By Karim Hammam
Extreme adventurer Ash Dykes has returned to London after an 18-day kayaking expedition through the Congo Basin, the first leg of his Project Six series of six back-to-back journeys through extreme environments within 12 months.
18-Day Journey Through Congo Basin
The 35-year-old Welsh explorer paddled 434 miles (800 kilometers) from the Sangha River to the Congo River in Central Africa, spending up to 15 hours a day on an inflatable kayak. Dykes spent three to four months preparing for the trek, which he had postponed for at least six years due to concerns about regional conflict and wildlife. Despite extreme heat, insects, and flooded rainforest conditions, he encountered no crocodiles or hippos and later described it as the easiest expedition he has ever undertaken.
Social Media Blackout Sparks Panic
A 16-hour loss of signal on Dykes' Garmin device triggered widespread speculation among his more than six million followers on TikTok and Instagram. While many fans expressed concern, some internet users speculated about his possible death. Dykes said the reaction showed "there was no winning" — if he survived, critics called the journey boring; if he had perished, they would have claimed validation.
Expedition Deemed 'Easiest' Despite Fears
Dykes, who has previously trekked across Mongolia, Madagascar, and the Amazon, said the Congo had been his biggest fear for years. He credited thorough preparation and reliance on local knowledge for a safe passage without disease or injury. He dismissed suggestions the blackout was a publicity stunt, pointing to his 15-year exploration career documented by BBC Earth and National Geographic.
Next Stop: Frozen Mountains of Kyrgyzstan
Dykes announced Thursday that his next expedition will begin November 14, a two-to-three-week horseback crossing of the frozen mountains of Kyrgyzstan. He acknowledged his body has had little time to recover from the Congo's heat and humidity, but said rapid adaptation between vastly different environments is the core challenge of Project Six. This time, he promised, he will maintain full satellite connectivity.
