In January 2023, I set off on an extraordinary journey. It lasts 18 months and spans 20 African countries, from the freezing temperatures of the Atlas mountains to the scorching sun of the two largest African deserts. My curiosity brought me deep into the equatorial rainforest, where I got chased by wild forest elephants and ran after lowland silverback gorillas. However, accompanied by many misfortunes like being robbed twice and catching many tropical diseases, I’m here to tell the story.

In the presentation, I would like to discuss the West Coast of Africa from a different perspective. What does it mean to travel to Africa on a bicycle? How is the security situation? How can you stay safe and healthy? What should you do and what not to do? How is it to cycle the north of Nigeria, CAR or DRC? In this presentation, I want to bring you the reality of the Dark Continent.

Tomas Diera:
Little about me: I am a former researcher from Copenhagen University with a specialisation in Analytical chemistry. Originally from Slovakia, I have lived around the world, including NYC and New Zealand, for the last decade.