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The South African
25-06-2025
- The South African
South African adventurer sets sail on record-breaking expedition
South African adventurer Chris Bertish has set off on one of the boldest solo expeditions ever attempted – a world-first crossing from California to Hawaii on a production beach catamaran with no cabin, powered only by wind and solar energy. The TransCat Expedition 2025 Oceans Without Borders will see Bertish navigate more than 2 800 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean from Mission Bay, San Diego, California to Oahu, Hawaii – solo, unsupported, and exposed to the elements for up to three weeks. 'Every test, every challenge, every storm I've weathered in preparation has brought me here,' says Bertish. 'This isn't just about crossing an ocean. It's about crossing the boundaries of what's possible for people, for the planet, and for future generations.' Over the past two months, Bertish has undergone extensive sea trials and safety testing on the custom-modified 20-foot catamaran to ensure the craft could withstand the extreme conditions of the Pacific. Designed for speed, the vessel offers zero protection from sun, wind, or rain – a test of sheer endurance, mental toughness, and strategic ocean navigation. Bertish will be completely alone at sea, with no support boat or physical contact, making this one of the most audacious ocean crossings ever attempted on such a craft. But the TransCat Expedition is more than an adventure. It's a global mission for good. Through the journey and his strategic partnership with Wild Impact, Bertish aims to: Plant 6 000 trees across Africa and North America to offset carbon emissions Support coral reef restoration in Hawaii's Hanauma Bay Fund and build a sustainable education facility in Kenya that promotes circular economies and food security Inspire over one million youth worldwide through live virtual classroom sessions streamed from the middle of the ocean 'Everything we do in this life should ripple outward,' Bertish says. 'This expedition is my ripple – to raise awareness for ocean conservation, to empower education, and to prove that one person can still make a massive difference.' Bertish is no stranger to epic feats. In 2017, he became the first person to cross the Atlantic Ocean on a stand-up paddleboard, and in 2021, he pioneered a solo wing-foil journey from California to Hawaii. Each expedition has combined extreme sports with impactful causes, raising millions in funding and awareness for global sustainability and youth initiatives. For more on the TransCat Expedition or to support the cause, visit Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- IOL News
South African adventurer Chris Bertish embarks on record-breaking pacific crossing
South African sailor Chris Bertish is sailing the pacific on a production beach catamaran with no cabin, and powered solely by wind and solar energy. Image: Supplied SOUTH African adventurer and ocean advocate Chris Bertish set sail from Mission Bay in San Diego today on what he calls one of the boldest solo ocean crossings ever attempted. He is undertaking a 2,800-nautical-mile journey to Hawaii on a production beach catamaran with no cabin, and powered solely by wind and solar energy. Bertish is navigating the Pacific Ocean solo and unsupported aboard a 20-foot catamaran, modified for extreme offshore conditions. The vessel offers no protection from sun, wind, or rain, exposing him fully to the elements for the estimated three-week voyage to Oahu, Hawaii. 'Every test, every challenge, every storm I've weathered in preparation has brought me here,' said Bertish. 'This isn't just about crossing an ocean. It's about crossing the boundaries of what's possible for people, for the planet, and for future generations.' Over the past two months, Bertish conducted extensive sea trials and safety testing on the vessel to prepare for the journey. The expedition, titled TransCat Expedition 2025: Oceans Without Borders, aims to highlight environmental and educational causes through a partnership with impact organisation Wild Impact. The mission includes planting 6,000 trees across Africa and North America to offset carbon emissions, supporting coral reef restoration in Hawaii's Hanauma Bay, funding a sustainable education facility in Kenya, and hosting live-streamed educational sessions for over one million students worldwide. 'Everything we do in this life should ripple outward,' Bertish said. 'This expedition is my ripple; to raise awareness for ocean conservation, to empower education, and to prove that one person can still make a massive difference.' Bertish is known for previous endurance feats, including a solo transatlantic stand-up paddleboard crossing in 2017 and a solo wing-foil journey from California to Hawaii in 2021. His ventures have raised millions in support of sustainability and youth initiatives. Now at sea, Bertish continues his mission to test human endurance and amplify global change from one of the planet's most unforgiving environments.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-05-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
