Discover Adventure | Blog

Our long time challengers and committed fundraisers are invited to join the DA Club. It is hugely inspiring and impressive to complete one challenge, let alone more than five and we are proud and privileged to know some very inspiring people, so we have asked Martyn, one of our members to tell us exactly what it's like and how he chose what adventures to take on.  

Are you feeling the urge to strike out on your own but have a few concerns? Don't worry, we've got it covered. 

People sometimes have a slightly worried tone when they tell us that they’re signing up to a challenge on their own. As though we may immediately slap a large single supplement on them, or assume it means they have no friends. We always reassure them that the vast majority of people on our trips register alone and return richer in friendship.

Our challenges – whether you are fundraising or not – are different than holidays. Most people wouldn’t dream of going on a relaxing/sightseeing holiday without their partner or a friend. The nature of our trips, pushing yourself physically and mentally each day in the structure of a tight-knit group with professional leaders, is completely different. And if you’re fundraising for months beforehand, it’s a lot harder to do that as a group or couple if you all know the same people.

We all know there is nothing better than advice than from someone who has been there and done it. You may know DA team member Kim, through parts one and two of her blogs on her Sahara challenge experience. 

But here is the crux of it - we've heard about the challenge itself and vitally, her top tips but what are the best and worst moments? And ultimately, who is this challenge for?

In our short interview we asked:

• What were the best bits and why
• The gritty truth - what were the worst bits and why
• You must have had worries, how did you overcome them?
• Who would you recommend this challenge too and why?

Basically the kind of honest, juicy debrief you'd have with your friend over a coffee...

Part 2:

 If you have read Part 1 you'll know that I am speaking from experience in putting this Top Tips blog together!

Yes, I did take on the Sahara Desert Trek with very short notice and minimal preparation. But that doesn't change, and in fact, further amplifies the reasons behind my tips below.

The Sahara Challenge is an incredible one, but to ensure you have the best experience possible, make sure the below are packed in your physical (and metaphorical!) kit bag: