At 2922 miles the Congo is the eighth longest river & the deepest in the world with a flow rate second only to the Amazon Ex-Marine Phil Harwood embarked on an epic solo journey from the river's true source in the highlands of Zambia through war-torn Central Africa With no outside help whatsoever he faced swamps waterfalls man-eating crocodiles hippos aggressive snakes & spiders' webs the size of houses He collapsed from malaria & was arrested intimidated & chased On one stretch known as The Abattoir' for its history of cannibalism & reputation for criminal activity the four brothers he hired as bodyguards were asked by locals Why haven't you cut his throat yet?' But he also received tremendous hospitality from proud & brave people long forgotten by the Western world especially friendly riverside fishermen who helped wherever they could on Phil's exhilarating & terrifying five-month journey Author's documentary film of the journey available on his website wwcanoeingthecongocom won several awards & went on tour in North America with the Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival