African Wanderlust: Across Colonial Africa by Jeep

by Andy Larson

In 1962 at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, a young Canadian television writer and his artist friend were prowling the docks in Montreal in search of a munitions ship headed for blockaded Cuba. Their goal was to sign on as crewmen, as a first step in their planned journey of adventure around the world. Instead, they find themselves signed on to a Norwegian freighter bound for Africa. Thus began a journey that took them from Montreal to Capetown South Africa, and finally by jeep through thirteen countries of colonial Africa to Cairo, and on to thirty other countries. On the way, they drive through countries in turmoil, walk into the middle of a riot, travel to remote locations, meet fascinating tribes, sleep on the ground, get chased by elephants, attempt to climb Kilimanjaro, and camp on the Serengeti Plains during the great animal migrations. Falling in love with Africa, its' peoples, its' animals, its' incredible scenery, and intriguing cultures, makes an engaging tale, as two city boys from the Canadian prairies talk their way through border controls as they head north on the toughest route they can find, in a battered jeep and with little money.

302 pages, Paperback

First published February 26, 2010

Reviews

[James Crabtree · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book! Larson tells the story of how he and a friend travel across Canada to catch a ride to Europe by way of a freighter leaving from Montreal. When that plan falls through they wind up working on a Norwegian ship bound for South Africa. There the two men are treated like experts in the field of advertising because they worked at a television studio in Canada. The observations of life under apartheid and the adventures the two men shared as they later made their way across Africa make for great reading. It made me wish I had been this crazy when I was that age!

The only issue I had with the book were a few typos and some very minor layout issues. Illustrated with black and white photos

[Alison]

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