On the trip of a lifetime, I left my camera behind. I don't regret it
It's when I'm packing for this trip that I realise I have one small-plane flight with severe luggage restrictions. At the last minute, I decide to leave the new camera behind. As I'm driven to the airport, however, I feel like I've left my passport at home, that's how important this piece of equipment feels to my identity as a traveller. And that's when I catch a glimpse of my past self being one of those photo bro types. And when the very same charter flight that caused me to leave my camera behind swoops down across Kruger National Park, affording impressive panoramas of the 2-million-hectare vastness, it is just begging to be captured with a wide-angle lens. The plane lands at Ngala's private airstrip, where one of the special green LandCruisers awaits with its three-tiered open-air seating for our party of five, our tracker Ernie and guide Marcus standing by it smiling welcomely. It's a Kodak moment. And it won't be long before I realise the camp, edging the wide, sandy, bed of the Timbavati River, is built right on an elephant crossing which the (mostly) gentle giants often use to access the lush greenery directly in front of Ngala's spa, bar and dining areas. I'm full of high-res regret. Fortunately, at camp, there's plenty to distract me. The marvellously situated 25-year-old property greatly pleases this design devotee. It has just emerged from a six-month closure during which it was fully renovated to reflect modern tastes as well as its environment. A spa was added, and the tented suites were given large verandahs. Considered the benchmark for ethical luxury safari, &Beyond's credentials are many. It is also at the higher end of experiences. With only one other property, the family-friendly Ngala Safari Lodge on its nearly 15,000-hectare unfenced reserve, the couple-focused Ngala Tented Camp offers exclusivity and a price to go with it. The tariff, however, not only covers these exquisite digs, but three sublime meals a day, with three courses at lunch and dinner and matched wines during the latter. There are drinks available all day, including a help-yourself bar by the pool, a cocktail bar featuring full bottles of premium spirits alongside a beans-grinding Jura coffee machine and snacks. A scrumptious afternoon tea is served and the staff organise special treat meals, such as breakfast and dinner, to be served in the bush or poolside. Then there's the opportunity to visit communities to learn about the good works &Beyond affiliate, Wild Impact is doing in inventive and inspiring ways. But of course, the main game is those safari drives. And therein lies the true value for money. Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights over wilderness owned by the World Wildlife Foundation and leased to &Beyond. At the tented camp, there are only nine suites. And it's this that really facilitates my photo bro rehab. Africa is far from immune to overtourism and crowding has become a serious issue in popular safari destinations with large numbers of vehicles jostling for the best positions to view wildlife that may become skittish because of this human activity, not to mention endangering said animals. It is anxiety inducing for humans as well. The frantic atmosphere of competition and limited opportunity contributes to the compulsion to mindlessly snap away, for fear the moment ends without having something to show for it. At Ngala, we watch the animals live their lives without greatly interrupting them, mostly with one, perhaps two safari vehicles present. In eight drives (two a day) of around four hours each, we only have one instance of three vehicles in situ, and because they are all on the same team, the interaction is respectful and careful. And because of this minimal interruption, the interface with the wildlife is extended. That, my friends, is a real luxury. There are many highlights across our stay. They begin with our first drive, when a male lion saunters around a corner directly in front of us and stops at a small body of water in the river bed to drink. We are so close, we hear him lapping. A leopard appears on the same patch of road, letting out a low growl as it passes our stopped vehicle, so near, I see her whiskers twitch. Amid a group of nine lions, part of a bigger group known as the Birmingham Pride, we watch a white lion cub, one of only four of this hue known in the wild. I relish hearing the soft shuffle of elephant feet in sandy soil, the rustle of rhino in bushes, the chomp-chomp of giraffe feeding, lions calling and oh, the birds. So many stunning feathered friends. We even love watching the grisly spectacle of vultures finishing off a buffalo carcass. I giggle like a kid to hear an elephant fart. Ngala is famous for lions – the name actually means 'lion' in the local Shangaan language. On one of our last drives we witness a lioness attacking a zebra. We hear the thud as she lands on its back, and a crack as the zebra kicks her and escapes. Loading We sit and watch a dam for an hour as hippos emerge, measuring whether the heat of the day has dissipated enough to warrant them fully getting out of the water. There, the sky turns a deep velvet blue splashed with tutti-frutti – oranges, yellows and pinks. Ernie and Marcus set up the sundowners. The stars emerge and spangle. It's one of the most peaceful interludes I can recall, and mostly, I have simply immersed myself in it. I say mostly – I have my iPhone with me, and snap plenty of memories. That's a different kind of photography, at least, for me: more about reminders, less about possession and obsession. Will I always leave my camera behind? No. I enjoy photography, and truthfully, I would have loved to have seen what my new equipment could do with all that beauty and magnificence at Ngala. But I know I'll be different the next time I go visiting a wildlife and wilderness environment. I will probably still chase that dopamine fix of Instagram posts, but I hope, as with this trip, I'll do it considerably less. And I'll be mindful of tempering the ego- and anxiety-driven desire to get the best shot of an animal, enjoying instead the feelings of humility and awe that come from simply watching such precious creatures go about their business. THE DETAILS VISIT &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp is in &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, South Africa; From $2080 (ZAR24,100) fully inclusive per person a night twin share. Transfers are not included in the price. See STAY On arrival in Johannesburg, we stayed at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, a European villa-style property with maximalist decor and a great restaurant, 20 kilometres from the city centre. Rooms from $380 a night. 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, South Africa; +27 11 808 7300. See On the way home, I bunked in at the InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport, one of the nicest airport hotels anywhere – and very conveniently situated opposite the International Arrivals Hall. Rooms from around $630 a night. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg; +27 11 961 5400. See Loading TRANSFER Transfer options include by road in a private car – Ngala is about six hours from Johannesburg. Federal Airlines flies charters and shuttles from Johannesburg to Ngala Private Airfield. See Airlink flies between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit. See &Beyond can organise a pick-up from there. The road trip takes about an hour.
The Age
27-05-2025
- The Age
On the trip of a lifetime, I left my camera behind. I don't regret it
It's when I'm packing for this trip that I realise I have one small-plane flight with severe luggage restrictions. At the last minute, I decide to leave the new camera behind. As I'm driven to the airport, however, I feel like I've left my passport at home, that's how important this piece of equipment feels to my identity as a traveller. And that's when I catch a glimpse of my past self being one of those photo bro types. And when the very same charter flight that caused me to leave my camera behind swoops down across Kruger National Park, affording impressive panoramas of the 2-million-hectare vastness, it is just begging to be captured with a wide-angle lens. The plane lands at Ngala's private airstrip, where one of the special green LandCruisers awaits with its three-tiered open-air seating for our party of five, our tracker Ernie and guide Marcus standing by it smiling welcomely. It's a Kodak moment. And it won't be long before I realise the camp, edging the wide, sandy, bed of the Timbavati River, is built right on an elephant crossing which the (mostly) gentle giants often use to access the lush greenery directly in front of Ngala's spa, bar and dining areas. I'm full of high-res regret. Fortunately, at camp, there's plenty to distract me. The marvellously situated 25-year-old property greatly pleases this design devotee. It has just emerged from a six-month closure during which it was fully renovated to reflect modern tastes as well as its environment. A spa was added, and the tented suites were given large verandahs. Considered the benchmark for ethical luxury safari, &Beyond's credentials are many. It is also at the higher end of experiences. With only one other property, the family-friendly Ngala Safari Lodge on its nearly 15,000-hectare unfenced reserve, the couple-focused Ngala Tented Camp offers exclusivity and a price to go with it. The tariff, however, not only covers these exquisite digs, but three sublime meals a day, with three courses at lunch and dinner and matched wines during the latter. There are drinks available all day, including a help-yourself bar by the pool, a cocktail bar featuring full bottles of premium spirits alongside a beans-grinding Jura coffee machine and snacks. A scrumptious afternoon tea is served and the staff organise special treat meals, such as breakfast and dinner, to be served in the bush or poolside. Then there's the opportunity to visit communities to learn