Planning, Preparation, and Training
Walking across Africa is an incredible undertaking that requires careful planning, preparation, and training. Based on Mario Rigby's journey, here's an itinerary that could help you plan your own walking adventure across Africa:

Preparation and Training
​Before embarking on your journey, it's essential to prepare and train adequately. This includes getting in shape, selecting the right gear, and familiarizing yourself with the culture and customs of the places you'll be visiting. Here are some steps you can take to prepare:
  • Research the route you plan to take and familiarize yourself with the culture and customs of the countries you'll be visiting.
  • Make sure you have the necessary vaccinations and visas for the countries you'll be traveling through.
  • Select the right gear, including sturdy walking shoes, a backpack, and lightweight camping equipment.
  • Train by going on long walks, hiking trips, and practicing camping and survival skills.

Travel
Mario Rigby's journey took him from Cape Town, South Africa, to Cairo, Egypt. This route covers approximately 12,000 kilometres and passes through 8 countries. Here's a breakdown of the journey by country:

South Africa
Start your journey in Cape Town and head northeast towards Johannesburg. This route will take you through beautiful coastal towns, such as Knysna and Durban, before heading inland towards the Kruger National Park.

Mozambique
After crossing the border from South Africa, continue north towards the capital city of Maputo. Along the way, you can visit Tofu and some incredible whale watching sites.

Malawi
From Mozambique, cross the border into Malawi and walk towards the capital city. Along the way, you can visit Lake Nyasa.

Tanzania
Crossing the border from Malawi, continue north towards Tanzania. Here, you can visit the Serengeti National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.

Kenya
From Tanzania, cross the border into Kenya and head towards Nairobi. Along the way, you can visit the Maasai Mara National Reserve and the Amboseli National Park.

Ethiopia
After crossing the border from Kenya, continue towards Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. Along the way, you can visit Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls.

Sudan
From Ethiopia, cross the border into Sudan and head towards the capital city of Khartoum. Along the way, you can visit the Meroe Pyramids and the Red Sea.

Egypt
Crossing the border from Sudan, continue towards the final destination of Cairo. Along the way, you can visit the ancient city of Luxor and the pyramids of Giza.

Cost
The cost of a journey like this will vary depending on the route you take, the length of your journey, and the level of comfort you require. Here are some expenses to consider:
  • Travel expenses, including flights, visas, and transportation within African cities or towns.
  • Accommodation, which can include camping equipment, hotels, and guesthouses.
  • Food and water, which will vary depending on where you are and the availability of resources.
  • Gear, including hiking boots, backpacks, and camping equipment.

What to Look Forward To
Walking across Africa is an incredible adventure that offers many unique experiences. Here are some highlights to look forward to:
  • Beautiful scenery, from the coastal towns of South Africa to the ancient pyramids of Egypt.
  • Cultural experiences, including meeting locals and experiencing their customs and traditions.
  • Wildlife, including the famous Big Five (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, and leopard) and other rare and exotic species.
  • Personal
EQUIPMENT AND GEAR

Clothing:
  • Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
  • Lightweight, breathable clothing that can be layered for changing temperatures
  • Sun hat or cap
  • Sunglasses
  • Warm jacket or fleece for cold nights
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Swimwear (for beaches and swimming holes)
Camping and Survival Equipment:
  • Lightweight, sturdy backpack
  • Tent
  • Sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • Cooking stove and fuel
  • Cookware (pot, pan, utensils, plates, and cups)
  • Water filter or purification tablets
  • First-aid kit
  • Multitool or knife
  • Headlamp or flashlight
  • Map and compass
  • Solar-powered charger or power bank
  • Whistle
  • Insect repellent
  • Bear spray (if traveling through areas with bears)
Other Essentials:
  • Passport and visa
  • Vaccination records
  • Travel insurance
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Personal identification
  • Water bottle
  • Snacks and high-energy foods
  • Guidebook or phrasebook
  • Camera and extra batteries
  • Pen and paper
  • Cell phone with GPS and offline maps
Remember to pack as light as possible and only bring the essentials. You'll be carrying everything on your back, so it's important to prioritize lightweight, high-quality gear.
TRAINING

Here are some tips on how to prepare yourself physically and mentally for the journey:

1. Build Endurance:
Walking across Africa is a long-distance endeavor that requires excellent cardiovascular endurance. Start with shorter walks and gradually increase your distance over time. Aim to walk for several hours at a time, building up to at least 6-8 hours of continuous walking per day.

