The Put Foot Rally is an road trip of a life time bringing people from all over the world together to explore and experience sub-Saharan Africa.

“Put Foot is different for everybody,” Mr Simpson said.

“People come to get lost, to find something or just enjoy the ride.

“I got so much more out of it than I ever could have imagined.”

Coming face to face with a male elephant in north eastern Botswana was an experience he will never forget.

“Right at the front reception desk is all the elephants come to the watering hole, so you’re literally three to five metres away from you,” he describes.

“There’s sharp rocks coming out from the wall and I was just sitting on the edge of the wall watching them when a big bull turned and looked at me, his ears went out and everyone was in shock.

“Someone came up to me and asked me how I felt, and I told them it just made me feel so insignificant in their world.”

In a group of four, Mr Simpson did the majority of the driving during the life changing trip through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Zambia.

“We survived on Red Bull in the early mornings and on the big days it got us through,” he said with a laugh.

“Most importantly I learnt how lucky I am to live the life I live.”

The rally has a charity component to the trip with participants providing young children with their first pair of school shoes and fundraising for the conservation of endangered animals, including the rhinoceros, elephant, lion and leopard.

Mr Simpson also took pencils to provide to children whose schools often lack in educational resources.

Inspired to now live and work in Africa, Mr Simpson has already signed up for the Put Foot Rally 2017.

“The friendships and the memories and everything to do with Africa has made it hard to get back to it here,” he said.

The rally is organised by South African Not-for-Profit Organisation the Put Foot Foundation.