Peter Gazzard is the absolute epitome of an adventure traveller. Before he even started his motorcycle journey, Peter had already cycled an astounding 130,000 km around the world! His tales from the road are not for the faint of heart, including a harrowing incident in Ethiopia where he dealt with an attempted kidnapping by a Militia Gang and was released only after a severe beating, footage of which is in the video below.
When he finally returned to South Africa, he didn’t stop. Peter learned how to ride a motorcycle, got licensed, and initially toured Southern Africa on a small 150cc Honda. Now, he’s tackling the Great Beyond on his dependable little Suzuki DL250SX V-Strom.
His current solo overlanding world tour on the tiny Suzuki is a testament to his grit, though it hasn’t been without major hiccups. To date, he’s been accosted and arrested by corrupt border officials in DRC and battled both malaria and typhoid fever in Cameroon. You’d think this would be enough to pack it in, but nope! Peter says those incidents are far from the norm.
The veteran globetrotter insists that the vast majority of people he meets are incredibly nice, caring, and generous, and this experience far outweighs the odd hiccup. Peter’s philosophy? Globe trotting on a budget is the ultimate way to immerse yourself in each country and culture. Just remember to be prepared and have realistic expectations.
Check out the full interview on Dirt & Trail YouTube channel to hear Peter’s incredible stories
