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Steve Boyes: Uncovering The Zambezi’s Source
Luxferity, 20.11.2025
Steve Boyes: Uncovering The Zambezi’s Source
In a world where luxury increasingly intersects with purpose, South African explorer Steve Boyes is redefining what it means to travel with impact. As founder of the Great Spine of Africa expeditions, Boyes has unveiled a groundbreaking discovery: the true source of the Zambezi River lies in the remote Angolan Highlands, a revelation poised to transform conservation in Southern Africa.
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A Decade of Discovery Along Africa’s Lifelines
Supported by the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, Boyes and his team have navigated over 30,000 kilometres of previously undocumented rivers, combining cutting-edge satellite imagery with local knowledge. Their work culminated in September 2025 with a peer-reviewed publication affirming the Zambezi’s source within the Lisima Lya Mwono landscape, a highland water tower that sustains millions of people and countless species.
At the 2025 Ramsar Convention in Zimbabwe, Boyes presented his decade-long research beside the thundering Victoria Falls, advocating for the Lisima Lya Mwono area to receive international protection as a Ramsar Wetland of international importance. This recognition would secure sustainable conservation for the region’s peatlands, lakes, and rivers, establishing it as the third-largest Ramsar Site in Africa and the fifth-largest globally.
“Rivers unite people across borders. These are river guardians. They’re proud of the water,”Boyes reflected, acknowledging the crucial support of local kings and chiefs along the Zambezi.
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Luxury Exploration Meets Global Conservation
Boyes’ expeditions are not only scientific in purpose but also a masterclass in adventure luxury—intensive yet meticulously organized journeys through Africa’s most remote and pristine landscapes. Paddling dugout canoes across the Lungwevungu River, facing wildlife encounters from hippos to elephants, and surviving malaria, his work embodies the intersection of high-end exploration and meaningful impact.
Through the Great Spine of Africa, Boyes aims to protect 1.2 million square kilometres of Africa’s watersheds, plateaus, and rivers by 2035, extending his reach to the Congo and Nile basins. Each expedition blends scientific discovery with traditional ecological knowledge, demonstrating that luxury travel and conservation can coexist on a global stage.
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The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative: Supporting Pioneering Conservation
Since its 2019 launch, the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative has supported explorers like Boyes in safeguarding the planet’s most vital ecosystems. The program spans Oceans, Landscapes, and Science & Technology, championing projects from Mission Blue to Rewilding Chile, reinforcing Rolex’s commitment to eco-luxury leadership.
Boyes’ partnership with Rolex ensures that Africa’s source lakes, wetlands, and peatlands gain the attention they deserve, blending high-profile global recognition with on-the-ground conservation.
“Only 14 percent of Africa is protected right now. The people living at the source of rivers are already protecting it—they just need recognition,” Boyes emphasizes.
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Why This Matters for Luxury Audiences
For the discerning traveler or eco-conscious collector, the story of the Great Spine of Africa offers more than adventure—it represents a rare opportunity to witness luxury exploration in service of global sustainability. From Angola’s untouched highlands to the iconic Victoria Falls, each expedition reflects elite exploration, environmental stewardship, and cultural diplomacy.
This is luxury with purpose, a narrative that resonates with those seeking to experience, protect, and celebrate the world’s most precious natural landscapes.
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Photo Credits:
The Wilderness Project/James Kydd
Rolex/Aurélie Marrier d’Unienville
