Wills and Harry embark on 1000-mile Africa motorbike trek for charity

London, October 19 : Princes William and Harry have begun the gruelling 1000-mile motorbike trek across Africa in a bid to raise money for charity.

The royals, who started their eight-day adventure into the South African wilderness on October 18, will test their endurance in what is understood to be a life-changing experience.

Africa apparently holds a favourite corner in the hearts of both Wills and Harry who posed for pictures in crash helmets, goggles, light body armour and protective boots while demonstrating their motorbike skills off their Honda CRF 230cc bikes before leaving.

Both the princes are said to have joined the Enduro Africa 08 charity ride partly for fun but chiefly for raising money while the event itself is their first since they staged the successful Concert for Diana last year in memory of their mother.

With more than 80 riders participating, the rally has managed to raise more than 300,000 pounds for three organisations working in southern Africa, with the princes donating a minimum of 1500 pounds to be a part of the event.

Donations for 'Sentebale', a charity founded by Prince Harry that supports vulnerable children and Aids orphans in Lesotho, also features in their list of fundraising act along with Unicef and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund.

"This is not a race it's an endurance test, it's all about finishing the route," the Telegraph quoted Simon Smith, the organiser of the event, as saying.

"It will grow you as a person by taking part. Most days will be spent on goat tracks with wonderful tribal people who see the world in a very different way to us.

"The riders will face 60-degree ascents, which will be a great challenge. Much of it will be down to mental fitness.

"The princes have bags of personality and are big characters - they are both in the forces and it shows," he added.

ANI