In My First African Adventure, Riaan Manser allows the reader to relive the toil, excitement and occasional terror of his journey - negotiating the Sahara and Libyan deserts, learning French, Portuguese and Arabic, eating monkey, rat and bat, standing in front of the pyramids, being awarded the freedom of the Red Sea in Egypt, feeding hyenas mouth to mouth, and standing on the highest, as well as at the lowest, points in Africa.

Riaan arrived safely in Cape Town on 25 November 2005. Now, for the first time, children can relive this amazing journey of discovery in a fun, illustrated version of the original journey. Crammed with fun facts and information, My First African Adventure will entertain young and old for years to come.

Parents and children are invited to join one of the world's great modern-day adventurers, Riaan Manser as he explores Africa by bicycle!

Embark on an incredible journey with Riaan Manser, South Africa’s favourite explorer, and Dan Skinstad, who bravely faces the challenges of mild cerebral palsy. Together, they set out on their most daring adventure yet – kayaking around Iceland!

Together, they navigate treacherous high seas, battle fierce winter storms, and even brave an active volcano.

Along the way, they conquer formidable challenges, learning the power of teamwork. “My First Frozen Adventure” is a heartwarming story filled with courage, determination, and inspiration, capturing the genuine essence of adventure against the breathtaking backdrop of Iceland through captivating words and enchanting illustrations.

Riaan Manser, Suid-Afrika se gunsteling-ontdekker, is op sy moeilikste en koudste avontuur nog – ’n kajakvaart rondom Ysland!

In hierdie avontuur sluit Dan Skinstad, wat dapper die uitdagings van ligte serebrale verlamming trotseer, by Riaan aan. Saam pak hulle ‘n kajakreis deur die ysige water van Ysland aan, waar hulle massiewe golwe, stormagtige winterweer en selfs ‘n aktiewe vulkaan trotseer.

Met stories wat jou hare sal laat reggop staan, en illustrasies wat jou sal laat skaterlag, vang hierdie boek die hart van avontuur vas teen die ontnugterende, beeldskone agtergrond van Ysland.

Maak jouself gereed vir ‘n avontuur wat jou hart uit jou borskas sal laat spring van opwinding!

Die topverkoper “My first African Adventure” is nou ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans!

In September 2003 het Riaan Manser vasbeslote uit Kaapstad gery om die eerste persoon te word wat reg rondom Afrika met 'n fiets toer. Hy het gedink dit sal hom 'n jaar neem, maar dit het hom meer as twee gekos. Aan die einde van 2005 het hy teruggery Kaapstad toe, 14 kg ligter ná sy 36 500 km reis, deur vier-en-dertig lande. In sy boek vir volwassenes “Around Africa on my bicycle” laat Riaan die leser toe om die geswoeg, opgewondenheid en af en toe se angstigheid van sy reis te herleef - sy wroeginge deur die Sahara en Libiese woestyne, die aanleer van Frans, Portugees en Arabies, aap, rot en vlermuis etes, om te kon staan voor die piramides, ongekende vryheid te ervaar in die Rooi See in Egipte, hiënas wat hy mond tot mond gevoer het, en staan op die hoogste, sowel as die laagste punte in Afrika. Riaan het op 25 November 2005 veilig in .Kaapstad aangekom.

Nou, vir die eerste keer, kan kinders Riaan se wonderlike ontdekkingsreis in 'n prettige, geïllustreerde weergawe herleef. Gevul met prettige feite en inligting, sal MY EERSTE AFRIKA-AVONTUUR jonk en oud vermaak vir nog baie jare.

In July 2009, Manser set another world first when he became the first person to circumnavigate the world’s fourth largest island, Madagascar, by kayak - also alone and unaided.

This colossal journey, which saw him paddle 5000km in eleven months, was, he said, considerably more demanding, both physically and mentally. Conquering extreme loneliness whilst enduring treacherous conditions like pounding seas, cyclones and an unrelenting sun which, combined with salt water, almost pickled him alive.

During his circumnavigation he had many memorable close encounters with Madagascar’s marine life – humpback whales breaching metres away from his kayak, giant leatherback turtles gliding alongside him and even having his boat rammed by a shark.

Riaan travelled around Madagascar during a period of extreme political turmoil & he landed up in prison 5 times, the last time being 3 nights on suspicion of carrying out mercenary activities. In April 2010, Manser’s efforts were rewarded with his second accolade, “Out There Adventurer of the Year 2009” and “Around Madagascar on my Kayak”, his book recounting his amazing feat, also received acclaim.

In Julie 2009 het Manser ‘n volgende wêreldrekord gestel toe hy die eerste persoon was wat die wêreld se vierde grootste eiland, Madagaskar, per kajak omseil het - ook alleen en sonder hulp. Hierdie kolossale reis van 5000 km, wat hom elf maande geneem het, was volgens hom aansienlik meer veeleisend, beide fisies en geestelik. Hy moes uiterste eensaamheid oorwin terwyl hy verraderlike toestande verduur het, soos donderende golwe, siklone en ‘n skroeiende son wat, gekombineer met soutwater, hom amper lewendig gepekel het. Tydens sy omseiling het hy baie onvergeetlike noue ontmoetings met Madagaskar se seelewe gehad – boggelrugwalvisse wat meters van sy kajak af deur die oppervlak gebreek het, reuse-leerskilpaaie wat langs hom geswem het, en sy boot wat deur ‘n haai gestamp is. Riaan het in ‘n tydperk van uiterste politieke onrus in Madagaskar rondgereis en hy het 5 keer in die tronk beland, die laaste keer drie nagte op vermoede dat hy huursoldaataktiwiteite uitgevoer het. In April 2010 is Manser se pogings beloon met sy tweede toekenning, “Out There Adventurer of the Year 2009�. “Around Madagascar on my Kayak�, die boek waarin hy van sy wonderlike prestasie vertel, het ook lof ontvang.