Japanese man travels across Africa by foot
East Coast Radio caught up with Gump Suzuki, a Japanese man who is travelling across Africa by foot – his final destination is Cape Town.
What’s the furthest you’ve ever had to walk? Well, no matter your answer, it's probably nothing compared to the incredible journey of Japanese content creator, Gump Suzuki.
Six months ago, Suzuki set out on an ambitious journey from China with one bold goal: to cross Africa and reach Cape Town. Armed with a rickshaw, he’s been documenting his daily journey on TikTok, sharing each step of the way with his followers.
East Coast Radio caught up with Suzuki to learn more about his epic journey, and he was thrilled to share his experience with us.
This long journey isn’t Suzuki's first. When asked why he chose Cape Town as his destination, he explained, “Actually, I've been travelling through Asia, Europe, Australia and USA until now. I want to travel five continents by foot with the rickshaw. That's why I came! And journeying is my life. I wanted to go to Cape of Good Hope, and I wanted it to be a journey that would bring hope to everyone.”
Indeed, Suzuki’s journey has inspired hope for his 500K-plus followers. Over the past six months, he’s explored countries like Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Botswana, and Namibia – and now, he’s finally arrived in South Africa.
The highlight of his trip has been exploring the breathtaking landscapes and connecting with the incredible people who have supported him along the way. He’s even had the chance to meet a few fellow Japanese people along the way.
So, what’s next for Suzuki when he reaches Cape Town?
“I'll stay here for five days. I'll head back to Japan on the 31st of January,” he told East Coast Radio.
While his adventure has been an exciting one, it hasn’t come without its challenges.
Suzuki recalled the worst day of his trip, saying, “I broke my rickshaw in an accident with a truck in Zambia. I went to a bike repair shop and fixed it. Of course, the truck was fine and nothing was damaged. I'm also okay because I'm still alive.”
@rickshaws ザンビアの奇跡！！！#アフリカ縦断 #ガンプ鈴木 #ザンビア #奇跡 ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - ガンプ鈴木 人力車の旅人
Suzuki finally reached South Africa on December 28, 2024, marking the final stretch of his incredible journey to Cape Town. As he's made his way through our country, he's been welcomed by many of his followers, who have greeted him with snacks, drinks, and prayers.
Reflecting on his time in South Africa so far, Suzuki said, “The people are so kind and friendly to me. They always make my heart warm.”
He plans to reach Cape Town on January 26, 2025, but we can't help but wonder – what's next for this intrepid traveller?
“My next adventure is crossing South America by rickshaw," he revealed to East Coast Radio.
@rickshaws アフリカ縦断179日目ラストナミビア🇳🇦 #アフリカ縦断 #南アフリカ #ナミビア #au ♬ オリジナル楽曲 - ガンプ鈴木 人力車の旅人
Suzuki’s story is truly inspiring, demonstrating the incredible power of determination and dedication in achieving the unimaginable.
Walking over 6,000km across a foreign continent “for fun” is no small feat, yet Suzuki has proven that with the right mindset, even the most ambitious goals are within reach. His journey has shown us not only that it's possible, but also that it can be an immensely rewarding experience.
To follow Suzuki's inspiring adventure, find him on TikTok at @rickshaws and Instagram at @gumpsuzuki.
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