Armchair Explorer: Daily Summaries Delivered

ADVENTURE: Kayak the Kwanza: the World-Record Paddle Down Angola’s Longest River

Follow travel author Oscar Scafidi on his world-record paddle down the Kwanza River inAngola. Stretching 600-miles from its source in the Angolan Highlands, in the center of thecountry, to the Atlantic Ocean on the country’s west coast, Oscar and his partner AlfieWeston kayaked the entire length and hiked an additional two hundred miles to circumventrapids, waterfalls and dams.The going was tough and they were unprepared for the dangers and hardships ahead. But,that’s also part of what’s so inspiring and unique about this story – Oscar and Alfie aren’tprofessional adventurers, explorers or African bush experts. They’re just two young guyswith a crazy idea and a lot of guts.They faced man-eating crocodiles, angry hippos and even angrier police. But over 33 harddays, camping beside the banks of the river and in small settlements along the way, theyreached the ocean and in doing so did something no one else had ever achieved before,which has since been recognised as an official world-record by Guinness World RecordsThis is a story about that adventure, but it’s also a story about dreaming big, taking risks andachieving something extraordinary. If two ordinary guys, with very little kayakingexperience, can paddle the entire length of one of the longest rivers in Africa, why can’t youachieve your travel dreams too?Highlights:Facing 600-miles of man-eating crocodiles, deadly rapids and pods of angry hipposKayaking the entire length of one of the least explored rivers on the planet – an official Guinness World RecordDiscovering Angola, one of Africa’s least visited and most misunderstood countries,still reeling from the aftermath of a brutal civil war.But one that’s also filled with incredible wildlife, surfing, hiking and moreGetting arrested in the middle of the night at gun point by the security forcesBeing inspired to follow your own dreams of adventure and hearing what it takes to get it doneIf you want to connect with Oscar directly his Instagram is @oscarscafidi and his twitter is@scafiditravels. He also has an awesome YouTube channel which charts this trip and hisother adventures www.youtube.com/c/ScafidiTravelsThe book of this journey is called Kayak the Kwanza: Source to Sea Along Angola’s LongestRiver - www.amazon.com/Kayak-Kwanza-Oscar-Scafidi/dp/1789650127Oscar and Alfie were raising money for the HALO Trust who are removing landmines fromAngola and other war-torn countries around the world. Their goal is a landmine-free wolrsby 2025. Help them get there at www.halotrust.orgFollow @armchairexplorer podcast on Instagram and Facebook or head over towww.armchair-explorer.com to find more background information on this episodeMentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast

IMMERSION: Hog Heaven - On Location at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the biggest two-wheeled party in the world drawing hundreds of thousands of riders each year to the Black HIlls of South Dakota. Join presenter Brian Thacker on location as he gets right in amongst it - riding Main Street on a Fat Boy Harley-Davidson, taking in the stunts, burnouts and live rock at the legendary Buffalo Chip, meeting a Hall of Famer, a Sturgis veteran and a 100-year-old rider who still hasn't stopped. Whether you ride a motorcycle or not, this is a wild ride into one of the loudest festivals on the planet.You'll hear from:Rod "Woody" Woodruff, founder of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip, the legendary concert and events venue at the heart of the rallyMichael Lichter, photographer and chronicler of motorcycle culture for over four decadesMilton "Mac" McKinney, Sturgis veteran and keeper of the rally's spiritGloria Struck - centenarian rider, still on two wheels at 100 years oldCris Sommer-Simmons - Sturgis Hall of Famer and one of the great figures of American motorcycle cultureFIND OUT MOREOur on-location Immersion documentaries are designed so that you can experience everything we did in this episode. Visit travelsouthdakota.com for inspiration, ideas and everything you need to plan your own South Dakota adventureSHARE THE RIDEIf this episode fired something up in you - please send it to just one person, one friend, one family member who's ever dreamed of hitting the open road. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds, and helps us continue to tell stories like this.CONNECT WITH USIf you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it. It means you get to choose what episodes you listen to, rather than the algorithm guess (wrongly) and kick us off your feed.Facebook: @armchairexplorerpodcastInstagram: @armchairexplorerpodcastCREDITSArmchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions. Brian Thacker wrote and presented this episode. Jason Paton did the field recording and production. Aaron Millar was executive producer.Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast

DISCOVER: Into the Wild - A Road Trip Through Australia's Northern Territory

In today’s Discover Destination guide, we’re taking a road trip across the Northern Territory of Australia, from crocodile close-encounters and aboriginal rock art to a wonder of the world that’s been drawing people to it for more than 30,000-years. The Top End, as it’s known, is ancient, vast, deeply spiritual, and unlike anywhere else on Earth. This is a journey into its heart to discover one of the wildest and most fascinating places in the country.Highlights include:Exploring Arnhem Land, a 200,000 acre wilderness home to the largest collection of Aboriginal rock art on Earth..Sitting by the campfire with Peter ‘Fingers’ Taylor of Finnis River Lodge hearing stories of wildlife close-calls and the greatest animal rescue story you will ever hear (spoiler: it involves giving CPR to a possum).Seeing Uluru for the first time: more than 1,000ft tall, and nearly six miles around, this giant stark red sandstone monolith is one of the great wonders of the natural world, and infused throughout with aboriginal history stretching back to the Dreamtime.Walking in Kata Tjuta, Uluru’s less-visited but equally sacred neighbour - 36 ancient domes of rock, and a Valley of the Winds hike that might just be one of the most beautiful in Australia.PLAN YOUR TRIPWe designed this itinerary with a company called Down Under Endeavors, who specialize in authentic Australian adventures: wide open spaces, real wilderness, and the kind of local characters you'll be telling stories about for years.Armchair Explorer listeners get $500 off any trip. Head to downunderendeavors.com/armchair and use the code ARMCHAIR at checkout. You can literally book this exact trip - with these exact guides - or design something entirely your own. You can book from anywhere in the world, and even if you're just dreaming right now, the website is worth a visit, and the dream is half the fun.GOT 30 SECONDS?If this episode made you want to book a flight to Australia, do us a favour and send it to just one person who you think might need an escape too. It helps us continue to build this community of travelers who want to protect the outdoors, learn from different cultures, and celebrate the pure joy of exploring this beautiful planet. We think that’s a message that’s worth sharing. If you do too, please leave a review or pass it on.FOLLOW USInstagram: @armchairexplorerpodcastFacebook: @armchairexplorerpodcastCREDITSArmchair Explorer is produced by Armchair Productions, find out other shows at armchair-productions.com. Aaron Millar writes and presents the show. Charles Tyrie does the audio editing and sound design. Theme music by the artist Sweet Chap.Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast

BUCKET LIST: The River Nevis Race - Scotland’s Extreme White-water Pool Floatie Race

Today host Aaron Millar is sharing a bucket list bit of madness — literal adventure insanity he got up to about 15 years ago in the Scottish Highlands. It's called the Glen Nevis River Race, and it involves hurling yourself down two miles of white-water rapids with nothing but a novelty inflatable for company.Picture part extreme white-water adventure, part Monty Python's Navy — competitors arrive bearing giant inflatable swans, killer whales, dinosaurs and, for one unfortunate soon-to-be husband, a blow-up doll. It's one of those rare, acutely British moments when only the preposterousness of your situation matches the bravado required to see it through. And Aaron has never, ever laughed so hard in his life.Highlights include:Hearing what it feels like to stand on the edge of a thundering 40ft waterfall, inflatable lilo in hand, with a crowd screaming at you to jump.Discovering what it feels like to be swept into a churning cauldron of white-water with nothing but an inflatable air mattress to keep you afloat.Finding out about the world's most wonderfully ridiculous outdoor adventures — including World Bog Snorkelling, Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling, and the Frozen Dead Guy Days festival.FIND OUT MOREThe Glen Nevis River Race is an annual summer event held in Glen Nevis, Scotland, raising money for the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team. It's free to enter but contestants must raise a minimum of £100 in sponsorship. It's run by No Fuss Events: find out more at nofussevents.co.ukOther adventures mentioned in this episode:World Bog Snorkelling Championships: held each summer near Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales: green-events.co.ukCooper's Hill Cheese Rolling: annual chaos every last Monday of May in Gloucestershire: cheese-rolling.co.ukFrozen Dead Guy Days: Estes Park, Colorado. Yes, it's real. Yes, you should go. VisitEstesPark.comSHARE THIS EPISODEIf this story made you laugh — and it will — do Aaron a favour and send it to just one person who needs a little madness in their life right now. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds, or leave a review. We’re trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle.FOLLOW US:Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcastFacebook: @armchairexplorerpodcastCONNECT WITH US:If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show, and continue to bring this content to you.Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair Productions.Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

