The long way up would be fantastic. We’d ride from South America to North America, but maybe not for a couple of years yet!

Adrian Hearn caught up with Charley at the NEC Bike Show to find out about his epic 15,000 mile trip.

“One man told us about a friend who went to sleep with his head sticking out of a shelter in Africa, only to be woken up by a hyena, attacking his face.”

But scare stories weren’t enough to put Charley Boorman and his best pal – Trainspotting star Ewan McGregor – off embarking on a 15,000 mile journey from John O’Groats to Cape Town, travelling through some of the world’s most beautiful, but dangerous places.

Part of the trip included visiting countries such as Sudan, Rwanda and North Uganda, a region which has been plagued by heavy fighting over the past 20 years, and where children are trained as warriors.

“North Uganda was the worst part of the trip,” says Charley. “These kids were taught to kill people at the age of seven. Bodies were dumped in streams which the children would have to drink from.”

“But my highlight was Ethiopia,” says Charley. “I’ve never seen so many cows in my life. It’s beautiful and the kids are happy and great fun.”

Despite dangerous wildlife, violence and disease, it was a different beast which put the fear into Charley. 

“The scariest part of the trip was Ewan’s snoring,” says Charley. “That, and when you wake up in your tent hearing cracking – it could be elephants, lions – anything. “

The Long Way Down’s accompanying book is gives a real insight into McGregor and Boorman’s journey – and their personalities. There is no sign of arrogant celebrities with ridiculous demands. You get the impression they’re genuine guys; bikers living the dream.

The book plots the journey from learning how to avoid being eaten by hyenas and negotiating with rebel terrorists to encountering gorillas in Rwanda before reaching their destination of Cape Agulhas, just south of Cape Town in South Africa.

One of the most poignant moments comes closer to home when the duo visited a children’s hospice in Scotland – an experience which clearly moved the two men.

After two unforgettable journeys, the exploring bug hasn’t left 43-year-old father of two. 

“The long way up would be fantastic,” says Charley. “We’d ride from South America to North America, but maybe not for a couple of years yet!”

The last episode of the BBC TWO series Long Way Down airs this Sunday at 9pm.

Long Way Down the book is currently on sale.