I’ll be bikepacking the length of Africa, starting in September 2025. I’m looking for two adventurous people to join me for the cycling expedition!
There are two potential routes. Option A is East Africa, from Cairo to Cape Town. Countries travelled through would include Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Current unrest in Sudan would make this journey not possible, however September is a while away and things change quickly.
Option B is West Africa; Tangier (Morocco) to Cape town – roughly following the coast. I am familiar with half of this route, having driven it last year and therefore would be more inclined to go with option A if possible.
The trip duration would be approximately 9 months for option A and 11 months for option B, but this is an open-ended timeframe. This adventure is not attempting any time records, it is flexible and self-supported. Expect a mix of wild camping, guesthouses and occasional splurges for comfort.
It will not only be cycling, some days will be spent absorbing local culture. I will be videoing the adventure so ideally you are happy with being in front of the camera occasionally.
Requirements:
Experience with expeditions of some capacity is important, I would be keen to hear what adventurous you have been on. Ideally, you’ve done multi-day bikepacking before or similar. If not, a sense of adventure and perseverance is just as good. If your easy going and up for a challenge then great – this will not be smooth sailing, expect deserts, mountains, savannahs and coastal roads.
Basic bike maintenance, navigation and outdoor skills are important.
A good level of fitness of course – long days in the saddle.
This is self-funded. Having a budget of at least £20 a day would be good. However, if you have any sponsorship information then I would be keen to hear.
I am based in the UK, so ideally you would be in the UK between now and September for a couple days of cycling.
This journey may present legitimate risks, Some areas have serious security and health threats - its important to be aware of this. That said, many cyclists have completed similar journeys safely with proper preparation.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, I look forward to hearing from you. Tell me about yourself – what is your expedition experience? What skills can you contribute to the team? How come this journey interests you?
Please drop me a message at: ash76@cam.ac.uk
Arthur