The journey then takes him through strongholds for the Muslim Brotherhood opposition group, and as the security situation deteriorates he finds himself accompanied by police vans and armed officers. With a usual breakfast of African Chai and stale chapattis, which I spice up with lemon and sugar, in the hope of making them taste like pancakes – much to the locals’ amusement. We got so fed up pushing them through sand and having bits fall off I’ve traded them in for 2 donkeys which seems a far preferable option.

Testing his physical and mental capacity to the limit he will be travelling on foot with just his backpack through some of Africa’s most extreme, testing and hostile environments. Fortunately upon our arrival in Baale I manage to locate an animal sanctuary that is willing to take this poor orphaned creature.

I make the resolve that this trip is my risk and mine alone and so with a heavy heart I tell him that he cannot continue with me any further. Reports that later emerged from the fire fight detailed around sixty people had been shot and hacked to death during the attack. Day 143-147 – “The difference between South Sudan and its northern neighbour – and former master – the Sudan couldn’t be more striking.

This then provides us with plenty of rest time after we reach our set destination or close to 4pm whichever is the sooner. We are following the banks of the Nile which is now almost a mile wide at this point and the temperature is getting noticeably warmer the further north I walk. Entire families shuffled along the road carrying all manner of household goods with even the tiniest child struggling to carry bags of clothing or a pot and pan.Most of the money however would be taken by the ghost like ‘middle’ men who deal in this vile trade rather than the local poachers who commit these heinous crimes primarily to make ends meet. As the day wears on each weary step we take seems increasing heavy and made progressively worse when our progress is constantly checked every mile or so by roadblocks of government backed soldiers. WITH almost 1,000 miles completed during the first three months of Captain Levison Wood’s, epic journey to become the first recorded person ever to walk the entire 4,250 miles from source to sea the time has come to assess the story so far.

The two intrepid explorers think nothing of covering 30k each day, while filming their progress for a forthcoming Channel 4 series to be shown later this year. Organisations such as the Ugandan Wildlife Education Centre provide a safe haven for orphaned or injured Vervets as well as other wildlife. Walking with his local translator and guide Boston, the adventurers have become committed friends with both being determined to reach and face their greatest challenge to date the Sudd swamp.Burning back the bush clears away undergrowth that makes cattle-farming harder and allows more grassland to develop.