The Route

The 10,000-kilometre expedition will take me through an array of diverse landscapes, starting with the dense forests and mountains of Rwanda and Uganda along the Congo Nile Trail, before traversing the rugged terrain of Tanzania, where steep slopes and lush tea plantations await. From there, I will journey through the semi-arid plains of Zambia and Zimbabwe, then across the dramatic desert dunes of Namibia, ultimately reaching the vibrant coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa, with its iconic mountain ranges.

To learn more about the landscapes I will be traversing, please refer to the drop-downs:

  • Capital: Kigali

    Landscape: Mountainous terrain with rolling hills and elevations ranging from 950m to 4,507m (Mount Karisimbi).

    Fun Fact: Rwanda has one of the highest percentages of women in parliament globally, at over 60%.

  • Capital: Kampala

    Landscape: Diverse elevations from lowland savannahs to the towering Rwenzori Mountains.

    Fun Fact: Lake Victoria s the largest tropical lake in the world.

  • Capital: Nairobi

    Landscape: A diverse landscape that includes both challenging climbs and smooth, expansive plains.

    Fun Fact: Kenya is Africa's leading tea producer, contributing nearly 50% of the continent's total output and making it a global tea powerhouse.

  • Capital: Dodoma

    Landscape: Tanzania's landscape is marked by steep slopes and high altitudes.

    Fun Fact: Tanzania was the first African country to join the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

  • Capital: Lilongwe

    Landscape: Rolling hills, plateaus, and the serene shores of Lake Malawi.

    Fun Fact: Lake Malawi is the world’s ninth-largest lake and contains more fish species than any other body of freshwater.

  • Capital: Maputo

    Landscape: Rugged mountains inland, with vast areas of tropical forests and wetlands.

    Fun Fact: Maputo is considered one of the most cosmopolitan cities in East Africa.

  • Capital: Harare

    Landscape: The landscape offers both open savannahs and dense forests.

    Fun Fact: Zimbabwe’s Great Zimbabwe ruins, the largest stone ruins in sub-Saharan Africa, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • Capital: Lusaka

    Landscape: The terrain is open, with some mountain ranges and lush floodplains in national parks.

    Fun Fact: In the late 19th century, the Barotse King Lewanika asked missionaries to teach practical skills, like farming and carpentry, instead of just focusing on religion.

  • Capital: Windhoek

    Landscape: The terrain is arid and remote, with towering sand dunes and sparse vegetation.

    Fun Fact: The Namib Desert is one of the oldest deserts on Earth, with some dunes reaching heights of over 300 meters.

  • Capital: Cape Town

    Landscape: Semi-desert Karoo, rugged mountain ranges, and dramatic coastal cliffs.

    Fun Fact: South Africa’s Table Mountain, a flat-topped mountain, has one of the richest plant kingdoms on Earth.

Camping Strategy

I will be wild camping for most of this expedition, drawing on years of experience camping across Europe, Malawi, Benin, and Zambia.

In countries where wild camping is permitted and feasible, I’ll set up camp in remote locations, carrying all necessary equipment to remain self-sufficient. Whenever possible, I will camp within local communities, with permission. In areas where wild camping is restricted or unsafe, I’ll stay in roadside accommodations or with hosts, adapting to local circumstances.

Some regions will require heightened awareness and caution, especially when camping in wilderness areas where wildlife or remoteness presents unique challenges. In urban areas and cities, I’ll be staying at backpackers or lodges while engaging with key organisations and building partnerships while taking short recovery breaks from the arduous journey.