A three-year journey across Africa

There are long trips, years spent on the road — and many of us have been fortunate enough to take them — but then there are epic journeys that go somewhat beyond what most of us will ever do.

Consider the journey of husband and wife team Alex and Sonia Poussin: for three years the French couple walked 8,700 miles across Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to the Sea of Galilee.

Now that’s a journey. The best part is the Poussin’s filmed the whole thing and a mini-series will be out on PBS soon (actually it’s already started in many areas, check this guide to see about times in your area).

Of course regular Travel Channel viewers have probably already seen parts of the mini-series, which aired some time ago. But for those of you who (like me) don’t have cable, here’s you chance to watch a truly remarkable trip.

While PBS version appears to be more heavily edited, the Poussin’s did all the filming themselves and the footage is quite raw, both visually and emotionally. The Poussin’s endure everything from fatigue, dehydration, blazing sun, prowling hyenas, even malaria and quite a bit more. But not everything is grueling, the pair meet a truly remarkable and beautiful collection of people and places along the way.

Here’s a preview of the PBS special to whet your appetite: Africa Trek

If video isn’t your thing, be sure to check out the book the two wrote.

[via Ze Frank, whose headline “A long ass walk” is admittedly much better than mine. Photo courtesy of Africa Trek Series]