ABOUT
Rooots & Routes
Rooots & Routes is an ongoing research and storytelling project exploring how African travelers move, connect, and navigate across the continent — from infrastructure and mobility to the cultural, economic, and digital systems that enable or restrict freedom of movement.
It’s not just about where we go, but how we get there, what routes we take, and what stories and systems shape our movement.
This project is led by Trevor Chomumwe — a cultural strategist, traveler, and founder of The Travelling Studio. It builds on over 1,000 days of cross-border field research across 10 African countries, using public transport to trace routes, uncover narratives, and create tools that serve fellow travelers, researchers, artists, and policymakers.
The Mission
To document and imagine a more connected Africa — where Africans can travel freely, safely, affordably, and meaningfully across their own continent.
At the core of Rooots & Routes is a question:
“What does it take to move freely across Africa as an African?”
This inquiry is being answered not only through research and documentation, but through open-source tools, media, experiments, and emerging systems of mobility and exchange.
Research Themes
Rooots & Routes investigates African travel and mobility through six interconnected themes:
Infrastructure
Roads, buses, rail, flights, digital infrastructure
Borders & Bureaucracy
Visas, checkpoints, cross-border regulation
Cost & Access
Affordability, class, and pricing of travel
Safety & Regulation
Legal frameworks, transport safety, corruption.
Culture & Belonging
Hospitality, connection, and identity on the road
Stories & Systems
Media, data, narratives, and tools that shape movement
Where Have We Been
Over the course of three years, Trevor traveled by public transport across the following countries:
Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Lesotho, eSwatini, Mozambique, Zambia East Africa: Malawi, Tanzania
This journey spanned 35,000 km, dozens of border crossings, and hundreds of stops — all captured through field notes, interviews, and a living research archive.
Full breakdowns by city, route, and transport type are available on the “Itinerary” page.
The Podcast
African Travel Now is the podcast companion to Rooots & Routes. It features conversations with drivers, artists, border agents, and fellow travelers; soundscapes from taxis, stations, checkpoints, and cities. Mini travel reports exploring themes like visas, corruption, joy, and language.
Projects & Pilots
Over time, Rooots & Routes has seeded several spin‑offs and pilot experiments to advance mobility, storytelling, and cultural exchange:
Travel Scout Program
Support local tourism while creating. Scouts get immersive access in exchange for storytelling.
The Travelling Studio
A mobile creative agency helping small biz, and cultural orgs digitize and grow with human-centered systems.
Collectors of African Art
A curated journey for collectors. Explore studios, fairs, and art routes across the continent.
COVID‑19 Regulations Dashboard
Stay informed. Track regional health requirements for cultural events and safe movement.
Accommodation Directory
Trusted places to stay — from homestays to hostels, curated from our travels.
Transport Routes Archive
Go from A to B. Browse a growing library of buses, trains, ferries, and car hire tips.
How This Project Is Funded
This journey has never been about luxury — it's about learning, exchanging, and finding ways to move forward with what’s available. The project is currently funded through a mix of resourcefulness and community support: remote work, bartering creative skills for accommodation and access, and contributions from friends, and family. Platforms like Pory.io have helped make the journey more sustainable.
While I don’t yet have all the funding I need to realize the project’s full vision, I’ve learned that progress often comes not from abundance, but from creativity, generosity, and grit. Every leg of this trip is made possible by people who believe in the value of culture, storytelling, and connection — and that’s a currency I take seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
This project sits at the intersection of travel, storytelling, and system-building — and naturally, it raises questions. From ethics and research practices to the meaning behind the name, we’ve gathered some of the most common curiosities here. Whether you’re a fellow creative, a potential collaborator, or just passing through, this is where you can learn what moves us — and how the project moves.
About the Project
What is Rooots & Routes really about?
Rooots & Routes is a mobility lab that explores how Africans move — across borders, networks, and creative economies. Travel is the entry point, but the project is equally grounded in data justice, storytelling, and cultural infrastructure.
