Canoeing The Congo
First Source to Sea Descent of the Congo River
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Canoeing The Congo
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Narrated by:
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Gareth Armstrong
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By:
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Phil Harwood
About this listen
Canoeing the Congo narrates the journey of Phil Harwood, who undertook an epic five-month solo attempt to canoe the Congo River in war-torn Central Africa. It was a historic first descent from the true source in the highlands of Zambia. Just short of 3,000 miles long, the Congo River is the eighth longest in the world and the deepest river in the world, with a flow rate second only to the Amazon. Along the way, Phil encountered numerous waterfalls, huge rapids, man-eating crocodiles, hippos, aggressive snakes and spiders' webs the size of houses. He faced endemic corruption, was arrested, intimidated, bullied, chased and he received numerous death threats. He also collapsed from malaria.
The people were mostly friendly, however, and Phil received tremendous hospitality from a proud and brave people, especially from the riverside fishermen who helped him wherever they could. On one stretch of river known as The Abattoir due to its past history of cannibalism and current reputation for criminal activity, he hired four brothers with a shotgun to accompany him as bodyguards. They paddled and floated for five days and nights on the river. Common questions from locals were, ‘why haven't you cut his throat yet?’ and ‘if you don't want to do it, tell us where your camping and we'll come and do it for you ...We'll share his money.’ It was an exhilarating, terrifying and wonderful journey but Phil managed to survive, despite the odds, to tell his story.
Canoeing the Congo will appeal to fans of adventurous travel writing and people who love the nature and wilderness. Phil, who is a fan of adventure stories himself, enjoys the work of Ranulph Fiennes and Bill Bryson. Phil has worked all over the world as an ex-Royal Marine Commando, ski-guide, expedition leader, outdoor instructor and development trainer. He is qualified as mountain leader, a level 4 canoe coach, a level 3 kayak coach, a rock climbing instructor, a wilderness emergency medical technician and a first aid instructor. Phil's passions are adventure and challenge, in particular canoeing remote wilderness rivers - the more wild the better!
©2013 Phil Harwood (P)2013 Audible LtdListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
What listeners say about Canoeing The Congo
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Jonathan Old
- 22-02-24
Up the Creek With a Paddle
I enjoyed this book, it’s a fantastic achievement that surely should get more recognition.The highlight for me though was the author’s relationship with his guides on the way who helped him with great humanity. The authors courage was also inspiring as he refused to be intimidated by so called officials he encountered. References to earlier explorers was also interesting and helped put the authors trip in context. I didn’t give it 5 stars as I felt the author could have described the jungle and surroundings a bit more as the epic adventure rushed by, Sometimes it seems taken up by the aforementioned custom officers maybe too much. I’m looking forward to more exploration by this writer.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- david holmes watkins
- 11-01-24
Great fun, simply but solidly written.
I think if you like the sound of this book you will enjoy it. And for those who have read Blood River, I think this is a great addition to a similar theme. Admittedly (by the author also) not as well written, but more fully experienced.
Also, it’s not badly written. Not full of overdone cliches. Just simple and straightforward.
Recommend.
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Christine
- 07-08-15
Pleasant report of an adventure
This book does not stand out for its litterary quality, but it is a pleasant journey report of a great adventure, and you get a taste of what remote areas of Zambia and Congo can be like.It was easy and pleasant to listen to.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- APat
- 16-04-24
This is real exploration
It felt like real exploration through truly difficult conditions, plain speaking and real experience. I especially liked the bits about the people he met on the way, both good and bad, and the judgements that had to be made
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- G J B
- 02-12-13
Took me on a wonderful journey
What made the experience of listening to Canoeing The Congo the most enjoyable?
Felt I was being shown a whole new world - enjoyed every mile of this amazing trip.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- sampson
- 26-04-24
good humour travel and adventure...
what more could I Ask for.... brilliant
I would happily recommend it to any adventure seeking person
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mr D J W Evans
- 17-06-15
Thrilling
What an adventure. Well described and a good story. Having been to Africa on a couple of occasions I agree with many of his assertions about the goodness of the majority of the people with a few bad eggs in amongst but at the same time I'm sure that most people wouldn't survive this journey. Great respect!
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- catfish
- 06-01-24
Inspiring
Difficult journeys make good stories and this is as difficult as it gets
Great account of struggles with corrupt officials, malaria and keeping his wits about him when canoeing with crocs
I liked the narrator who’s clarity and cadence was perfect for me
A tale of human endurance and that there’s more good people in this world than bad
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Amazon Customer
- 13-12-22
Unbelievable guy!
Mad, courageous, enthralling.. You feel the pulse of Africa in his narration and his empathy with their history and hardship. Beautifully narrated by him.. What an amazing guy..
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- ahala
- 30-04-21
highly authentic
different but just as authentic as blood river, author is a tougher guy who knew how to fight against robbers and corrupt police, but less empathy and spirituality than blood river. read both
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