A British wheelchair user with a degenerative condition has completed an extraordinary 10,000-kilometre journey across Africa, encountering gunfire, riding donkey carts, and even judging talent contests along the way.
An Unforgettable Adventure
Orlando Cardozo, 25, from Mere, Wiltshire, spent months traversing countries including Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, enduring journeys lasting up to 16 hours. Orlando, who lives with Friedreich's ataxia, said the trip began when he travelled to Zambia to visit his sister, who runs a children's home there, and then decided to explore more of the continent.
'I wanted to get away from England in the cold weather. I went and had Christmas with my sister in Zambia, and then it just sort of happened,' he told the Daily Mail.
Overcoming Obstacles
He navigated rough terrain, crowded buses, and remote villages where locals said they had not seen a white person in decades. His wheelchair often became stuck in deep sand during parts of the trip. Despite relying on a wheelchair, Orlando did not let his condition stop him from venturing into remote communities, including villages with no running water or electricity.
'I don't really think about things getting in the way. I just do it, and I can usually work out how to do it,' he said.
Challenges in Johannesburg
During a stay in Johannesburg, ranked among the most dangerous cities in South Africa, Orlando heard gunshots on three of the five nights he spent there and could not go out after dark. However, he noted that the most difficult part of the journey was often dealing with accessibility while travelling through remote areas.
'Using the bathroom facilities was definitely the most challenging thing,' he added, explaining how on one bathroom trip he suffered nasty injuries due to inaccessibility. On long bus journeys, Orlando would sometimes use a bottle rather than unloading his wheelchair every time he needed the toilet. He also recalled a nasty fall while trying to access a bathroom: 'I kind of swung out of my wheelchair and went headfirst onto the floor onto tiles. So I had a massive black eye for a few days.'
Travel Companions and Patience
Because of his condition, Orlando always needs somebody travelling with him, so he completed different parts of the journey alongside family and friends. The 25-year-old spent long periods driving down pothole-ridden roads but said: 'I've learned to be patient. It's not like I'm running around all day anyway, so being in the car doesn't really make a difference to being in my wheelchair.'
'There were quite a lot of amazing views,' he added. 'A lot of it was very bumpy. Four of those days were spent driving on roads filled with incredibly huge potholes.'
Wildlife and Donkey Carts
Some of Orlando's favourite moments came while visiting wildlife parks and nature reserves, where he saw elephants, lions, and giraffes up close. Although much of the travelling was done by car, bus, and plane, Orlando said one of his favourite experiences was riding in a donkey cart.
'My friend's cousin drives the donkey cart really fast. It was quite fun, bumping around in the back,' he said.
He was even invited to judge a talent show at the children's home he was visiting in Zambia. 'I was one of the judges, when I announced who had won I did some wheelies. They absolutely loved it,' he said.
Life Lessons and Future Plans
Orlando said one of the main takeaways from his trip was the contrast between everyday life in Africa and Europe. 'Europeans are so busy rushing around that they are often rude and unhelpful, whereas Africans have as much time as they want to be kind and helpful,' he explained.
Friedreich's ataxia is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system, affecting muscles and coordination. Orlando said although his condition 'gets worse every day', he will not let it stop him pursuing his dreams.
'I can see that I can't ski or go for a run or play tennis. But there's so much that I can do that I didn't really think about what I can't do.' Despite not being able to participate in some sports, Orlando is a calisthenics enthusiast and exercises for several hours a day.
Orlando is determined to travel the world, with plans to visit Colombia, Brazil, India, Thailand, and China over the next few years. 'I want to see it all,' he said.
