Exploring Africa’s Hidden Waterways
Steve Boyes possesses pale blue eyes that seem to capture the essence of the African sun, yet they radiate a childlike wonder that complements his warm smile. This South African explorer has dedicated a significant portion of his life to traversing some of the most remote river systems across the continent, aiming to unravel their mysteries.
A conservationist, National Geographic explorer, and the founder of the Great Spine of Africa expeditions, Boyes focuses his research on understanding the origins of the water that sustains millions of people and ecosystems throughout Africa. His career includes years of in-depth study in the Okavango Basin and the highlands of Angola, where his team has documented relatively unexplored ecosystems, identified new species, and highlighted the critical importance of these regions, often referred to as “natural water towers.”
In 2019, Boyes’ team, part of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project, was honoured as Rolex National Geographic Explorers of the Year. His current work continues under the Great Spine of Africa initiative, supported by Rolex, which aims to map and document Africa’s major river systems through extensive expeditions. The initiative seeks to establish hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic baselines to monitor how these rivers evolve over time while promoting conservation strategies that engage local communities.
The Fusion of Technology and Tradition
During a conversation with Boyes at the National Geographic Explorers Festival 2026 in Washington, D.C., he discussed the intersection of cutting-edge technology and traditional exploration methods. He elaborated on how this blend functions and its purposes.
“We create intricate maps that reveal the entire nature of a river route, capturing its diverse components while travelling in canoes,” Boyes explained. “The technologies we employ and the depth of our river analyses are unparalleled; no one else is doing anything remotely comparable.”
He described their mapping process as they navigate from the rivers’ sources. “We are undertaking 200 expeditions over eight years as part of the Great Spine of Africa project. Initially, we aimed for 50 expeditions within three years, which we have surpassed, completing 100 in the first five years. We plan to finish 200 expeditions by 2030.”
Utilising six-metre-long dugout canoes, similar to those displayed at the National Geographic museum in Washington, Boyes’ team mounts a 360-degree camera, such as the latest Insta360 model, which captures an image every 30 to 60 seconds, depending on river conditions.
Creating a Digital Archive of Rivers
“These images serve as a form of Google Maps for the uncharted parts of the region,” he noted. BlueGIS, their partner, employs EarthViews to compile these images, a process that can take up to three weeks as they sift through photos to eliminate any with crew members in unflattering situations.
Every 10 kilometres, an icon appears on the map indicating the availability of aerial photographs, taken with drones from various altitudes. Additionally, they gather water quality metrics at these intervals. Every 50 kilometres, they deploy a Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) to measure water flow with incredible precision, noting water clarity and the volume of water passing through that section of the river.
The team also meticulously records habitat changes, documenting agricultural areas and human structures, while collecting environmental DNA samples to build a water library for future scientific research. Boyes explained, “We are creating a repository of water samples, which we believe will aid scientists of the future in their studies.”
Revolutionising Conservation Through Local Knowledge
With regards to species identification, Boyes highlighted their extensive fish sampling efforts, leading to the largest collection of freshwater fish from the Southern Hemisphere. “By processing DNA from fin samples, we can determine what fish have been present in a river over the last two weeks.”
All data collected integrates into a comprehensive visual map, functioning akin to Google Street View, allowing users to explore the river’s ecosystem and locate various species. “We are also collaborating with AI tools like ChatGPT to analyse images and identify plants and habitat types as we navigate,” he added.
Boyes underlined that their efforts are bringing to light areas of Africa that have remained largely unexplored, enabling the creation of vital datasets previously lacking in scientific literature.
Understanding Africa’s Resilience in Climate Change
One of the most significant revelations from their research has been the discovery of peatlands, vast organic material layers that act as natural sponges, storing enormous amounts of water. “These peatlands are located at critical junctures where Africa’s river basins converge, showing that Africa is far more resilient to long-term climate change impacts than we previously thought,” he declared.
Boyes emphasised that understanding these ecosystems is crucial in preserving Africa’s remarkable megafauna, which has thrived while similar species have vanished elsewhere. He reflected on the continent’s historical ability to withstand climatic shifts, suggesting that it holds the key to future resilience in the face of ongoing environmental challenges.
Shifting the Narrative on Africa
Boyes challenges the prevailing narrative that portrays Africa as a continent solely defined by chaos and crisis. “Our research indicates that, contrary to popular belief, Africa is a place of potential resilience in the face of climate change,” he asserted. His work with indigenous communities aims to harness local knowledge and expertise to create sustainable models for conservation.
“The indigenous populations we feature in our film, Ghost Elephants, represent the closest genetic link to the foundational human population that spread across the globe. They possess invaluable knowledge about surviving climate crises,” he shared. Boyes believes that Africa’s unique geography and ecosystem offer an unprecedented opportunity for sustainable development.
Innovative Conservation Models
Boyes advocates for a new approach to conservation that incorporates local communities as custodians of their landscapes. “The traditional model of national parks, which displaces local populations, simply does not work in Africa,” he explained. Instead, he promotes conservation areas that foster pride, ownership, community, and purpose among local inhabitants.
In Angola, Boyes and his team have pioneered “conservation kingdoms,” where traditional leaders guide local communities in protecting their ecosystems and managing natural resources. This collaborative model has been recognised through the OECM (Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures), which acknowledges the role of local populations in conservation efforts.
As part of the Great Spine of Africa initiative, in partnership with Rolex, Boyes aims to protect 1.2 million square kilometres of land, equating to 4% of Africa’s terrestrial surface. Currently, only 14% of the continent is protected, but Boyes hopes to increase this to 18%. He emphasises the need for water and food security as Africa approaches a new demographic phase, with its population expected to grow significantly.
A Vision for a Sustainable Future
Boyes believes that Africa has the potential to grow sustainably, given its vast resources and relatively untapped landscapes. “By 2050, one in two babies born on the planet will be African. Ensuring water security is paramount for this growth,” he stated, stressing the importance of viable ecosystems in safeguarding future generations.
He recounts how, after overcoming his own battle with cancer, he was inspired to propose the ambitious plan for 200 expeditions over eight years, creating scientific baselines to monitor Africa’s rivers and ecosystems.
Boyes concludes that the success of their initiative relies on the integration of traditional knowledge with modern technology, creating a holistic approach to conservation that empowers local communities while preserving their cultural heritage.