Classic, Dispatch | Central African Republic
Our year in adventure
It’s been another exciting year for our exploration team in terms of both designing travel experiences and having the opportunity to travel to Africa to new and rare destinations. There have been so many special trips; some of which have been guided by our own team and others which have seen us send clients and journalists to our favourite places, specifically in East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. So, here are some highlights from a year overflowing with adventure. Thanks to everyone who joined us!
Pushing the travel envelope
‘Our adventure took us through an extraordinary collection of some of the least-visited habitats across central Africa. Beginning in the heart of the Congo in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of the Congo, we were lucky to spend time with the African Parks team and learn what it takes to manage and protect a landscape of such magnitude. We then travelled to the north and east, moving into logistically more complex terrain, finally arriving in Nouabalé-Ndoki, at a coordinate known as the ‘last place on Earth’. From here, we crossed the border to find sanctuary in the good company of Sangha, the ideal point from which to experience the ‘village of the elephants’ at Dzanga Bai, a highlight of the Congo Basin and what is, for me, one of the finest wildlife experiences in the world. I’d just like to say how this style of trip wouldn’t have been possible were it not for Jill and Andoni’s complete trust in our capability, the ‘wild process’ and their willingness to try something out of their comfort zone. For that, I thank Jill and Andoni a million times for the gift of guiding such a journey.’ – Kyle de Nobrega, Guide & Exploration Specialist
Spotlight: Sangha Lodge
Run and owned by the Cassidies, a family who are true local experts and deliver some of the most special guided experiences, including net-hunting Ba’aka tribespeople, fishing, and tracking forest elephant and western lowland gorillas. Bordering the Dzangha Sangha National Reserve on the eastern banks of the sleepy Sangha River, Sangha Lodge remains one of the remotest on the continent today.
Walking Tanzania
‘I had originally psyched myself up for experiencing the new Nomad Ugalla Camp, but due to severe rain sadly the camp was inaccessible. The camp moves throughout the year and guests can enjoy this incredible experience in the northern Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Ruaha National Park, Ugalla River National Park, and Tarangire National Park. Despite my sadness of not being able to head to Ugalla, all was not lost and our great friends at Nomad were so kind as to set up the same camp and team in a walking area of Tarangire. My brilliant walking guide, Prim Mlay, who also happens to be one of the best guides in the country, met me to embark on my three-night walking expedition. ‘How are you with snakes’, Prim asked. I told him I’d rather not share a tent with one, other than that I am fine! As it turns out, whilst the team set up my tent overlooking the Gurusi swamp and under some Acacia trees, they noticed two pythons resting above. Turns out that these beautiful snakes would become a prominent feature of my journey, and I grew very fond of them.’ – Hannah Rayner, Exploration Specialist
Spotlight: expeditionary walking camp
Remote and wild, Ugalla River’s tourism infrastructure is all but non-existent, which is also its joyous appeal. Nomad Tanzania’s Expeditionary Walking Camp is the key to exploring the park’s otherwise inaccessible and virtually unexplored wilderness, while still providing security and first-rate comfort. Reminiscent of the great continental excursions of the 19th century, Expeditionary Walking Camp is a venture into Ugalla’s vast landscape on foot, with the team carrying all equipment and supplies with them. Each excursion can support up to three A-Frame canvas tents which can sleep up to six guests, plus additional facilities such as bucket showers and drop toilets. As mentioned, Nomad can arrange these expeditions in various locations in Tanzania.
In the company of the best
‘From cruising the dry river beds on quad bikes to boating over to South Island for lunch overlooking ancient Lake Turkana, everything at Koros feels like proper off-grid adventure travel. You’re in the company of the very best, an excellent team of guides and camp staff who showcase how the simple things can make for the most compelling of experiences. Places like this are rare these days and I feel lucky to have experienced this painfully beautiful part of Kenya – courtesy of the wonderful Honour Way.’ – Frankie McCarthy, Travel Design Partner
spotlight: Koros camp
Located in the small village of South Horr in northern Kenya, just in reach of extinct volcanoes, desert plains, and the enigmatic Lake Turkana, Koros Camp is a small exclusive-use and owner-run bush camp, offering ample comfort in an environment of extremes.
The wildest of the wild
‘Hands-down my favourite journey of the year is Kweene Trails in the Okavango Delta where I walked on foot with a pack of 18 wild dogs, and landed at a waterhole by helicopter to breakfast in the company of elephants. Such a cool experience and memories I’ll keep close to my heart for the rest of my life.’ – Kim Lincoln, Travel Design Partner
spotlight: Kweene trails
A family-run business owned by Simon and Marleen Byron, who have more than 30 years of combined safari experience, Beagle Expeditions’s Kweene Trails is an ultra-remote mobile camp experience in the Abu Private Reserve in Botswana. A journey between two camps in diverse habitat zones of the Okavango Delta accessible only by helicopter, Kweene Trails is a truly wild journey into one of Botswana’s last remaining remote wilderness areas. Guests begin their adventure at Kweene River Camp in the southern part of the Kweene River, a periodic swamp habitat with arid conditions and grass-dominated floodplains. Then the journey ends further north of the river system at Magwegwe Camp, a seasonal swamp habitat of endless floodplains, overgrown islands and year-round water flow.
A different perspective
‘Kenya is not well known for its wildlife hide photography, that is until Raaji Bharij built the hide at Lentorre in the south Rift Valley near Shompole. A wonderful way to meet the seldom-seen species such as striped hyena and caracal, it has since attracted photographic groups led by some of the world’s best wildlife photographers. Raaji has added a second hide with spectacular views towards Mount Shompole, providing the backdrop and opportunity for guests after that very special shot. The hides are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable night’s sleep and an accompanying guide will wake you if they spot something exciting. In my opinion, this is a much more exciting way to see nocturnal animals than going on a night game drive.’ – Squack Evans, Guide & Exploration Specialist
If anything in this list of adventure highlights has piqued your travelling imagination, please get in touch with our exploration desk. We look forward to planning your 2025 travel dreams!