Traversing the DRC Solo Overland - Stumbling Into a Genocide

Many travelers brag that they are "adventurous" because they bag a famous peak, visit Vietnam, or eat escargot. Although I celebrate anyone who pushes their travel limits, let's calibrate our definition of adventurous. My definition of an adventurous traveler is Francois Xavier Paradis-Garneau.He's a 23-year-old intrepid Canadian who got the BBC's attention when he became the first Western tourist to do the ring road around Afghanistan after the Taliban took over.In 2022, he upped the ante with an even more ambitious trip: a 3-month traverse of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), from Angola to Uganda.I've driven across half of the DRC (from Uganda to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic). Therefore, I have an idea of what he had to go through. Watch this episode on YouTube!This is part 1 of a 4-part series.In this episode, learn why Garneau did his trek and how he accidentally traversed through an area while a genocide was in progress.See photos and read his epic report on this insane trip.More infoTo leave an anonymous voicemail that I could use on the podcast, go to SpeakPipe.com/FTaponYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at http://wanderlearn.com.If you like this podcast, subscribe and share! On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:FacebookTwitterYouTubeInstagramTiktokLinkedInPinterestTumblrMy Patrons sponsored this show!Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron at http://Patreon.com/FTaponRewards start at just $2/month!Affiliate linksStart your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!In the USA, I recommend trading crypto with Kraken. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe