Cape to Cairo -- by trains. Travelogue documentary.
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 12 фев 2020
- English subtitles available (click CC).
In 2018, I travelled solo on the classic Cape Town to Cairo route using trains as much as possible. Along the way I interviewed people on each train on subjects ranging from cross-border trade to the historic context of this train route.
As of 2023, post-covid, there are no long-distance passenger trains running in South Africa and Zimbabwe, nor in Botswana and Namibia. And, Sudan is in a state of war, so the Cape to Cairo by train route is not currently feasible.
Read about all my African travels in my book, "African Traveller: Twenty years of adventures as a documentary filmmaker" -- a.co/d/cXeq1vK
Your videos are so horribly under viewed...this is one of the best train journeys I have seen.
Thanks for your comment!
I agree! Beautiful!
@@MichaelTaylor-ei7es😢8😅
I agree. This was really great. Thank you.
thought exactly the same! Such a welcoming change to the typical youtube travel vlog.
I was born in Kenya 80 years ago and still live here. An overnight journey on the old Nairobi to Mombasa train was an exotic affair, filled with excitement and adventure. The new Chinese train does get you there, but all the romance has gone.....alas!!
I agree!!! We did the Nairobi to Kisumu route often and I loved it. It's one of the losses in life that I still lament about
@@graceweiss3813Nairobi Kisumu train is back and strong
Mwanza to Daressalaam by train in Tanzania 🇹🇿 was thrilling as a student! Now fhey are constructing an SGR whose speed will be 160 miles per hour!!
Some Kenyans have become very negative, we enjoyed travelling by the SGR, we travelled about 3 times, the old rail way was not exotic at all, very slow if anything.
What was life like in Kenya when you were a boy/young man? Did many tourists travel there? Was it more rural then? Was it safe politically and in regards to crime?
One of the best documentaries I've ever seen. What I've taken from it is that I have to keep moving.
Thanks for your comments! Cheers.
Neil: what a wonderful film, so different from much of what social media generates! While you honestly share a part of yourself you're not self-absorbed and self-congratulatory like so many vloggers. You're interested in the people you meet and the places you pass through, rather than the superficial details of the transport itself. Thank you for reminding me of some past travel I've done, and for inspiring me to continue to be truly adventurous even as I get older.
Thanks very much for your comments. I appreciate it. Look out for my next rail travel adventure video -- out in April! Bon voyage.
In 1963, my family travelled from Ndola to Cape Town by train. Then aged 7, it was a fantastic adventure for me. It took 5 days, and the train crossed the Vic Falls bridge but we went through what was then Bechuanaland (Botswana), then on to Kimberly before the great traverse of the beautiful Karoo.
Back then (Colonial times) the trains were fantastic and all pulled by steam engines. On one leg we had two locomotives pulling the carriages of what was a very long train (combined passenger and freight).
I recall staff in starched-white jackets serving excellent food in the dining cars and mealtimes were announced by a waiter pacing through the carriages chiming a gong - a sort of xylophone with 5 keys.
One hopes that African countries will manage to revive these journeys and encourage tourism, because these journeys are unique.
That must have been a wonderful trip for a 7yr old. But, alas , no offense to you and your probably wonderful family. All I can think of when you describe the staff in 1963 is, underpaid, abused workers. Sorry for this sad, awful memory back in time. Have a wonderful day and please, try not to let my negative comment hold you back from sharing your beautiful memories through life. Thank you , Dankie, Toda raba, stay safe and yes, always enjoy life to the fullest 💗🌍
@@lesliedeneault4633 No offence taken Leslie. You're probably right when it comes to underpaid and undervalued workers in SA back then. In fact, it is a phenomenon very much current in SA. The poor - hopeful after 1994 - remain poor and neglected. And the future for them is bleak.
@@brunosmith6925 Everyone I know, says and feels the same way. The once beautiful RSA is going downhill fast since De Klerk left office. It was very noticeable when I returned after 4yrs of being out of the country from 1991 - 1995. I am truly saddened by what is happening. Thank you for not taking offence to my first response. Have a great day and please stay safe.
I am sure the people who worked on those trains were proud and felt privileged to be employed on those great trains. The modern trend to feel apologetic for bringing modern facilities to those parts of the world that were still in the Stone Age is quite pathetic really. Plenty, most, people in the rest of the world, like the UK, were exploited every bit as much as it is claimed the 'colonials' did to indigenous people - it was called providing employment. If you check the population numbers of Blacks and Whites in South Africa in around 1900 and today, the reason for the difference is that Western medicine and availability of food produced by farmers, mainly Afrikaners, allowed mortality rates to decline exponentially. The current decline in SA and elsewhere seen in this journey has nothing to do with past inequities and everything to do with incompetence, greed and corruption of the new rulers. Now the Chinese are the new colonials, and I wonder if their motives are totally to uplift their African friends and without ulterior motives?
I just watched this on my TV in Michigan on Christmas day... This is a fabulous video, thank you so much 🇿🇦👍🇺🇸
Thanks for your comments! Cheers mate.
@@NeilShawTravels Africa is not a dangerous continent. There’s more pedophiles in Europe than in Africa. A person is killed in Mexico and America ever minute. I love Africa it has clean air beautiful landscapes and natural beauty. Have yourself a good day!
@@nicolepaloms3509 I don't believe Africa is a dangerous continent, nor did I say that in my travelogue. I was concerned about safety in South Africa, my country, and a country which I know well. That is all and that was my only point.
@@NeilShawTravels You did a wonderful job taking us on this wonderful journey, many of us could never afford and , are too scared to take. So, please don't take negative comments to heart. I was born in Cape Town, RSA. Left 27 yrs later, 33ys later, I know that South Africa has gotten very, very dangerous, just like the rest of the world. My family still lives in and across Cape Town, so yeah, to hell with the negative comments from others. You know your Country, thanks again.
thank you for sharing your adventure with me, for 15 years, I worked throughout English-speaking Africa, after liberalisation, I live for two years in South Africa, so I know the continent quite well and your journey brought back happy memories, now at 80 years old with terminal prostate cancer it is so nice to forget my pain with presentation such as yours. Thank you for bringing pleasure to an old man, I wish you well in your future travels, Peter
Hello Peter. Thanks for your message. I am glad you enjoyed the armchair travel. Best wishes to you. Neil.
When I saw the topic in my RUclips feed, I thought I'd watch the first couple of minutes and get the gist. The content was so interesting and well delivered, I couldn't turn it off. This is one of the best rail docos I've seen. Excellent footage, commentary, interviews etc. Thank you for excellent production.
We would like the train from Cape Town to Walvis Bay to run again!
Connecting with people, willingness to listen to their stories. It’s rare qualities these days. People with social media often times are self-absorb minded. But your video are different, or should I say it’s old schooled, like documentary from 80s - 90s that it was used to be. So thank you for sharing your journey with us.
Thanks for your comment. I am old enough to have grown up and been inspired by the travel documentaries from the 80s and 90s!
I would love to watch an extended version of this video. I noticed that there is no timing, how long does each train-trip take?
@@dmitryche8905 Maybe time loosens its grip. For my part I am asking when was this filmed? Answer 2018..
Bulawayo looks like downtown US somewhere in 1965! I love the understated style of this travel film.
@NeilShawTravels, I have loved this travelogue, and would love to know names of some of the travel doccies that inspired you. So many lately are just seriously noisy garish shoutathons.
What an epic journey 🚂 I wish I have the courage to do it too. The best part was you trying to have genuine human interaction with your fellow travelers 👑 You just seem like a kind, genuine guy. It shows in your eyes - they're like pools of calm, clear blue water! May God bless your upcoming journeys and keep you safe🧳☘️
Thank you for your comment! Best wishes to you.
New trains in East Africa will enable a train trip from Cape Town to Cairo? Meanwhile corruption has halted all government passenger trains in South Africa.
Can't agree more 👏
Superb....thank you for opening up so much of the world. Keep going, Neil...
