Video: Inside Ash Dykes’ Ambitious 700km Journey through the Congo Rainforest

Welsh explorer Ash Dykes is embarking on an ambitious 700-kilometre journey along the Sangha River through the Congo Basin, one of the world’s most important tropical rainforest regions.

Using an inflatable kayak, Dykes and his team will navigate the river while documenting the region’s wildlife, local communities and environmental challenges. The expedition marks the first mission under his ambitious Project Six series, which aims to explore remarkable environments and highlight issues affecting the natural world.

The journey will take the team through a vast rainforest landscape known for its rich biodiversity, waterways and diverse communities. Their expedition is expected to provide an opportunity to document the relationship between people and nature while drawing attention to the challenges facing the Congo Basin.

Who Is Ash Dykes?

Ash Dykes is a Welsh adventurer and explorer known for undertaking demanding expeditions across some of the world’s most challenging environments. He has built a reputation through long-distance journeys that test endurance, navigation and survival skills while documenting remote landscapes.

His previous adventures have included major expeditions across Mongolia, Madagascar and the Yangtze River in China, helping establish his profile as an explorer focused on endurance challenges and environmental storytelling.

Through his expeditions, Dykes combines adventure with documenting the landscapes, wildlife and people he encounters along the way.

The Congo Basin is one of the world's largest tropical rainforest regions and plays a significant role in supporting biodiversity, regulating the climate and sustaining millions of people.

Its forests and rivers provide habitats for numerous wildlife species and support communities that depend on natural resources for their livelihoods.

However, the region faces challenges including deforestation, pressure on natural resources and the effects of climate change. Documenting these issues can help raise awareness of the importance of protecting the ecosystem.

The 700-kilometre Sangha River expedition is the first mission under Dykes' Project Six series, bringing together exploration, adventure and environmental documentation.

Travelling by inflatable kayak, Dykes and his team will navigate the river while recording their experiences and the realities of life within the rainforest.

As the expedition progresses, the team will encounter the natural and logistical challenges of travelling through a remote environment, while documenting the wildlife and communities that make the Congo Basin distinctive.

The journey places Dykes at the centre of another demanding exploration, with the Sangha River providing a route through one of Africa’s most significant natural landscapes.

Through Project Six, the explorer aims to extend his work beyond physical adventure by telling stories about the places he visits and the environmental issues that deserve wider attention.