HAMISH
Travel has always been a part of my life. With three aunts and an uncle living across Nepal, India, Egypt and the USA, there was always a reason to explore somewhere new, but it was Africa that truly captured my heart. At the age of nine, we were fortunate enough to rent a property in Laikipia, Kenya, where we spent seven unforgettable summers. I was captivated by the people and wildlife, and that passion only deepened over time.
Despite an initial attempt to pursue a career outside of travel, spending three years in accountancy, I ultimately gave in to the inevitable and joined The Ultimate Travel Company in 2019. Since then, I haven’t looked back. My time with Ultimate has taken me across the globe, from the plains of Tanzania and Botswana to the ice fields of Antarctica, the temples of Japan, and the jungles of Peru. Each destination has reinforced my belief that travel is not just about places, but the people you meet and the cultures you immerse yourself in.
At its best, travel is about more than just ticking off destinations, it is about engaging with the landscapes, cultures, people and preserving the very places that inspire us.
MY FAVOURITE PLACE
The Africa Bush. This is where my love for travel began, and every time I am lucky enough to head out on safari my 10 year old excited-self returns. I also really don’t think you can beat an African sundowner.
MY FAVOURITE LODGE
I have one for family travel and one for more grown up trips. For family holidays, it’s Vakkaru Maldives. From its location to the exceptional staff, it ticks every box, and the house reef is simply incredible.
When travelling without young children, it has to be Hoanib Valley Camp in Namibia. It’s all about location with this one. Set back from the (mostly dry) Hoanib River, the camp offers magical night sky, unforgettable tracking of desert-adapted lions, and incredible encounters with desert elephants.
MY MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
In March 2019, I was lucky enough to join The Ultimate Travel Company’s expedition to the Antarctic Circle, and it’s a trip that will stay with me forever. From spotting my first iceberg to walking among penguins, kayaking with whales, and following a pod of orcas from our ship, the entire experience felt completely out of this world. I doubt I’ll ever return, but it is without question a bucket-list experience.
MY TOP TIPS
1.Turn off your phone. I am not the best person at this, but a holiday is only really a holiday when you are able to shut out the outside noise and fully immerse yourself with your surroundings, distraction free.
2.Learn a few local words. Please, thank you, good morning, are always good starting points and even if pronounced badly the effort goes a long way!
3.Plan ahead. It’s very rare, if ever, that you can get a holiday for less when booking las minute (mainly because of airfares). What you are guaranteed to get however is less availability, and less flexibility. In general 9 months, or more, in advance is the perfect time to book. If you are a large group and looking at school holidays that 12+ months is a good rule of thumb. We can at times lock in better rates when booking well in advance, as hotel costs tend to increase by 5%-10% each year and we can (at times) convince them to honour a lower rate when booking well in advance/before they release their new rates.
4.Wake up early and enjoy the sunrise and calm before the day begins. Whether you’re touring around Asian cities or hiking in Patagonia, you will always see a different side of life at your destination when you wake up before the day begin. I’m generally a ‘night owl’ but I will always look to have one early rise at each location to enjoy the morning calm.
5.Don’t cram in too much. It’s easy to get lulled into the sense that, because you are somewhere you need to see everything. Cramming in too much will undoubtedly leave you feeling rushed, and tired. Downtime is key, and allows you to be flexible when you are on location.
6.iPhones are brilliant for general scenery and architecture, but if you planning to photograph anything at a distance you really do need a good camera (and lens).
7. Carry a portable charger. Nothing worse than taking photos all day to then realise that the perfect shot has presented itself and you phone/camera has gone dead.
8. Don’t overpack, especially when on safari. Its always easy to get lulled into thinking you need multiple outfits, but in reality you need a couple of pairs of trouser and tops for your game drives and then a few outfits for the evening. Washing is turned around in 24 hours, so it’s easy to pack light and give yourself more allowance with camera, binocular, etc kit.
9. Keep essentials in your hand luggage. Sadly, international airline carriers don’t always deliver you luggage when you expect so ensure that you take any important medication, valuables, and a spare pair of cloths in your hand luggage.
10. Book your activities in advance. It may seem obvious, but not all activities, spa treatments, etc will be available when you are in country. Best to check with your travel specialist when booking to find out what is/isn’t important to plane in advance.
HAMISH’S TRAVEL JOURNAL