I love this video, amazing trip. One day I will do it Insha Allh.
Abdi Warsame
From Somalia
Insh'Allah
Hnbbe😮😮cc3bn
Thank you, Neil, to you and travellers like you who go thru the hardships of the roads and make it possible for us to see the wonders of the world in the comfort of our sofas.
My first africa trip had been after finishing my university. And i stayed for some years.
Now i will go to Cameroun to meet my future wife! ❤❤❤❤
This video was a real inspiration. I really want to do this trip one day, if possible. At age 71 it might be too much, but I have always thought of Cape Town to Cairo as the ultimate journey.
You only live once, good sir. It is hypocritical for me to say as I am a young adult with my whole life ahead of me, but it’s never too late to give it a try.
Ea by train would be awesome
Please do it if you have the chance! 💕
Try Mombassa to kasese in western uganda. Stops on the way are very interesting and try to get to fort portal and bundibugio sorry maybe bad spelling on the last. Areally doable trip across varying altitude and landforms. There are a few wildlife parks within easy striking distance at several stops along the way. Hope this helps.
I wanted to do the same trip but from Cairo to Capetown in 2000. My travel agent told me it was unsafe and some tracks were under repair. So I opted to do a Overland trip on a Overland truck from Nairobi to Harare, Zimbabwe. I then traveled from Harare to Capetown on buses and taxi. I took a train from Capetown to Johansburgh by train. On my other trips I have covered Egypt and many of the North, East countries. My journey’s through Africa which have been quite a few have been the most memorable in my life. There are still a few African countries I still wish to visit.
The train from dar es salaam to Arusha via Moshi is now running. And last week they started the Nairobi to Kisumu. There is also a train now from Nairobi to Nanyuki.
Interesting. Thanks for the update.
@@NeilShawTravels what happened to the long distance trains in South Africa?
@@jamesrowlands8971 Good question. Vandalism and theft of infrastructure, management issues, crumbling and aging infrastructure, the global shift to road transport... www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-04-20-what-broke-south-african-rail-and-can-it-be-fixed/
@@NeilShawTravels that's a real pity. I hope there's some prospect of it returning. We've lost rail lines and services in Australia too. But usually to "economic rationalisation", which tends to turn out to be short sighted.
Nanyuki , visiting during Uhuru as a soldier from Bahrein in The Persian Gulf. As protection for civilians but we had no weapons ! But independence was not problematic.
"Morning light filters through the train. These rhythmic sounds have become my music. I am in sync with the iron snake." - Beautiful - thanks !🙂
What an amazing journey. Thanks so much for sharing all your experiences from Cape to Cairo.
I'm glad you enjoyed it...
@@NeilShawTravels Hello, please write me what time does the sun rise and set on December 13, 2021 in Cape town? Thank you :)
THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY INSANE!!!!! You are one of the all time great travelers. I enjoyed this immensely. All the best to you.
Thank you for your open & real travel experiences through Africa. I’m grateful YT finally put this video into my mix. This is the reason one travels-meeting and interacting with people, coming to know and learn from them. Bravo!
Neil - this video was pure inspiration for me. Thank you so much for sharing. More than a train journey through our enormous continent....a journey of life!
Well done, mate. Thanks for sharing your journey with me. I enjoyed every moment. Too bad it was only 52 minutes and 12 seconds. There is so much more, I'm sure. You likely could have presented two hours and we would be watching every moment because, like so many of us, most of us are not able to travel to Africa and experience that part of the world. Most of us are working jobs, supporting families and life styles, paying mortgages and so forth which makes people like you so special because you have the means and are willing to take the time to edit an entertaining, informative documentary of your travel through a piece of East Africa to share with we who are essentially couch bound and must view the world vicariously. Watching this presentation was time well spent.