Who is this for?
For tourism and hospitality owners/employees, cultural workers, storytellers, data practitioners, travelers, policy thinkers — and anyone curious about African freedom of movement and the local knowledge systems that sustain it.
Is it just about visas and travel research?
Not quite. Visa data is one lens — but we go deeper into the full mobility ecosystem: border regimes, digital access, visa inequality, local networks, infrastructure gaps, and the lived experience of movement.
▶ Participation & Contributions
How can I get involved?
There are several ways to join:
- Apply to become a Travel Scout or local storyteller
- Collaborate on research, fieldwork, or design
- Contribute to podcasts, events, or workshops
- Partner on data-sharing or tool development
How do I support the project?
You can contribute through:
- Financial donations
- Equipment sponsorship (e.g. camera, audio gear)
- Logistics support (e.g. accommodation, local transport)
Contribution links are available on project pages, or reach out directly by email.
Are there any rewards or acknowledgments for backers?
Yes — depending on your contribution level, you’ll receive field reports, artwork, digital postcards, live session invites, or public credits.
Data & Tools
Where does your data come from?
We draw from:
- Official embassy and consulate sources
- Crowd-sourced insights from travelers
- Local researchers and field fixers
- Firsthand verification during fieldwork
How reliable are the Visa Index and COVID Dashboard?
We cross-verify data from multiple sources to ensure accuracy. Every update is timestamped, and user feedback helps us correct errors and flag changes.
Always check the official channels for up to date information
Can I use or contribute to these tools?
Yes. Public dashboards are available, and we’re developing open-access datasets. If you're a developer or data designer, get in touch — we welcome collaboration.
Travel & Logistics
Are you travelling alone?
Partly. While much of the journey is solo, different legs are supported by local collaborators who help with documentation, logistics, and creative direction.
What happens if there’s no Wi-Fi or bad weather?
We plan for uncertainty with flexible timelines and offline systems. Live updates may pause — but the work never stops.
Can I invite you to my country or community?
Absolutely — especially if it aligns with the project’s themes (borders, mobility, creative ecosystems). Drop us a line and let’s explore it.
Research & Ethics
How do you ensure ethical storytelling and data collection?
We prioritize consent, context, and collaboration. Every interview, image, and insight is gathered with permission, and we aim to center the voice of the people we meet — not extract from them. When possible, stories are co-authored or reviewed by local contributors.
Is this academic research?
Not in the traditional sense. Rooots & Routes is practice-led and community-informed. While we use rigorous methods, the output is often narrative, visual, or tool-based — not journal articles or white papers.
How do you deal with risk and sensitive topics?
Carefully. We map out risk scenarios in advance, use aliases when needed, and never publish data that could endanger participants. We also adapt based on local advice — what’s safe in one country may be risky in another.
Background & Context
Where did the idea for Rooots & Routes come from?
It grew out of years of working with artists, travelers, and organizers who faced invisible barriers: visa refusals, digital exclusion, bureaucratic blockades. Rooots & Routes began as a way to document those patterns — and build alternatives.
Is this a one-time project or ongoing?
It’s ongoing. While the initial phase has a defined timeline, the network, tools, and insights are designed to grow. We’re building something that can be sustained and adapted by others.
Partnerships & Media
Can I interview or feature you in media?
Absolutely — media collaborations are welcome, especially those that highlight African mobility, creative resistance, or digital justice. Reach out via our contact page for press kits and availability.
Can I use your visuals or text in my own work?
Most public-facing content is under a Creative Commons license. Just credit us properly and avoid remixing in ways that distort the original meaning. If in doubt, ask.
▶ The Name
Why is it spelled Rooots with three O’s?
The triple O reflects the multiplicity of origins and destinations. It nods to roots in ancestry, routes in movement, and the open loops we follow in search of belonging. It’s also a gentle rebellion against tidy branding. Also the domain was taken.
2025 (c) The Travelling Studio. All Rights Reserved
