After years of working at a desk, I decided that life wasn’t making me happy, and I needed to make a change. I began dreaming, saving and planning, and finally I quit my job and sold all my stuff. I set my sights on the entire African continent, aiming to live the adventure of a lifetime.
Over the course of three years I drove 54,000 miles through 35 unique African nations as I circumnavigated the entire continent.
The adventure was a thousand times bigger than I ever dreamed possible.
I was drawn to the thrill of learning new languages, trying exotic foods, exploring stunning landscapes and meeting interesting characters with an entirely new outlook on life. I wanted to do all of this on my own schedule, in my own vehicle so I built my Jeep into a house on wheels to enable my dreams. Through all the ups and downs, the elation and despair, I gained a new perspective of what it truly means to be alive.
Not driven by the endless accumulation of wealth, African people have a different set of priorities that bubble to the surface in every aspect of daily life. As the months turned into years I was able to view the world through African eyes, and I was pulled in by the endless joy, laughter and kindness I found at every turn.
Though the landscapes and wildlife are undeniably breathtaking, it is the it is the natural warmth of the African people that is truly unforgettable. All across the continent the loving and generous people of Africa welcomed me like a family member, and without them the expedition would never have been a success.
The purpose of this book is twofold; firstly to document my adventures, the wild landscapes, the friendly and unique people I met, the wildlife and the different way of life in Africa. With this, I hope to again inspire people to fulfill their own dreams. Secondly the book aims to update people about the realities of life in modern Africa, and clearly show what it was like to live on the ground for so long. I wasn’t part of a guided tour, and I wasn’t paying anyone to be nice to me. This book captures the reality of how I was treated, and how I feel about it.
Exclusively for this Kickstarter the book will be printed with 30 full-color images inside. This color interior copy is a limited edition specifically for this Kickstarter and will never be for sale.
You’re probably wondering if I can write a good story, and if this book about my three years in Africa is actually worth reading. The best way to answer that is to read the Amazon reviews of my first book, ‘The Road Chose Me Volume 1: Two years and 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina’. Click to here read the Amazon reviews and learn for yourself about my writing and story telling abilities.
Here are your funding options for the project:
1. The Book – inspiring and educational
A 110,000 word, 385 page 5.25″ x 8″ (133mm x 200mm) paperback book including 30 full color images to inspire and bring you along for the adventure of a lifetime. My biggest and most comprehensive book yet!
2. Embroidered Patch & Sticker
– A full color, 4″ x 4″ (100 x 100mm) , embroidered color patch with velcro backing “The Road Chose Me Africa”.
Stick it on the headliner of your vehicle, or anywhere else velcro will stick!
– A full color, 4″ x 4″ (100 x 100mm) , color sticker “The Road Chose Me Africa”
Stick it on your toolbox, fridge, vehicle or anywhere else sticky thing stick!
3. ‘999 Days Around Africa’ companion African Photography book
A 72 page, 8.5″ x 11″ (216 x 280mm) full-color softcover book with photos from all 35 countries I visited in Africa. Includes the wild places, friendly people and wildlife. See the wild places and experience the beauty I describe in the book!
4. The Road Chose Me Volume 1: Two years and 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina
A 70,0000 word, 270 page, 5.25″ x 8″ (133mm x 200mm) softcover book with B&W images. Documenting my first adventure, the characters I met, the lessons I learned and how I became hooked on this overland travel life!
Be inspired to set off on your own adventure!
5. A signed and numbered 18″ x 36″ (457mm x 915mm) Canvas wrap print.
I took this photo while wild camping in remote Angola, and with the Jeep in camping mode and a thunderstorm on the horizon I feel it is the best image to capture the entire expedition in a single shot.
NOTE: This reward is limited to 200, and I will never sell or make more of these available in the future.
