Mike Horn is a South African explorer.

Mike Horn is a South African explorer.

Mike was born in Johannesburg in South Africa. After studying Human Movement Science at the University of Stellenbosch, he left South Africa in 1990 to travel to Europe where he started work as a ski instructor, river guide and cannoning guide.

In 1991, Mike left for a paragliding and rafting expedition in the Peruvian Andes. On his return he was asked to become a member of the Sector No Limits sports team and shortly after descending the Mont Blanc Glacier on a body board ending at the French Riviera.

In 1995, Mike opened the No Limits Outdoor Activity Sports Centre in Switzerland. It was during this time that he broke the world record for the highest descent of a waterfall with a hydro speed, on the Pacauare River in Costa Rica.

Mike launched his first big expedition in 1997: the 6-month solo traverse of the South American continent. He left on foot from the Pacific Ocean and climbed to the source of the Amazon River high in the Peruvian Andes. From here he descended the 7,000 km of river on a hydro speed until he reached the Atlantic Ocean.

Since then, Mike has become fascinated by yet another sport, sailing. Along with Laurent Bournon, he won the Multihull Grand Prix.

After this he was asked to join the crew on Mari Char III, a 45m monohull. Much to their delight they beat the transatlantic world record with 2 days and 14 hours.

In 1999, Mike launched his biggest adventure: Latitude Zero. This involved the circumnavigation of the world along the equator, around the world in solitaire in 17 months, from June 1999 to October 2000, and without any motorised transport. Starting in Gabon on the West Coast of Africa, Mike traversed the Atlantic Ocean in a small trimaran of 8 meters. On his arrival in South America, he left his boat in the care of his logistics team then continued on foot and pirogue through the Amazon jungle only to find his trimaran awaiting him once again on the West Coast. After 3 months of navigation on the Pacific Ocean he arrived at the Indonesian Islands and then crossed the Indian Ocean.

Africa, the last continent, Mike crossed on foot, mountain bike and pirogue.

Mike is the first man ever to achieve such a feat and his since become internationally renown.

Mike has received many merits and prizes, namely the Laureus Award for best Alternative Sportsman of the Year, Adventurer of the Year for Outthere magazine and the Toison d'Or for the film festival in Dijon.