Online Reporter
Mashudu Netsianda, Deputy National Editor
HIS heart beats to the rhythm of the wheels, his breath syncing with the steady whir of tyres on tarmac and gravel. From the sun-scorched sands of the Sahara to the lush riverbanks of the Zambezi, Sylvan Guignot has pedalled across Africa — a journey powered by curiosity, grit, and the lure of the unknown.
The 53-year-old from Zurich, Switzerland, is on an audacious year-long mission, cycling 43 000km through some of the most challenging and breathtaking landscapes on the continent. So far, he has already conquered more than 22 000km, navigating steep mountain trails, desert flats, forest tracks, and bustling cities across 19 African countries.
Now, his tyres have brought him to Binga — a place he describes as “one of Africa’s best-kept secrets.”
“Binga is beautiful. I’ve fallen in love with it, particularly the landscapes, the people, and the tranquillity,” Guignot told the Saturday Chronicle during our encounter in the lakeside district.
Binga, perched on the southern shores of Lake Kariba, is a sleeping tourism giant waiting to awaken. With its sandy beaches along the Zambezi River, hot springs, fishing, boating, and rich Tonga culture, it offers a complete tourism package. Luxury lodges and hotels dot its riverbanks, complemented by an airstrip for easier access.
The Government, under the Second Republic, has already taken steps to unlock this potential through the Integrated Development Programme and Conceptual Development Framework for the Victoria Falls-Hwange-Binga Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The vision is to create a thriving tourism corridor stretching from Kazungula near Victoria Falls through Hwange, Binga, Sijalila, and Kariba, with connections to the Lake Gwayi-Shangani area, as part of President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy.
Guignot’s African odyssey began more than two years ago when he flew from Zurich to Morocco, his first port of call. From there, he cycled through Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and now Zimbabwe.
He entered the country two weeks ago via the Kazungula Border Post. “I flew from Zurich and landed in Morocco, which was my first port of call, and that was more than two years ago. I started cycling all the way from north Africa to southern Africa. So far, I have cycled over 22 000km in 19 countries in Africa.
“Zimbabwe is one of the most beautiful countries I’ve seen, and the people are amazing. The hospitality is real, and you feel welcome immediately. I am so fascinated by Binga — it’s such a lovely place, which I have fallen in love with,” he said.
Guignot cycles between 50km and 100km a day, depending on the terrain. He documents his journey on Instagram under the handle @bike_gyver, sharing captivating images and stories that allow his followers to ride alongside him virtually.
While his travels have been filled with awe-inspiring views, they’ve also been physically gruelling.
“In the beginning, I wasn’t used to cycling up mountains and down into valleys every day. It was exhausting, but my body adapted. I also carry anti-malaria drugs in case I find myself in malaria-endemic areas,” he said.
A bachelor who has never held a formal job, Guignot has built a life around exploration, surviving on savings and modest sponsorships. His travels have also challenged deep-seated perceptions about Africa.
“Western media often paints Africa as dangerous or chaotic. But the reality I’ve experienced is totally different. The continent is peaceful, friendly, and incredibly diverse,” he said.
From Morocco’s medinas to Zimbabwe’s rolling hills, Guignot’s journey is more than a test of endurance — it’s a love letter to a continent that continues to surprise him at every turn.
And in that love letter, Binga now holds a special place.
