I Solo Hiked 7,500 Miles from Cape Town to Cairo—and Found Connection at Every Step

Jun 12, 2025

Mario Rigby, an eco-explorer and former professional athlete from Turks and Caicos, shares his awe-inspiring journey of walking 7,500 miles from Cape Town to Cairo. He discusses the transformative power of travel and the importance of sustainable tourism. Mario recounts pivotal moments, like a dog attack in Sudan that led to a TEDx talk and the warm hospitality he experienced along the way. He reflects on reverse culture shock and the urgent need for responsible travel practices, emphasizing genuine connections with local cultures.

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ANECDOTE

Black Panther Inspired Walking Journey

Mario was inspired by a Black Panther TV show episode where the character goes on a walkabout to learn about his people.
He decided to create his own coming-of-age journey by walking the length of Africa to discover himself and the world.

ANECDOTE

Local Companion Boosts Journey Start

On day one of his walk, a local Mozambican joined Mario unexpectedly and carried his backpack, uplifting his spirits.
This spontaneous connection transformed the journey from a daunting challenge to an exciting adventure.

ANECDOTE

Dog Attack and Sudanese Hospitality

In Sudan, Mario was attacked by wild dogs, resulting in a serious knee injury and a prolonged hospital stay.
During recovery, he experienced immense hospitality and kindness from locals, staying in people's homes and receiving care.

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When Turks and Caicos native Mario Rigby landed in Cape Town with nothing but a backpack, a pair of worn-in sneakers, and a dream to walk the length of Africa, he thought maybe he'd made the worst mistake of his life. But actually walking across Africa? That brought peace and a deeper understanding of the power of hospitality, movement, and self discovery.

In this episode of Travel Tales by Afar, Mario shares how walking 7,500 miles permanently changed the way he travels—and lives. Plus, we dive into what sustainable tourism really looks like and the aftermath of reverse culture shock.

7,500 Miles: From Cape Town to Cairo

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why Turks and Caicos is a microcosm for the power of sustainable tourism.
What it’s like to cross the white desert in Egypt.
How local culture in Cape Town, Sudan, and El Salvador reshaped Mario’s perspective on travel.

An Epic Sojourn, With A Little Help From Locals

[02:50] This childhood TV show planted the seed for adventure, before it was famous.

[08:38] The local encounter that changed everything on day one.

[14:41] When a dog attack in Sudan led to a Tedx talk.

[22:19] What happens next? Reverse culture shock and the need for adventure.

What Traveling Should Be All About

Eco-explorer and former professional athlete, Mario Rigby has travel in his blood. Born in Turks and Caicos, raised in Germany, and now living in Canada, Mario’s expeditions focus on sustainability and human connection.

In this episode you’ll hear how a walk from Cape Town to Cairo, guided him to a lifestyle of adventurous movement, that included biking across North America and living among Algeria’s nomadic tribes.

Resources:

Read the transcript of this episode

Learn more about Mario’s work on his website.

Follow Mario on Instagram: @mariorigby

Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠Behind the Mic⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, ⁠Unpacked⁠, which unpacks a tricky topic in travel each week.

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