Sponsors

I couldn’t have done what I love to do, without the help of the following equipment companies, kit sponsors and accommodation providers. You guys have helped make my dreams come true. Thank you!

NAVIGATION

Tracks4Africa are an online mapping tool which covers most of Africa and works with Garmin GPS.  It’s full of all sorts of awesome way points and useful info, from good wild camping spots to all important fuel pumps (handy for Egypt at the moment with it’s fuel shortage and Sudan with it’s one pump every 500kms).  T4A uses information from travelers to keep the information current – handy as it also grades the roads so you get a good sense of how long a stretch might take you which as been super useful.  No point planning a 300km stretch in a day if it’s going to take 18 hours…  I would recommend this for anyone traveling in or through Africa – it’s been fantastic.

EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES

Osprey Backpacks – not only are Osprey and incredibly cool looking brand, they have thought of just about everything a traveller, hiker or backpacker might need. The ‘anti-gravity’ feature in the backpacks is cleverly designed, taking the weight off your shoulders and distributing it more evenly by allowing your hips to take more of the strain. The little pockets, placed strategically in just the right places, are super traveller friendly and allow you to store high-use items in easy-to-reach places.

I have opted for the Aura 65 for my next expedition and couldn’t be happier with the space and the way it carries heavy loads. It’s also an incredibly cool aqua colour, making me look the part of a modern day adventurer. Time to go out and get it dirty!

Ooooooh Palm Equipment! I couldn’t believe my luck when this company decided to give me a load of equipment to take with me to Africa! I will be using their Kaikoura PFD as well as their awesome paddles.

Palm have a long list of completely incredible individual legends that they support and I couldn’t be more chuffed with the fact that they are on board with the Tanganyika Paddle Expedition.

LIFESAVER Systems are providing immediate and long-term solutions to the provision of safe drinking around the world. From the immediacy of flash flooding in Bangladesh or Pakistan to the long term provision of water in Malaysia LIFESAVER systems are providing the solutions and working alongside The Red Cross, Oxfam and many other AID agencies

Whether it be hiking, fishing, travelling or camping, you can now own a LIFESAVER product to help ensure you have clean, sterile and disease & virus free drinking and washing water supply.

LIFESAVER systems have sponsored part of a jerry can with a 10,000 litre capacity cartridge – enough for 40 litres of safe drinking water per day for my 8 month expedition, which is a welcome donation!

Amazing how people come through for you at the 11th hour – massive shout out to Trek Overland who part sponsored my Howling Moon awning, and made a huge effort to get it to me in the dying hours a day before the Beast was loaded onto the container!

I have also received my Howling Moon roof top tent as well as my Patriot roof rack from Trek Overland for a reduced rate.  They have been extremely helpful and couldn’t do enough for me!

Watch these videos of opening up and packing away the Howling Moon Roof Top Tent.

So grateful for my Havaianas sponsorship – awesome flip flops to keep my feet looking cool and trendy under the harsh African sun.

I’m pleased to announce that I have been given a few pairs, including a shiny silver pair for “evening wear” – heartfelt thanks goes out to the Havaianas distributor for East Africa for my rubber soles!

ACCOMMODATION

My favourite place in East Africa has to be awarded to this gem. Set on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, you couldn’t ask for a more remote and tranquil piece of paradise.

Owner run, Lake Shore Lodge boasts a high standard of accommodation for a comparatively modest cost. It has a range of accommodation options, from camping to bandas, chalets to honeymoon suites, and the chefs produce food that rivals any upmarket London restaurant.

Set in a stunning coconut grove on a beautiful bay, Che Shale is a gorgeous hideaway just north of Malindi on the north coast of Kenya. The owners, Justin and Isabelle, were the perfect hosts and welcomed me into their little paradise for three amazingly relaxing days. The atmosphere at Che Shale is tranquil, and although full, you almost feel like you have the place to yourself. The staff are wonderful and the food is out of this world!
Che Shale resort and have a gorgeous boutique Beach Life.

Camp Carnelleys is an awesome campsite on the south shore of Lake Naivasha.  Run by the owners Lovat and Chris Carnelley, the grounds are excellent for camping, and the little bandas for rent are unique in their own traditional African style.  I had the pleasure of spending almost a week here and highly recommend it if you are visiting Lake Naivasha.  The restaurant sells food that is out of this world!

Camp Carnelleys is the perfect place from which to explore the lake, Crater Lake Conservancy or Hell’s Gate Park.

EXPERIENCES

Hot Air Ballooning with Governors Balloon Safaris over the Masai Mara

Kitesurfing in Diani with H2O Extreme