The part in Mozambique was fascinating. I did a long train journey across Kazakhstan last year, which was pretty epic. Interestingly I travelled in one direction (from Almaty westward) on an old Soviet train, which was fascinating. The return journey back to Almaty was on a Spanish built train - certainly smoother and quicker, although less interesting than the older train
such a work of anthropology, culture, history... a beautiful documentary with beautiful people, full of stories, personal histories... landscapes...
very nice portuguese too
The sentral Africa's scenes in this video is like u r filming in the 80's-90s. It's 2020's already n the living is still that way. It's like u go to another time frame. What a unique culture. Well preserved at least to see n experience and it's a gems at the same time that we can travel to somewhere different atmosphere. This is what we look for in travel. Beautiful.
As a resident of Hawaii with a lot of luxury, I really enjoyed watching this. In fact, I had to watch it three times. I was able to watch a part of the world that I am not familiar with.
English geezer in Berlin here. Thanks for sharing your wonderful adventure. Fascinating thought provoking video plus great music. Safe travels bru.
Thanks mate.
this deserves way more views seriously how does ryan get a billion and this not even a million views
Thank you so much from Germany, watching your travelogue while comfortable on my sofa while there is (rare) snow outside. Probably I‘ll never go the routes and trains you did, but a part of your impressions will become part of my memories, memories of things I did not experience myself. Regards Martin
This video is superb. I've been in 7 countries in Africa and a few of the cities Neil showed in the video. His journey brought back some memories and made me want to do more. Thank you Neil for this beautiful travelog of Eastern Africa
I just watched this and saw straight away that it was a professional piece of work. I have done some of the same journey about 60 years ago 😂 so you can guess my age. Great to see the actual experience of travelling in Africa. Thanks for sharing.
wtf this only has 20k views ??//?//////?? Brilliant adventure across the continent much maligned. Beautiful work. Love from India
Very refreshing in terms in terms of content and approach. Best part is, you tell a story without narrating it; you give a message without intending it. The slow Chinese takeover of East Africa is a chilling reminder of how an unscrupulous country exploits the weaknesses of poor and underdeveloped economies to their advantage. All said, enjoyable and eye-opening. Thanks.
Thank you for allowing me to redo my trip of almost two years ago. My trip was in reverse, and only partial. I flew from New York to Heathrow, and with a 10 hour layover took the tube to the waterfront and an excursion up and down the Thames. Or was it down and up? The second leg with the pilot doing his thing first in Swahilli for the mostly Kenyan passengers took me over Egypt and Sudan for what seemed forever. I had planned this 44 day trip for 8 months and wanted as much as possible by train or bus but schedules required intervening flights, and buses and taxis. My aim wasn't the journey, but I will skip describing the two safaris, the Elephant Feeding and Giraffe feeding in Nairobi and the hot air baloon over the Maissa Mara. My trip was partly in reverse, as I planned to take the SGR from Nairobi to Mombasa rather than the other way. Unfortunately I discovered at the ticket booth that the ticket I had paid for months before through a third party had not been purchased. Upon asking a security guard to escort me to the upstairs waiting room for ticketed passengers which had wifi with which to sort things out she used her phone as a hotspot instead. I ended up flying instead, as the train was sold out. After a few days on the beach and having my cheese danish stolen from me in the middle of the restaurant on my first day by a monkey, my next leg was a flight to Zanzibar. I opted out of using a bus because of the time constraint. Sparing the details of my stay in amazing Zanzibar, I took the Kilimangaro ferry to Dar es Salaam and after a few days, including a dinner in a 30th floor revolving restaurant I took the Tazara in the opposite direction as our RUclipsr I expected a 3 day trip despite the scheduled 48 hours. Surprise, it was only 2 hours late. Eat your heart out Amtrak. Not knowing when I would arrive, the only unplanned, unreserved part of my journey was from Kapiri Kposta to Victoria Falls. One cab ride, two buses, sleep in a parked bus at the Lusaka bus station overnight, another bus and three cab rides later I reached my bed and breakfast Pennywise Cottages in Victoria Falls. I had to pay $5.00 for a taxi that was licensed only to carry me from one border post to another across that famous bridge. Being dry season, there was little water to see from the bridge. After a safari in Chobe National Park, Botswana, a Zambize river cruise and a $30 trek to see the Falls, my next leg was a flight to Jo'burg and Guatrain from the airport. My Zimbabwe taxi driver and the Zimbabwean taxi driver in Jo'burg both had Masters degrees. I was excoriated by the Johannesburg driver for my choice of hotel. Turned out to be in Hillbrow. I bravely told him I was from Harlem, so nothing would scare me. He told me I would be mugged between the checkin desk and my room, so he would accompany me to my room. My next leg was the Shosoloza to Capetown and back to Soweto. Next was Ethiopian Air to Nairobi and the next day to Addis Abbaba. After a few days there was a flight to Lalibela. I went by ground as much as possible.
