After almost four years and many trips in the Mediterranean, Joanna Barck and Marcel Dolega will leave the Strait of Gibraltar behind in 2014 and sail to new destinations on the Atlantic with their Koopmans 40 "Chulugi". Unplanned, they will circumnavigate the entire African continent by 2021 before returning to the Mediterranean via the Red Sea.
Their African adventure begins in the Canary Islands and Cape Verde. From there, the two sail to The Gambia and explore the Gambia River far inland. Roaring hippos, crocodiles gliding silently through the water and a cacophony of animal voices from the jungle on both sides of the river accompany them on their unusual trip.
This is followed by a longer stay on the other side of the Atlantic in South America before they head eastwards again: towards Cape Town. The journey takes them along the South African coast to dream destinations such as Zanzibar and Madagascar. The impressions en route: overwhelming. The journey: marvellous, albeit challenging at times.
Sailors are discovering more and more of Africa, immersing themselves in foreign cultures and the history of the continent. Exciting encounters, but also relaxing days at sea or at anchor, are what make their unusual journey so appealing.
Last year, they were honoured with the Trans-Ocean Medal for their work. They wrote down the highlights for YACHT -can now be read in YACHT, issue 10/2022, available as a digital edition in the YACHT app and can be ordered directly here. Or you can download the article directly via the link below.
