Timo de Jong, a 25-year-old adventurer from the Netherlands, is hitchhiking from the UK to South Africa, documenting his 200-day journey of kindness, courage, and cultural discovery for his 135,000 followers.
Global (29 August 2024) – Travelling the world isn’t just about visiting new places; it’s about expanding horizons, embracing different cultures, and gaining unique perspectives that enrich the soul. For some, the call of adventure is more than just a holiday—it’s a way of life.
Timo de Jong, a 25-year-old traveller from the Netherlands, embodies this spirit as he embarks on an extraordinary journey from the UK to South Africa, relying solely on the kindness of strangers.
But Timo is not your average traveller. At his young age, he has already explored far corners of the globe—from Japan and Latin America to Australia and Europe—using the age-old method of hitchhiking.
Now, Timo is on his most ambitious adventure yet, attempting to hitchhike from the UK all the way to South Africa. A journey that will take over 16,000 kilometres to complete. This daring endeavour, spanning over 200 days so far, started on February 11, and it has captivated the attention of his 135,000 Instagram followers, who eagerly track his every move.
“So I have hitchhiked a few times, and I tried it in April last year in Japan,” Timo shared. “It’s very expensive there, so hitchhiking seemed like a good way to save some money, and it was such a great experience.”
That experience sparked a fire within him, and soon, his travels took him to places like Mexico and all through Central America to Colombia.
When he returned to his friend’s house in the UK, he saw a map and thought, “Let’s keep going… that will work!” And just like that, a new adventure was born.
While Timo’s journey is filled with incredible stories and experiences, it’s important to note that hitchhiking is not the safest way to travel. It requires thorough research, awareness, and a fair bit of luck. Timo himself did extensive planning before embarking on this monumental trek.
He found a Facebook group of people who had driven the route from Southampton to South Africa before, gaining invaluable advice on safety, routes, and visas.
“Next thing you know, I’m on the side of the road in Southampton, trying to get a ride out towards Dover,” Timo recalled.
Having now traversed through a dozen countries—including Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, and many more—Timo is currently in Oyo, located in the Republic of the Congo, after hitching more than 300 rides. He has around 4,000 kilometres to go before he gets to his final destination.
His journey is a celebration of human kindness across borders. Each day, he documents his travels, sharing snippets of the people he meets, the challenges he faces, and the stunning landscapes he crosses. His followers are not just watching his journey; they are living it with him, feeling every high and low, every joyous encounter, and every moment of doubt.
As Timo edges closer to South Africa, his story continues to unfold, bringing with it a wave of positivity and inspiration.
Safe travels, Timo! South Africa is ready to welcome you with open arms!
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