Alistair

MEET ALI

After graduating I spent 2 years in the dust, driving groups of mainly antipodeans from Nairobi to Cape Town on what could only be called an extended camping safari that went on for about 70 days and about 15,000 kms. By the end we all knew each other quite intimately! Endless interactions and laughs with the locals; the true untamed wilderness; endless incredible sunsets; amazing white beaches; the wildlife; the banter round the campfire and the bright night skies. At the end we had a few days R&R in Cape Town, then we drove back up to do it all again with a fresh load of Aussies and Kiwis. Good times.

They say Africa gets under your skin. It certainly did for me. Having spent a large proportion of my adolescence away from the UK in places like Brazil, Australasia and Europe I still get drawn back to Africa, one way or another. So on returning from my adventures in the dust I managed to get a job with a posh tour operator (Abercrombie & Kent) selling Africa before joining a start-up Africa tour operator which was an 8 year adventure in itself. In 2016 I left to work within the adventure travel industry but was drawn back to my original passion and started at Far and Wild Travel towards the back end of 2018. So for the last 15 years, in one way or another, I have been involved in helping organise trips to Africa for all walks of life, from Lords and Ladies to Bruce, the Queenslander who was convinced that the 'Okavango Delta' was a radio sign-off.

My Expertise - I can advise on a broad range of destinations and activities, but I especially love Self-drive safaris, Botswana, Madagascar, and South Africa.

REVIEWS OF HOLIDAYS I'VE CREATED

Had a really great holiday in Madagascar - exceeded all expectations - Thanks for all your help in making this such a success

Jeremy - Madagascar Holiday

The desert overnight and quad bike was amazing and would have travelled the distance just for that - Thank you for an incredible trip

Karen & Family - Adventure Safari in Botswana

The whole thing felt seamless and meant it was such a relaxing experience. This was definitely a trip we will remember.

Jenny & Harry - Tanzania Honeymoon

MY TOP TRAVEL MOMENTS

• Sunrise atop Ol Donyo Lengai, Tanzania
• Long weekend on the Skeleton Coast, Namibia
• Beach hopping in The Seychelles

WHERE I'VE BEEN RECENTLY

Summer 2022 was a family combo of Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Prior to that I was in Northern Kenya and a real favourite Sao Tome and Principe.

I also went cycling in India! What an experience, a great way to see this magical country. There were certainly bits we would have missed had we been travelling by road. Sometimes you just have to get off the beaten track.

I LOVE STAYING AT...

Apoka Safari Lodge – Uganda - A bit of luxury in the wilderness

Shipwreck Lodge – Namibia - Just wonderful. Great views, service, and WHAT A LOCATION

Sundy Praia - Principe Island - A bit of hidden secret. So much on offer in a stunning location.

COUNTRIES I'VE VISITED

Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania & Zanzibar, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, Madagascar, Dubai, India, Sao Tome and Principe

MY TOP TRAVEL TIPS

• Hand Sanitiser - Always good to have to hand, especially these days!!
• Decent hat - Can be a lifesaver when trying to get out of the sun
• Spare battery power - I have a power bank and a solar charger. Great combo.

MY READING ESSENTIALS

• Shadow of The Sun, timeless classic and a great introduction to many African countries.
• The Sheltering Desert - two men take shelter in one of the harshest places on earth to escape WW2.
• Don't run, whatever you do - some great guiding tales.
• A long Way Gone - a harrowing true story about a child soldier in West Africa.

MY FUTURE ADVENTURES

• Deepest darkest Namibia - Magical scenery by day and inspiring skies by night, and... very few people!
• Ethiopia - Inspired by John Blashford-Snell's tales of the Blue Nile, true King Solomon's Mines stuff
• The Serengeti - It's been too long