Walking Cape to Cairo

BRAVE MAN: Canadian adventurer Mario Rigby stopped over in East London last week on his journey from Cape Town to Cairo in Egypt. The south-to-north trip will see him trek up the east coast of Africa Picture: QHAMANI LINGANI / BIG ADVENTURE: Mario Rigby has already seen some beautiful scenery on his route from Cape Town, down the coast to East London, where he stopped over last week. He has seen the Leopard’s Kloof waterfalls in Betty’s Bay and is seen here on the rocks at the southernmost tip of Africa Pictures: SUPPLIED
Walking from one province to another seems like a big deal, but walking from one point of the continent to the other is a really big deal.
Mario Rigby from Toronto, Canada plans to trek across the entire African continent from Cape Town to Cairo in Egypt by foot and paddle boat only.
This is a rigorous 30-month journey that will cover uncharted terrain across 12 countries and a diverse range of environments, including deserts, jungles and areas of civil unrest.
Rigby was in East London last week as part of his trip and said that the journey so far had been challenging but worth every second.
“Someone asked me 10 years ago what my dream was and what I would do if money was not a problem and my answer was, ‘I’d tour the world’. So I am living my dream right now,” he said.
“The only way to truly know who you are is to challenge yourself and to push your body and mind to breaking point. In such circumstances, your true character, strength and weakness will be revealed. Unfortunately, most people will never find out who they truly are as they are constrained by fear of the unknown.
“I aim to push my personal limits by exploring the vast continent of Africa, and exploring new ideologies along the way. This adventure will allow me to see life as it was truly meant to be – free, miraculous and full of grandeur.”
Rigby said he also wanted to connect with different people in different places, meet new faces and build relationships.
“I met two girls from Germany in Jeffreys Bay and when I got to East London I told them that I was here. They were already in Johannesburg, but they came here to see me off.
“These are the kinds of relationships I am talking about,” he said.
After the journey, Rigby wants to write two books, one on overcoming fear and the other on how to survive if someone ever wanted to follow in his footsteps.
The former triathlete and model told the GO! that he left behind his mother and younger brother and their relationship has grown from strength to strength because they communicate more.
The journey has created a strong bond between them, he said.
The 30-year-old celebrated his birthday last year when he landed in Cape Town to embark on this journey and he said it was the best birthday gift ever.
He walks between 30 and 50km a day with a 30kg backpack containing everything he will need.
He left East London on Saturday and his next destination was Glengariff.
BY QHAMANI LINGANI