2. Train with Weight:
Since you'll be carrying all your gear on your back, it's important to train with weight to simulate the conditions you'll be experiencing on the journey. Start with a lighter load and gradually add more weight to your backpack until you're carrying the same amount of weight you plan to carry on your journey.

3. Strength Training:
Building core strength and upper body strength can help you carry your backpack and navigate difficult terrain. Include exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, and planks in your training routine.

4. Practice Walking on Different Terrain:
Africa has varied terrain, so it's essential to practice walking on different surfaces such as hills, sand, and rocky terrain. This will help you build balance, coordination, and stability.
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5. Mental Preparation:
Walking across Africa is not just physically demanding, it's also mentally challenging. You'll need to stay motivated and focused on your goals. Visualize your journey, set goals, and practice mindfulness and meditation to help you stay mentally strong.
Remember, training is not just about physical fitness, it's also about mental preparedness. Keep a positive attitude, stay motivated, and be persistent in your training, and you'll be ready for the challenge of walking across Africa.

When did you start your journey?
I left Canada out of Toronto on November 23rd. It took 14 hours to get to Cape Town, arriving on the 24th of November. This was a significant day for me since it's also my birthday.
What was the distance of the walk?
12,000 Km (calculations based on flat terrain)
How long did it take you to walk the length of Africa?
Two years and three months (27 months, 822 days, 19,728 hours, 71,020,800 seconds)
Did you use any other forms of transport?
Only foot and kayak were my modes of transportation. No motor vehicles were used except a 100 km stretch between Save River, Mozambique where I was forced to join a military convoy due to rebel conflicts.
Did anyone join you?
This was a solo expedition however strangers did join me for short and long periods along the way, including my now friends Charlotte, Charlie, and Francesco.
How much did this cost
Roughly $20,000 from start to finish. I lived on $3 to $5 a day on my walking expeditions.
Was it safe?
Safe as possible. I was prepared. 
Where did you sleep?
The homes of strangers, camping in the wild, schools, and charitable organizations along my route.
Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Turks and Caicos Islands and raised in Germany. I returned to Turks for a few years after living in Germany and eventually moved to Toronto, Canada where I currently live.
What are your hobbies?
Mainly sports, art, and adventure seeking. I competed in competitive track and field at an international and university level.
What did bring with you on your expedition?
​I brought my backpack, a couple pants, a few shirts, underwear, socks, survival kits (which held emergency first aid supplies), as well as a survival knife. Also water, food, rations, a sleeping bag/pad, tent, extra comfortable shoes, a portable stove fire kit and of course the electronics that helped me make the posts I shared on social media and to connect with my friends and family, plus a GPS. I only use my smartphone to do all the things that I need to do with electronics.
Did you have a sponsorship?
The expedition for the most part was not sponsored until I arrived in Sudan. Western Union approached me for sponsorship for the last two countries which I agreed to. Thank you for the support! Here are links to my Western Union campaign: Campaign link
What foods did you eat?
I ate would the locals ate and it varied drastically from country-to-country. The tape of food I would carry with me were things like dates, dried fruits, and instant noodles crushed into a bag. ​
What were some your most memorable moments?
Some of the most memorable moments came from spending time with with the youth and encouraging them to do what they strive to be. Other memorable moments include witnessing historical sites in Zanzibar with a head in the East African slave trade and learning more about the the history in Egypt. I did a special charity work case with UNHCR and Forest Whitaker where we had talks with former child soldiers who escaped from South Sudan and now hold refuge in Uganda.