RUclips recommended this documentary , what a journey it has been Neil . Thought Moscow to valdiovostok was the longest train journey on earth , never knew people did this route across Africa.
I am glad you enjoyed it!
A former school friend did the run from Cairo to Capetown by bus about 50 years ago after he graduated from University. Interesting to see the changes (and similarities) from those times. I was never able to replicate the journey when I was able to start travelling later in life. Made the trip as far South in Egypt as Abu Simbel on 1 occasion but was prevented from visiting the Meroitic, Kushitic, Axumite and later Abyssinian Kingdom sites by the interminable wars in the region. Still them's the breaks. I, at least, could enjoy a peaceful existence in my own country. The poor folks there just had to endure the nightmares.
Big Guy. Love you Man. Epic. Live Long & Prosper.
Gosh. What a wonderful documentary. I’ve so often thought what a marvelous adventure and now I’ve seen it. Thank you so much, it’s a real educational. Should be shown in schools! Bravissimo.
Thank you so very much for this great travel film. I never considered the great train ride that is Cape to Cairo, only the Trans Siberian. But of course, the trains run through all the continents! Awesome and inspiring, Neil! From warm yet cloudy Ireland! ☘💪🏽👀👍🏽☘
I never visited Africa, got a beautiful view of the land and people, nice job being so honest and sharing your journey with us thanks❤️🧑🎨
This is one of my favorite RUclips videos of all time
The corridor- compartments layout was the way trains were in Europe. Now they are like airplane, so I guess they can pack more people. I remember those days in the train corridors, smoking and talking with girls I just met.
Superb travelogue. Being an inveterate train traveller myself, I totally agree with your sentiments and comments. I have many fond memories of around 50,000 km, by trains in India during 4 long visits there over the years. Also in Eastern Europe shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It seems as far as security and punctuality go, India is a stroll in the park compared to Africa. How good it would be if Africa could get it together some day.
I loved this documentary. I often wondered if a Cape to Cairo trip is possible by rail.
Thank you
Your shots of the train museum brought back memories of a train journey from Lusaka to Bulawayo in 1967 with a Garrett steam engine doing the work. The rest of the trip was direct to Cape Town using Diesel/Electric.
How wonderful was this video! I had never thought it possible to even attempt to travel by train from Cape Town to Cairo! I really hope that the new East African railway network is actually constructed, so that it will be possible to travel by train from Nairobi to Addis Ababa and on to Khartoum. How wonderful that would be. It was very interesting to see how rail travel in Egypt has changed: fairly fast, comfortable train all the way from Aswan to Cairo now! How different it was in 1976. Thank you, Neil, for making this journey, and filming it. Very much appreciated.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Oh, the trains in Egypt weren't all that exciting in 2000 either. But the people always are. I remember one time, a cargo train full of sugar cane would drive paralell to us, do litterally everone was hanging out of the windowns and ripped out raw sugar cane to then pealed it and ate it. Except me, who just grinned at the show, do they offered me some and showed me how to peal it. Great fun.
Neil - thank you for such a wonderful film. It re-awakened deep memories of my own travels in Africa. One of my teachers said to me: "There are Trippers, Tourists, and Travellers". You are a true Traveller.
If Cecil Rhodes had got his way you would have been able to make that entire journey on one train…
This video is TERRIBLY underrated!
Second of all:
I live in Australia, and Bulawayo and Johannesburg just feel so Australian to me for some reason.
