Carla Terblanche
1985
Carla grew up in South Africa, always outdoors—barefoot, climbing trees, and exploring. Inspired by her parents, a geologist and plant pathologist, she developed a deep love for nature. She earned degrees in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering and built a career in the nuclear industry. In 2018, she moved to the Netherlands for international experience and a new adventure.
Lida Derks
1984
Lida grew up in the Netherlands, always active outdoors—riding horses, playing sports, and curious about exploring new things. Her love for adventure led her to travel widely, from Colombia to Cuba, in Asia, North America, and across Europe, using everything from vans to scooters. She studied Dutch Language and Culture and built a career in marketing and communication.
we made a bold move
Our path leading here wasn’t obvious. In fact, we were on a very different track. Around 30, we both stepped into our first leadership roles and built strong careers. Driven by ambition and curiosity, we kept pushing forward. In 2021, we met during an Executive MBA. Two intense years later, we graduated and took the next step: Carla became plant manager of a nuclear research reactor, and Lida became director of a university's education centre. We were both 38.
A year later, we flipped the script.
We quit our jobs, bought a car in South Africa—sight unseen—booked a one-way ticket, and left our home, friends, and family in The Netherlands. After four months of building our Land Rover into a home, we set off to overland across Africa.
Why?
First, a shared drive to explore—both the world and new ways of living and learning. Second, a growing belief that making an impact doesn’t have to follow a traditional career path. We wanted to apply our time and skills to different challenges, including wildlife conservation. Third: why wait? The decision wasn’t easy, but a life-changing car accident reminded us how fragile—and valuable—time is.
our mission
We share our journey to show that there are many ways to live and make an impact. Just daring greatly. We aim to:
INSPIRE
Inspire bold decision-making, big and small. Show that choosing a different path is possible—and worth it.
UNLOCK
Make overlanding feel real, accessible, and worth pursuing. It's about going anyway, learning on the road.
CONNECT
Build a community across the overlanding world—from the Karoo to Patagonia—bringing people and ideas together.
PROTECT
Raise awareness for the plight of the pangolin and help prevent its extinction.