One hundred and thirteen years after Dr. Livingstone’s expedition to Africa, George Tardios and his wife decided to follow the same path. Even though people are told again and again that Africa is huge and dangerous, they still pack their bags and set off. There is always some preparation, but can anyone ever be truly prepared? At the beginning, this expedition seemed well thought out and carefully organized. What could go wrong? Everything—that is the answer.

The team of these brave people was constantly tormented, mostly by nature herself, but also by humans. Reading passages about them being bitten, stung, kicked, infested, dizzy, and sleep-deprived is frightening. This gives a whole new meaning to the words wild and unwelcoming. Next time you watch a movie set in Africa, you will realize how unrealistic so much of what appears on screen really is.

Of course, all the events described by George are now part of the past, as the expedition took place in 1982. While reading the book, I followed their route on a map and was shocked to see how many places have vanished since then, including entire lakes. Where there was once nothing, there are now roads, buildings, and schools. But I am sure there are still tsetse flies, mosquitoes, beetles, fleas, and those nasty ants.

I wonder if the people have changed as well. Sadly, I don’t think so, judging by what can be seen in Spain and France. In any case, this book is absolutely fascinating, packed with valuable information—including, hopefully, not yet forgotten knowledge about local medicinal plants and their uses. The photographs add even more value.