Printing costs – 60%
Shipping costs – 12%
Rewards – 8%
Kickstarter fees – 10%
Taxes – 10%
Introduction
Bumping along a gravel road in Guatemala with my friend Kate I clearly remember discussing overland travel and what it might mean for my life. Two continuous years on the road driving through many foreign countries was substantially bigger than anything I had attempted before. To be perfectly honest, I still wasn’t sure it was for me.
“There are really only two options,” I said.
“Either this Alaska to Argentina drive satisfies my urge and I’ll never do this kind of thing again, or I’ll be addicted for life.”
The fact this book exists tells you which way that went.
When I set out to drive from Alaska to Argentina I didn’t know what to expect. I knew almost nothing about the border crossings, about how welcomed I would be or if I could learn another language. My simple plan was to go until I didn’t enjoy it any more, then do something else with my life, so I didn’t feel any pressure. If my little Jeep got stolen or destroyed I could just walk away. I hadn’t made any promises, and virtually nobody outside my family knew of The Road Chose Me.
From the very beginning, the Africa expedition was very different. I started planning and dreaming fully aware of what I was getting into. I knew how disciplined I would have to be while saving money, and how difficult it would be to leave my comfortable life behind. I knew the depths of loneliness that were in front of me, and how hard it would be to push through my fears and doubts.
To put it simply, I knew exactly what I was signing myself up for – or at least I thought I did.
After two years living in a ground tent and eating tinned food I knew my Africa Jeep would have many more creature comforts, and would therefore be much more expensive. I would not be abandoning this one. I wanted as much media attention as possible with hopes of writing for magazines and growing a large social media following. I promised many people I would complete the lap of Africa, so there would be no backing out or giving up early. Once I committed, I was all in.
In the back of my mind I knew an expedition right around Africa would be an an enormous adventure, and it turned out to be a thousand times more than even I dreamed possible.
Africa and her people taught me so much I feel a great responsibility to do their story justice. After three months I thought I knew everything. Then after twelve months I realized that was all garbage and I had a new perspective. This learning process was continuous as I tried to keep my eyes and ears open to the world I was experiencing.
Like Volume one, this book is not just a collection of my adventures, it’s also the lifelong lessons I will never forget. Be warned – some are controversial and will be confronting to readers in the developed world. I learned much about how the world treats Africa, making it impossible to not touch on politics. Most of it makes me sick to my stomach. I was often shocked, and only after months of reflection was I able to see things from a new perspective. I hope you will keep an open mind as you make this journey of discovery with me.
Through all the good and the bad, the enduring kindness and warmth of the African people was a constant. Without their love and encouragement my dream would never have been possible.
Expeditions like this can be similar to roller coaster – I’m just a passenger, with little control of the speed or direction I will travel. All I can do is plant a smile on my face, hold on and enjoy the thrill.
So strap yourself in as we dive into the ride of a lifetime.
Once again, to tell the story properly, I must start from the beginning…
-Dan
The book has now been written and typeset and I’m currently in the final rounds of editing. I have proof prints in my hands and I’m reviewing the book for clarity and typos. If the goal is reached the book will be delivered to your doorstep in May 2020.
My travels have been featured extensively in the media, online and in magazines. I’ve also been a guest on numerous podcasts, and I present at a slew of Overland events across North America. Read more here
Follow me and keep in touch:
Facebook: http://facebook.com/theroadchoseme
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YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/theroadchoseme
Website: http://theroadchoseme.com
The biggest risk to this project is the print quality of the color images and the binding of the final book. Pictured above are samples from various printers to ensure the highest quality, so the likelihood of print quality issues is extremely low. I will strive to ensure the best quality product is delivered to backers within a reasonable time period. This is my first Kickstarter campaign, though it is the third print book I have published, so I’m very confident in the process. The book is very close to complete, I’m currently in the final stage of editing. I will personally package and ship all rewards to ensure they are of the highest possible quality and arrive on time. I will use a reputable, affordable and reliable major mail carrier.