Zimbabwean adventurer completes 30 000km journey after crossing 34 borders

Zimbabwean adventurer Nkosilathi Mathe has finally arrived home in Bulawayo after completing an extraordinary 30 000km road journey from Birmingham in the United Kingdom.

Mathe drove through 34 borders during the epic journey, which took him two months and 15 days to complete.

He received a hero’s welcome in Bulawayo on Saturday as family, friends and supporters gathered to celebrate his return after the mammoth cross-continental drive.

Zimbabwean adventurer describes journey as once-in-a-lifetime experience

Speaking after completing the journey, Mathe said he was relieved and happy to finally be back home.

“I am glad to be finally home and to complete this journey. It has been a wonderful experience. A once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he told Khulumani FM.

The journey saw Mathe cover thousands of kilometres across multiple countries and navigate numerous border crossings before finally reaching Bulawayo.

The 30 000km distance gives an indication of the scale of the expedition, with Mathe spending more than two months on the road before completing his journey.

His arrival was met with celebrations in Bulawayo, where supporters gathered to welcome him home.

Cyclist Thando Tshuma among those welcoming Mathe

Among those who welcomed Mathe was fellow Zimbabwean adventurer Thando Tshuma, who has also made headlines with her partner for completing an extraordinary journey across Africa.

Thando and Vusumuzi Mnkandla cycled approximately 13 300km across 22 African countries, making his own expedition a remarkable test of endurance.

Thando’s presence at Mathe’s homecoming brought together two Zimbabweans who have taken on ambitious long-distance journeys while travelling across the continent.

While Mathe completed his expedition by car, Thando and Vusi tackled their journey on a bicycles, covering thousands of kilometres through 22 countries.

A remarkable journey home

For Mathe, however, the destination was just as important as the journey.

After leaving Birmingham and travelling thousands of kilometres across countries and borders, reaching Bulawayo marked the completion of an ambitious journey back home.

His 30 000km expedition has now come to an end, with Mathe describing the experience as something he will remember for the rest of his life.

The hero’s welcome on Saturday marked the culmination of more than two months on the road and celebrated his safe return to Bulawayo.