Written by the expedition leader and illustrated with superb photographs, this is the story of the Welsh Guards remarkable journey across Africa. Their guiding principle was to avoid centres of civilisation and face any challenge that came their way. With groups of men and women who were mostly novices, they covered 40 000 miles of extreme conditions. Along the way they crossed deserts, climbed some of the most hazardous mountains in Africa, white water rafted down the crocodile infested Zambesi  and made their way through the jungles of Zaire.

John Warburton-Lee first dreamt up the idea of his remarkable trip whilst lying in hospital after braking his back in a 150ft fall when rock climbing in Snowdonia. It became a personal goal for him t not only learn to walk again but to lead an expedition that would be a true adventure in the old fashioned sense. On the trip he was also able to help Weston Spirit, the charity set up by ex-Welsh  Guardsman and Falklands casualty Simon Weston. The charity helps young people from inner cities and on each phase of the expedition there was one Weston Spirit volunteer.

In Roof of Africa the author combines an enthralling adventure story with a sensitive insight into the conditions, people and wildlife that they encountered.