BEST OF EXPLORER: Arabia, a 5,000-mile Journey into the Heart of the Middle East with Explorer Levison Wood

Levison Wood is one of the world’s most well-known explorers, TV presenters and authors. Join him for a 5,000-mile journey through the heart of the Middle East, from the front lines of Iraq and Syria through the Empty Quarter desert to Yemen, the West Bank and beyond. 13 countries in five months, his most complicated and dangerous expedition yet. Following in the footsteps of great explorers such as Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger, we will pass through some of the most devastated and war-torn areas on the planet, but also some of the most fascinating and historic too. We will peel back our preconceptions and discover a hidden side to the Middle East, beyond the headlines and politics. This is the real Arabia, a mosaic of the best and worst of humanity, a quest to better understand the region and, perhaps, ourselves.Highlights include:Hear how one totally random chance event changed his life and led him to become one of the world’s most famous explorersHitchhiking to Baghdad during the Gulf war – hear the story of Levison’s first and craziest ever adventure as a young university studentFollow him to the front line, as he embeds with Kurdish fighters in Iraq, liberating ISIS held cities Discover the Mesopotamian Marshes, the jewel of southern Iraq, where one of the most ancient cultures in the world is slowly rebuilding their livesCross the Empty Quarter desert on foot, 10-days through one of the harshest environments on the planetSneak into Yemen and cross over into Somalia by fishing boat, through the most pirate infested waters on EarthExplore Jerusalem, and the West Bank, joining a demonstration that turns into a riot“This is a story of my own wanderings set against a backdrop of interesting times. I have tried to challenge the prevailing winds where possible and contest stereotypes, hopefully smashing a few myths along the way.”Levison WoodFIND OUT MORELevison Wood is a British explorer, writer and photographer. He's written seven best-selling books, presented and produced some of the best travel and adventure documentaries out there, and done some quite simply incredible expeditions. Find out more at www.levisonwood.com Instagram:@levison.wood / Facebook: @levisonwoodofficial / Twitter: @levisonwood SHARE THIS EPISODEIf this story lit something up in you, do me a favour - send it to just one person. One friend, one family member, one person you think needs a little adventure in their life right now. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds. Or go Old School and tell someone about it over a cheeky pint! I'm trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle. https://linktr.ee/armchairexplorerpodcast FOLLOW US: Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast CONNECT WITH US: If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show, and continue to bring this content to you.Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair Productions. armchair-productions.com, armchair-explorer.com Mentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

