On 27th September 2009 Dennis Warner accompanied by Paul McClelland travelled to Africa on his latest adventure. The plan was to cycle from Uganda to Zambia via Rwanda, Burundi, possibly the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania.
- The adventure begins from the ‘Pearl of Africa’ - Uganda
- Mountains and beautiful lakes abound - Rwanda
- Unpredictable and foreboding - Democratic Republic of Congo
- Seldom visited due to recent conflicts - Burundi
- Wild and remote - Tanzania
- Home of Victoria Falls - Zambia
- Wildlife in abundance - Botswana
It involved over 3,500 miles of cycling across some of the most challenging terrain in the world. As well as encounters with the natural wildlife (not too close we hope) there will be visits to Lake Victoria, the source of the mighty River Nile. White water rafting and kayaking are high on the list of priorities. The journey will end at Livingstone in Zambia, close to Victoria Falls. Read about the adventures in each country:
Paul's new bike - ready for the Africa challenge
Paul McClelland will be joining Dennis on this trip. It will be Paul’s first big adventure to Africa by bicycle. Paul is a keen runner and a long standing member of the Harwich Runners. Having completed numerous marathons and triathlons, fitness will not be a problem for Paul. This will be Paul’s first opportunity to return to Africa since his successful climbs of both Mt. Kenya and Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Dennis is pleased that Paul will be joining him as it means that if the lions start to give chase he only has to outrun Paul and not the lions.
All glammed up ready for Africa
Countdown to departure:
1 day to go (Saturday):
- Final gear check.
- Diane’s 50th birthday party and farewell party.
- Started taking anti-malaria tablets.
3 days to go (Thursday):
4 days to go (Wednesday):
- Bike dismantled and packed in bike bag. (19kgs)
- All other gear packed weighed and ready for flight. (19.8kgs)
- Everything prepared. Ready to roll.
5 days to go (Tuesday):
- Completed shopping. (Yippee)
- Had suspect tooth inspected and refilled.
- Last night at running club.
6 days to go (Monday):
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Travel insurance activated. ‘World Nomads’.
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Shopping for bike spares and other gear. (I hate shopping)!
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Visited the dentist again. Slight pain in a tooth!
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Collected initial spending money.
2 weeks to go:
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Completed last shift at work (Thursday) until 5th January 2010
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Started to assemble gear and compiling shopping list for next week.
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Collected medical supplies from surgery. See ‘medical provisions’.
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Completed final bike preparations. Practiced changing spokes and overhauled bearings.
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Printed up copies of passport, contact cards and spare ID photos.
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Checked tent, stove, sleeping bag and mosquito net.
3 weeks to go:
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Third and final Rabies vaccination. This completes all the vaccinations required.
4 weeks to go:
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Meningitus vacination.
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Cholera vacination.
5 weeks to go:
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Typhoid vacination.
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Dental check-up.
6 weeks to go:
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Second Rabies vacination.
7 weeks to go:
- First Rabies vacination.
8 weeks to go:
- Dismantled bike and checked fit for bike-bag.
11 weeks to go:
- Checked luggage carriage requirements for flight.
- Ordered bike-bag.
- Checked visa requirements for Africa.
12 weeks to go:
- Testing out helmetcam.
- Overhauled cooking stove and replaced parts.
- Gear check with Paul.
13 weeks to go:
- Received vacinations for Polio; Diphthiria; Tetanus & Hepatitis B.
- Booked Rabies vacinations and made dental check-up appointment.
- Ordered cycle helmet video camera.