A 22-year-old graduate has taken on a 13,000km cycle from Cape Town to Twickenham to raise money for two charities.

Will Ferrier is raising money for Tusk Trust and Help for Heroes to turn his cycling challenge into something that will help others.

He said: “In my first year of university I came up with the idea of doing an epic cycle trip, something extraordinary that I would probably never do again. After looking at the map I decided on the idea of setting off from Cape Town and heading north until I finally reached home.

“The trip is fulfilling my want to travel and the bicycle provides a totally unique way of experiencing a country, as well as the huge physical challenge of actually cycling the 13,000km home.”

The former UCL anthropology student built his bike himself and set off on his journey on September 20 and began cycling on September 28.

He has covered more than 5,000km so far, and passed through South Africa, Botswana and “a stretch across the Kalahari desert in 42 degree heat that nearly killed me,” he said. He has also passed through Zambia, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda.

He said: “I cycle about 100km a day and probably take a rest day every five days or so. Sleeping is a mixture, mostly sleeping under the stars, but occasionally staying with friends of family or suffering the comfort of a hostel for the night. I aim to be back in the UK for June or July 2012.”

He will now head to Kampala and Nairobi and then turn north towards the Sudan and Egypt. After Cairo the route is undecided but it will probably be a boat crossing to Europe.

To follow Mr Ferrier’s journey, visit capetownandbackagain.com.