about the good works &Beyond affiliate, Wild Impact is doing in inventive and inspiring ways. But of course, the main game is those safari drives. And therein lies the true value for money. Ngala was the first private game reserve to be incorporated into the Kruger National Park and has exclusive traversing rights over wilderness owned by the World Wildlife Foundation and leased to &Beyond. At the tented camp, there are only nine suites. And it's this that really facilitates my photo bro rehab. Africa is far from immune to overtourism and crowding has become a serious issue in popular safari destinations with large numbers of vehicles jostling for the best positions to view wildlife that may become skittish because of this human activity, not to mention endangering said animals. It is anxiety inducing for humans as well. The frantic atmosphere of competition and limited opportunity contributes to the compulsion to mindlessly snap away, for fear the moment ends without having something to show for it. At Ngala, we watch the animals live their lives without greatly interrupting them, mostly with one, perhaps two safari vehicles present. In eight drives (two a day) of around four hours each, we only have one instance of three vehicles in situ, and because they are all on the same team, the interaction is respectful and careful. And because of this minimal interruption, the interface with the wildlife is extended. That, my friends, is a real luxury. There are many highlights across our stay. They begin with our first drive, when a male lion saunters around a corner directly in front of us and stops at a small body of water in the river bed to drink. We are so close, we hear him lapping. A leopard appears on the same patch of road, letting out a low growl as it passes our stopped vehicle, so near, I see her whiskers twitch. Amid a group of nine lions, part of a bigger group known as the Birmingham Pride, we watch a white lion cub, one of only four of this hue known in the wild. I relish hearing the soft shuffle of elephant feet in sandy soil, the rustle of rhino in bushes, the chomp-chomp of giraffe feeding, lions calling and oh, the birds. So many stunning feathered friends. We even love watching the grisly spectacle of vultures finishing off a buffalo carcass. I giggle like a kid to hear an elephant fart. Ngala is famous for lions – the name actually means 'lion' in the local Shangaan language. On one of our last drives we witness a lioness attacking a zebra. We hear the thud as she lands on its back, and a crack as the zebra kicks her and escapes. Loading We sit and watch a dam for an hour as hippos emerge, measuring whether the heat of the day has dissipated enough to warrant them fully getting out of the water. There, the sky turns a deep velvet blue splashed with tutti-frutti – oranges, yellows and pinks. Ernie and Marcus set up the sundowners. The stars emerge and spangle. It's one of the most peaceful interludes I can recall, and mostly, I have simply immersed myself in it. I say mostly – I have my iPhone with me, and snap plenty of memories. That's a different kind of photography, at least, for me: more about reminders, less about possession and obsession. Will I always leave my camera behind? No. I enjoy photography, and truthfully, I would have loved to have seen what my new equipment could do with all that beauty and magnificence at Ngala. But I know I'll be different the next time I go visiting a wildlife and wilderness environment. I will probably still chase that dopamine fix of Instagram posts, but I hope, as with this trip, I'll do it considerably less. And I'll be mindful of tempering the ego- and anxiety-driven desire to get the best shot of an animal, enjoying instead the feelings of humility and awe that come from simply watching such precious creatures go about their business. THE DETAILS VISIT &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp is in &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve, Timbavati, South Africa; From $2080 (ZAR24,100) fully inclusive per person a night twin share. Transfers are not included in the price. See STAY On arrival in Johannesburg, we stayed at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, a European villa-style property with maximalist decor and a great restaurant, 20 kilometres from the city centre. Rooms from $380 a night. 1 Alma Rd, Morningside, Sandton, South Africa; +27 11 808 7300. See On the way home, I bunked in at the InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport, one of the nicest airport hotels anywhere – and very conveniently situated opposite the International Arrivals Hall. Rooms from around $630 a night. O.R. Tambo International Airport, Kempton Park, Johannesburg; +27 11 961 5400. See Loading TRANSFER Transfer options include by road in a private car – Ngala is about six hours from Johannesburg. Federal Airlines flies charters and shuttles from Johannesburg to Ngala Private Airfield. See Airlink flies between Johannesburg and Hoedspruit. See &Beyond can organise a pick-up from there. The road trip takes about an hour.