This was one thoroughly enjoyable video. Probably because it was so authentic and unpretentious. Africa is like bilharzia. Once it gets into you it never really goes away. Thank you for sharing with the world.
It was a great pleasure travelling along with you on this journey.
The informal simplicity of the presentation was very touching.
...and the different music every time made the transitions so meaningful.
Looking forward to seeing your other videos.
By the way the growing stubble lent a good travel touch.
Hi Neil, I'm a traveler like you. Thank you for putting this doco together. I liked how you shared stories from the locals, some history and your use of camera angles. Well done.
Bru... Depression is caused by, "when you stop moving..." - This is profound to me.... thank you❤❤❤🇿🇦
Thank-you for sharing. This was such a great story and the idea of riding trains the length of Africa is an amazing adventure and journey.
This is so interesting to watch, im already halfway through the video, but im in absolute awe.
Honestly this takes me back to those childhood memories having to travel with my mom to and fro Pretoria (before the starting point of the Shosholoza meyl was to moved permanently to Johannesburg) to kimberley, festive seasons were never the same, for the long steal worm would have engulfed us inside, enjoying lunch mom would have definitely prepared for us for the entire journey just until we reach Kimberley station, and making our way to Barkley West after getting off the train (still to see family). those are some of the fondest memories that i would not part with nor. I've since started working, bought my first car, still making that journey, but i would do anything to embark on those long hours ride on a train...absolute love.
thanks for sharing this video, you've touched my heart my heart deeply, bringing that smile on my face "Again" 😊❤❤❤😊
Brilliant work. I would never have seen this country but for your efforts which in filming and producing are extraordinary.
Excellent. The film had an air of the romanticism one felt as a child reading Around the World in Eighty Days. In my own small way, I also seek out new people and cultures when travelling. Ethiopia was a country I visited earlier this year. There is potential, but little organisation. Chinese citizens were plentiful in Addis. Even the local night club singers have learnt to sing Chinese songs, and in Chinese.
I haven't enjoyed a You Tube travelogue so much before. Thank you.
Great travel video. This trip would be more treacherous now than when you did it. Unfortunately, so much of the world is becoming more dangerous, not less.
I admire the courage of this gentleman. Once I thought about travelling from Algeria ro South Africa on a VW in 1978, it is good that I did not do it because most likely I would have failed within a few hundred if not 1000's miles. I could not have fixed the vehicle, perhaps there were no gas (petrol) stations on the way over there, and above all there were no road from Algeria to South Africa. A lot has changed during the last 40 years, but not that much, but wait, people are still nice & friendly. Go, if you can unless you are an old person (+75) and only if this Virus goes away.
Yay Ponte. Lived there in 76.
Thank you for the appropriate soundtract music...it enhanced your story-telling and provided realism to your various locations. Keep traveling by train
What an epic journey! Thank you for sharing this gem...so inspiring, educational, moving...Beautifully narrated and artistically made, you manage to take us with you from the first moment. Hope we can see more of these journeys through your gaze at the world...Keep up this excellent work!
I've always been fascinated by the railways if Africa , Thank you for sharing this with us.
Glad you enyoyed it!
What an amazing journey.. hope you can keep on going and sharing
This is an absolutely incredible documentary.. I hope to adventure through africa by train at least once in my life!
Neil is one brave dude and I congratulate him.
Indeed a challenging Journey, but, have to admit worth remembering a lifetime with all the memories you had along the way, esp the people you met and their stories. The geography and a small glimpse at the cultures. Africa as a whole is a beautiful continent, credit to a RUclipsr called @umatelugutraveller an Indian who went to work in Mali and later turned into a full-time RUclipsr and covered most of Africa. It is through his videos my view towards Africa completely changed. I hope in the future Cape to Cario Rail Network becomes seamless.
ok im officially putting this on my bucket list
Excellent video and journey. I enjoyed watching this. Thanks.
