Africa has always been a travelling destination for me. I remember the days in my early youth, standing in front of the world map and day dreaming of the villages, wild animals and unspoiled landscapes of Africa. Towards the end of 2009 this dream slowly started becoming reality. When I stepped into my friend's, Imtiyaz Ahmad Haron, room he made me aware of his intention of going for hajj on a bicycle. 'Impossible' were the first symbols that raced through my mind. However, after carefully studying his plan that he had on paper and doing some research on the internet, I increasingly became convinced that we, with the help of God, could achieve this. 

The next two months we tried to put things together. We got our bicycles, made special pannier bags, purchased all the basic and essential necessities (tent, sleeping bag, medical kit), saw the relevant authorities in our country (government, hajj and Umrah council, religious bodies) for endorsements, got overdosed with information regarding the mechanics of our bikes and medical advice and increased our physical training. Many were skeptical about this historic journey in our country, especially it being Africa that we were to travel through. 'What are you going to eat? Please, don't drink the water. Where are you going to sleep? Do you have any protection?' These were a few of the many concerns that were raised by our families and people in our country. One comment that seemed to have stuck in my mind is one gentleman who eloquently blurted out 'this plan is beyond the scope of logic and reason and hence, it will not be successful' Despite the negative remarks and criticism we received from most people, we were set in achieving this goal. Of cause, there were many too who encouraged us. 'You have been especially selected for this mission, by Allah himself.' 'This is a calling, so you must respond.' 'Did you have a dream?'   

We were going to cycle all the way through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to Mecca and perform the Pilgrimage. We left our beautiful city, Cape Town, and families on the seventh of February 2010 in a grand farewell from the Muslim community and a few bicycle clubs who escorted us about 80km to our first destination. They sat down with us that afternoon highlighting some of the mistakes they saw us doing and imparting very valuable information to us.

My legs felt like jelly the next morning. South Africa and beyond was waiting for us. The Imam of the masjied organized us some 'padkos' (food for the road) and soon we were back on the road having to familiarize ourselves with a seat that inflicted an incredible degree of discomfort. 'It will mould to the shape of your backside after a while' one of the professional cyclist told us. We have travelled this mountain valley many times by car. However, that morning it seemed as if it was the first time we saw that magnificent mountains on our way to Worcester. Awaiting us was a warm reception. This was the general welcoming we received from the Muslim communities throughout our country and it was something that kept us motivated in our first few weeks. We spend just over thirty warm days in our country, discovering towns and places we never knew existed and witnessing firsthand the Muslims’ situation. 'Our country has allot of potential for the future of Islam', remarked my companion on his bicycle while cycling into one of the small towns. We tried to secure all our visas before we left but were told we could get them on arrival. Just before we crossed over to Botswana, we met some local scholars who were successful in using public transport from South Africa to Mecca. They connected us with some contacts in East Africa and shared some of their experiences. 'Africa is safe boss. You'll have lots of fun. Just be alert.'

One of the first things we saw as we entered Botswana was a huge majestic elephant, standing peacefully along the road between the bushes. About 50km away we entered Gaborone, the capital, where we met Imtiyaz's father, Dr. Mohammed Haron. He pulled so many strings for us whilst we were on our journey. Botswana's a very peaceful country, its Muslim community's very small and helpful and its terrain was much easier to cycle then South Africa. As we rolled closer to the Zimbabwean border we met up with three South Koreans, who were prim and proper kitted with gadgets and cycling gear. They were on their way to Uganda via Zambia. We teamed up, enjoyed each other’s company and experienced the Muslims’ hospitality. They were very impressed. 'I am very touched by the Muslim peoples' behavior towards strangers. Really, I have not experienced this in my life.' We slept in a rundown hospital, mosques and along the road as we made our way to the capital. We grew quite attached to each other in that short space of time and felt very sad when we went our different ways in Harare. 'Inshallah, we will meet again,' said one of the Koreans. After a few days in the capital we continued northwards. Zimbabwe has a very beautiful country side. When we cycled through this region we could understand why the locals told us the place was like paradise during the 80's. I remember when we stopped at one point some local were trying to sell us gold he dug out of his backyard for an incredibly low price.

Mozambique was quite challenging, due to its many steep hills. The villages that are surrounded by Bowa-Bowa trees are a remarkable sight. One of our nights were spend in one of them, with the chief, his three wives and about three thousand of his subjects and learned a little Portuguese. Their school was outside under a tree. When the kids saw us leaving they all shouted and waved. We learned numbers from them and taught them English numbers in return. In Tete, we stayed at a madressa. One kid was very useful. Whenever I called Saeed, he would come and sit in our room until we return. After six days in Mozambique we moved onto Malawi.  At night, we would fall asleep with our legs raised against the walls. They said this would help to get all the lactic acid out our legs. To a degree it helped, but we preferred using arnica oil.