a huge part of my life over the past nine years and it has been a life changer in many aspects. Adventure racing is part of who I am and I want to share this sport with everyone.”
Malusi Molewa
Malusi is the Chairman and Founder of the Tshenolo Group of Companies and the manager of Team Tshenolo Adventure Racing (TAR).
Introduced to Adventure Racing in March, Team Tshenolo’s members are adventure racing novices that have undertaken numerous big challenges in a short period.
With only a few regional events under their belt, the team leapt at the opportunity to participate at the AR World Championship, hosted by Expedition Africa, in October 2023. After this baptism by fire, Tshenolo completed Expedition Africa Namibia in May 2024 and are keen to race around the world.
Tshenolo have earned support and respect from the South African adventure racing community for their fortitude and determination.
“You get to find yourself by participating in sports like Adventure Racing. Being in the wilderness, without any connection to the outside world, gives one an opportunity to reflect. At times, we need to disconnect in order to reconnect.”
A brief History
Expedition Africa is a multi day adventure race. Teams of four complete approximately 500 km in 4 to 7 days, on foot , Mountain bike and kayaking. Every year Expedition Africa visits a different area in Southern Africa to showcase it to the world. Expedition Africa forms part of the Adventure Racing World Series and the Winner gets a free entry into the World Championships.
Expedition Africa started 2011 in Hermanus – Western Cape. Since then we have visited Port Alfred – Sunshine Coast (2012), Drakensberg (2013), Wild Coast (2014), Swaziland (2015), Garden Route (2016), Kouga/Baviaans (2017), Namaqua West Coast (2018), the island of Rodrigues (2019) and Lesotho (2022).
The 11th edition of Expedition Africa was hosted in Kouga, Eastern Cape and was the first Adventure Racing World Championship in Africa.
The 2024 edition of Expedition Africa was hosted in Namibia.