LONELY PLANET: The Aurora Chaser

Witnessing the Northern Lights is one of the most awe-inspiring experiences on the planet, and in today’s interview episode we’re going to hear what it feels like to stand beneath them - a cascade of color raining down from the sky all around you. In Norse mythology the Aurora were the armour of the Valkyries. The Inuit saw spirits playing in the sky. The Sami hid indoors in fear. And science has its own story too, because what we are really witnessing is the energy of the sun itself, travelling 93 million miles across space, and exploding into color in our atmosphere. We may now be able to explain them scientifically, but their effect on us is unchanged. This is a story about the science of solar winds and magnetic fields, the mythology of ancient cultures who saw gods and fire in the sky, and the art of chasing something wild, unpredictable and utterly mesmerizing. Taking us deeper into that experience is Tom Kerss, one of the world's leading Aurora experts. Tom's passion for the Aurora is infectious, his knowledge extraordinary, and his way of describing what you see in that sky inspiring and poetic.FIND OUT MOREProduced in collaboration with Lonely Planet: lonelyplanet.com Tom Kerss is one of the world's leading Aurora experts and the onboard Aurora guide for expedition cruise company Hurtigruten. They run spectacular trips along the Norwegian coast, and if this episode inspires you to go and see the lights for yourself you can travel with Tom on one of their astronomy voyages. Find out more at hurtigruten.com. Connect with Tom and find out more about his work at tomkerss.com, or follow him on Instagram at @tomkerss.Note: a full adventure documentary episode going on a Northern Lights expedition cruise up the Norwegian coast is coming next month. Hit follow so you don't miss it!SHARE THIS EPISODEIf this story lit something up in you, do me a favour and send it to just one person. One friend, one family member, one person you think needs a little wonder in their life right now. I'm trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle. You'd be helping Tom's story reach someone who really needs to hear it. Leave a review or hit that share button in your podcast appFOLLOW US:Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcastFacebook: @armchairexplorerpodcastCREDITSArmchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Audio editing on this episode was by Jason Paton. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair-Productions.comMentioned in this episode:Check out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel PodcastCheck out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast Network

A Million Steps on Lava with Ricardo Kaljouw

Today we are going to travel across all seven continents, through steaming craters and frozen summits, into the heart of the world's most active volcanoes. This is a story about chasing fire.Ricardo Kaljouw is one of only a handful of people on Earth to have completed the Volcanic Seven Summits — climbing the highest volcano on every continent. From his first glimpse of Kilimanjaro rising above the Tanzanian savannah, to standing alone on the roof of Antarctica in minus 49 degree cold, Ricardo's story is one of extraordinary resilience, raw adventure, and the kind of fire that, once lit, simply cannot be put out.Highlights of The Volcanic Seven Summits:Standing on the roof of Africa — and the sunrise that greeted Ricardo on the way down from Kilimanjaro that changed everything.Watching the largest lava lake in the world come alive at night on the slopes of Nyiragongo in Rwanda.Surviving a lightning storm at altitude on Iran's Mount Damavand.Getting lost in the jungle of Papua New Guinea with no food, a missing porter, and a village of locals who may have been hunting him.Being stranded alone on the highest volcano on earth, Ojos del Salado in Chile.That final, extraordinary moment on Mount Sidley in Antarctica — six years in the making, 17,000 kilometres from home.FIND OUT MORERicardo Kaljouw's book is called A Million Steps on Lava: Climbing the Highest Volcano on Each Continent. It's a gripping, inspiring read — and what makes it especially unique is that Ricardo started exactly where many of us are: dreaming of high peaks without any real experience of climbing them. It's a story that makes the extraordinary feel possible.Follow Ricardo's ongoing expeditions on Instagram at @volcanicsevensummits and search up the book wherever books are sold.SHARE THIS EPISODEIf this story lit something up in you, do me a favour — send it to just one person. One friend, one family member, one person you think needs a little fire in their life right now. Hit the share button in your podcast app, it takes about ten seconds. Or go Old School and tell someone about it over a cheeky pint! I'm trying to reach 1,000 new listeners this series, and every single share genuinely moves the needle. You'd be helping Ricardo's story reach someone who really needs to hear it.FOLLOW US: Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast CONNECT WITH US: If you enjoy the show, please subscribe on whatever podcast player you're reading this on right now. Go on, do it! It helps us grow the show, and continue to bring this content to you.Armchair Explorer is written and presented by Aaron Millar. Audio editing and sound design by Charles Tyrie. Theme music by Sweet Chap. Produced by Armchair Productions.Mentioned in this episode:Check out all of our other travel podcasts from around the worldThis podcast is part of the Voyascape Network, a collection of some of the world’s best travel podcasts. Explore more at Voyascape.com. For advertising or sponsorship opportunities across the network, see the link below.Voyascape Podcast NetworkCheck out the Smart Travel PodcastThis week's show is supported by the new Smart Travel Podcast. Travel smarter — and spend less — with help from NerdWallet. Check out Smart Travel at the Link below:Smart Travel Podcast

A Life Underground: Into the Sacred Caves of the Black Hills