I'm a History and Philosophy international school teacher, political risk consultant and travel writer. I have lived, worked and travelled across 30 African countries, including residencies in Sudan, Angola, Madagascar, Tunisia and Mozambique. I am also an endurance athlete, with a focus on long distance running and kayaking. In 2016 my friend Alfy and I completed the first ever source to sea kayaking descent of the longest river in Angola, the Kwanza River, setting a Guinness World Record. In 2022 my friend Ben and I completed the first ever source to sea kayaking descent of the longest river in Madagascar, the Mangoky River. I have written books about both these expeditions!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I was happy to host in one of the most expensive cities on the planet (Luanda)! Now I guess I'm happy to meet up or give out advice on places in Africa that I have lived and worked.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Met some really interesting characters through my brother hosting in Brighton, England. Hosted two different visitors in Luanda and met up with a few more. You get an interesting mix of people out in Angola! I was really lucky to be hosted by some great people while visiting Equatorial Guinea to write the Bradt Travel Guide. I couldn't have done it without this site!

Interests

The Arabic speaking world, the Lusophone world, African development, post-conflict zones, Islamist terrorism (studying it, not participating), learning new languages, teaching, MMA, useless old Land Rovers, tourism in difficult destinations!

• writing
• traveling
• surfing
• teaching
• history
• languages
• tourism
• africa
• mma
• surf
• portuguese

Music, Movies, and Books

The Places In Between
Another Day of Life
Zanzibar Chest

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In July 2016 a friend and I set a new Guinness World Record by kayaking and hiking the 1300km length of Angola's Kwanza River. Check out the documentary here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfnrQJVDVo&t=

You can also buy a copy of my book on the 1,300km expedition, "Kayak The Kwanza" from Amazon (print or e-version). 25% of the profits are donated to The HALO Trust, to help make Angola landmine-free by the year 2025:

https://www.amazon.com/Kayak-Kwanza-Oscar-Scafidi/dp/1789650127/

Teach, Learn, Share

I am author of the Bradt Guides to Angola, Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia, so I like to think I'd be able to teach guests a few things about those countries.

I am also a UK-qualified History and International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge teacher, and also CELTA qualified to teach English as a Foreign Language (EFL / ESL). Happy to get involved with any education NGOs in the areas I visit.

Also always interested in meeting new contacts in the African development and security sectors.

I am also a great supporters of the Chagos Islanders who were made refugees by the British government. Learn more about the expulsion and dispossession of the Chagossians here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chagossians

Countries I’ve Visited

Afghanistan, Belgium, Botswana, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Croatia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, France, French Guiana, Gambia, Germany, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Indonesia, Liberia, Luxembourg, Mauritania, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, San Marino, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Trinidad and Tobago, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Angola, Indonesia, Italy, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sudan, Tunisia, United Kingdom

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