A Life of Service and Adventure
There’s something undeniably compelling about Anton Poplett. A service-focused adventurer, humanitarian specialist, and iKamper Ambassador- Anton splits his time between some of the most remote parts of Africa and his home in Cape Town. He’s also the founder of @4x4OutFar, a foundation dedicated to supporting communities through various efforts across Southern Africa.
With 15 years of experience in Sea Rescue (a South African volunteer-based organization), helping people has always been in Anton’s blood—and continuing to help is something he hasn’t been willing to let go of.
But beyond the titles and labels, Anton is someone with a wealth of stories—stories filled with humor, sadness, disbelief, wild animals, rugged landscapes, and the deep, meaningful connections he makes with the people he serves along the way. And we’re here to listen.
The Human Wildlife Conflict
For Anton, this recent journey often takes two full days of driving—12 hours each day—with only brief stops to refill his Defender 110 with diesel and stock up on food. “It’s a beautiful trip going up,” he says. “We generally cross the border into Botswana and “wild camp” with nomadic cattle ranchers. We only ask permission to stay the night and share whatever food we can.” Anton has been working in this region for several years.
His first project began here, involving the screening and testing of schoolchildren's vision to provide corrective eyewear. From that moment on, his bond with the local communities grew, and he’s returned ever since. It only made sense for him to expand his efforts to include human-wildlife conflict, a critical issue affecting local farming communities.
For most people, seeing elephants in the wild is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, for Anton, it’s a daily reality. Elephants are incredibly intelligent creatures, but in many of the regions Anton visits, their behavior has been shaped by a traumatic history. Many of these elephants fled Angola after the civil war, moving through Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and into Botswana in search of safety. As you can imagine, that escalated their numbers significantly. The legacy of that conflict still lingers in the elephants, and it’s something Anton and the locals have to keep in mind.
"Elephants are unpredictable," Anton explains. "If they’re far off, it’s easy to relax and move around your rig. But once they get within 100 meters, you become hyper-aware. You’re not scared, but you’re definitely cautious. Every movement, every interaction is a mental calculation.”
Imagine standing under the scorching 113°F South African sun, watching Anton haul fencing materials across a dry, dusty field without complaint. But this isn’t just any trip… This is a mission: protecting livestock and local communities' crops from frequently occurring elephant raids. Their natural forage for food can pose a threat to communities and the wealth livestock bring to these regions. His work involves repairing elephant fencing: electric fences that are built to protect local farms from outside wildlife such as elephants.
Protecting Livestock, Protecting Lives
The danger elephants pose isn’t just to crops or livestock; it’s to human lives. Anton has found himself connecting with those who have lost loved ones, trying to understand not just the human cost, but the complexities of grief and survival in the face of such hardship.
These interactions, these stories of loss, are what fuel Anton’s commitment to this mission. "We’ve sat with a woman who’s lost her husband, brother-in-law, and child to elephants. Now she farms alone. It makes you wonder—what am I really worrying about in the suburbs? These communities just keep going because farming is their livelihood. They carry on, no matter what. And that’s what drives me." These interactions fuel Anton's commitment to his mission.
After a long day’s work, Anton and his team often camp under the vast African sky, cooking meals, sharing stories from the day, and preparing for the next day’s hard work. “Working with local teams and communities is an absolute blessing, and there’s always excitement on both ends.”
The Impact That Drives Him
For Anton, it’s not about the accolades or recognition—it’s about awareness. It’s about showing up, doing the hard work, and making a meaningful difference. And that’s exactly what he’s doing—one project, one fence, and one community at a time.
Through his work, Anton is not only helping people; he’s building a sustainable model for change in some of the most challenging environments on Earth."I don't know about my legacy. The impact I want to leave is simple: helping people doesn’t need to be complicated. It doesn’t require a massive corporation—it just needs to be smart and sustainable." In a world where complexity often dominates, Anton’s approach serves as a reminder that the simplest solutions can be the most powerful.
Whether he’s protecting livestock, collaborating with local communities, or navigating the rugged African landscape, Anton’s iKamper Skycamp plays a pivotal role in his journey. It’s more than just a tent—it’s an essential tool in his mission to leave a positive, lasting impact wherever he goes.
Join us in supporting Anton’s life-changing work. Your contribution can help protect communities and create lasting change. Learn more about his mission at www.4x4outfar.com!