Thank you for this wonderful video. I am so impressed with anyone who dares to travel by train through Africa, just to show us the beauty of this Country. If I have to be honest, there were times I was fearful for your life, but you stuck it out and have one hell of a beautiful tick on your bucket list of adventures. Thank you once again for showing me what I am losing out on due to stupid fear. Dankie 💗🌍
Newspapers/TV will have you love the oppressor and hate the oppressed.... All you need in Africa is a free spirit and a good heart..... You have nothing to fear
Thank you, Neil, for sharing your journey with us. I have done my share of "rough traveling" in the past, but I couldn't do it now. We got to experience Africa vicariously through you.
This is wonderful. Thank you for creating it.
I have to say, I really enjoyed this and is the kind of RUclips video/doc I wish people appreciated more!
Wow, what a journey! Thank you for taking us along!❤
How do you have fewer than 5000 subscribers? I’ve only just started watching but you seem so thoughtful and your cinematography and storytelling are excellent! Cant wait to watch the rest of your videos.
What a fantastic video of a trip of a lifetime. Great work!
THANKS KEEP IT UP FOR THE SAKE OF HUMANITY LOVE KINDNESS
fascinating video. I was expecting more train breakdowns, or delays but the Chinese have built so many railways in the country they were minimal. The food sellers on the line appeared to be selling good quality produce. I saw many good images of Africa, more than I expected and was interested to see how big the cities are. it would be great if there were a full integrated railway the length of Africa both for tourism and for commuting. The Chinese appear to be doing so much for this country, but there could yet be a price to pay. British and other western countries would not be allowed to do this because of their connection with colonialism.
China is now the preminent global power, and their business interests span the globe, not just Africa.
Africa is not a country. It is a continent comprising 54 separate countries.
Watch out for the Chinese debt trap .
Amazing journey, fantastic experience. Thank you for making and sharing this film
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This is beautiful. I so admire the respect in which you engage with people you meet. You speak from the heart and it’s a magic that people seem to connect to. 👍👍. Oh yes our continent is beautiful. 😊
I love how the Chinese girl clarified "I don't think it's about friendship, it's about politics"... Rare and refreshing from a Chinese National.. From a Durbanite in Cape Town
Oh man..What a journey and experience you had..I cannot thank you enough for sharing those moments with us..Lots of love and respect from India!!👍👍
Fantastic adventure , well presented
Thanks
This was absolutely incredible, thank you so much
Fantastic. Such a dream to travel by train from Cape to Cairo. Thanks for capturing the journey so well.
Great travelogue. Brought to mind Paul Theroux's book " The great railway Bazaar". Glad the bus returned and you got your recording back.
Amazing journey .
Please do more of such journeys .
Love from India !👍
I will!!
THIS IS THE MOST INTERESTING VIDEO I'VE SEEN ON RUclips... THANKS FOR PRODUCING IT AND SHARING IT
Beautiful and informative... Thank you
Incredible journey, certainly not an easy one but great coverage
Thanks!
Your video has a poetic quality. Your journey seemed almost meditative. Should be seen by a lot more people. It's good. I enjoyed. Thank you so much and best wishes for the future.
Thanks for your comments!
What an amazing journey and film, you've inspired hundreds of thousands of people!
I was amazed you made it all the way without getting robbed …great job , nice video production
Thanks Niel for a memorable journey you've made and making clip for us to see, I must telling you something that this is one of the best clip I've seen in RUclips, I was in South Africa in 2000 but sadly I've never been on the South Africa train when I was there, I was travelling by a bus and plane, from Jo'burg to Durban by vans and from Durban to Cape Town by greyhound couch (bus) and back to Jo'burg by plane, that only my regret, maybe one day I'll go back there for travel all over Africa again after Covid has an end but this time not only South and North Africa but all over the place in African continent, btw I'm from Thailand.
You got a new sub! Fascinating stuff. I’m an avid train enthusiast. I was born in Bulawayo in 1976 and remember making the train journey down in Cape Town in 1982. Thanks for the video.
This was fascinating! I stumbled across it by accident. What an amazing journey.
VERY interesting travelogue. It took me to parts of the world I would not even think of going. Thank You !