Family Adventure Holidays: An Interview with Ben Fogle

by Rhonda Carrier

As the Ambassador of The Adventure Company, intrepid TV presenter Ben Fogle recently appeared in London to discuss the new trip to Peru he has designed and why encouraging children to explore the world while young is so beneficial, and to talk through some of his own adventure highlights and promote his new book ‘The Accidental Adventurer’.

Takethefamily caught up with him for his thoughts on family travel.

Hello Ben. What are your earliest memories of travel or holidays with your family? What were your favourite places? And where did you dream of going?

As my father was a vet, I’ve always been passionate about nature and animals. I spent lots of time in Canada, as my father and his family are Canadian, and lots of time was in the wooden cottage my grandfather built on the lake. I can still remember a week-long holiday in Algonquin Park with Dad.

You describe family adventures as "the perfect way to bond together over shared experiences". Your own children are still a little young for adventure holidays, but what kind of places are you looking forward to taking them?

I can’t wait to share adventures with my family. I think you can have an adventure anywhere, home or abroad and I can’t wait to show them our wonderful country here in the UK, as well as exploring other cultures.

You are an ambassador for the World Wide Fund for Nature. Do you think adventure travel can make the next generation more environmentally aware? If so, how?

I think adventure travel can make you environmentally aware. I’ve seen first-hand the impact we are having on the world and our fragile environment. It teaches you to care for and respect our planet. 

And as Ambassador for Adventure for The Adventure Company, what are your top tips for the best adventure holidays with children?

The world is a rapidly changing place, and it’s always changing, but I don’t see how you can go wrong with an African safari. It’s your chance to see some amazing wildlife.

There’s a huge and eclectic variety of destinations and ways to see wildlife, from walking safaris in Botswana to a boat down the Amazon. For me, Tanzania is the ultimate place to go for spotting wildlife. It’s got some of Africa’s most iconic places, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, where I have seen more wildlife than anywhere else on the African continent.

The Adventure Company also offer Hands-On adventures where you get to enjoy the destination and put a little back by helping out local communities or wildlife conservation. On all these trips the risk is taken out of the equation so you and your family can enjoy quality time together. 

Can you put your finger on the most one important thing that your years of travel have taught you, and that you'd like to hand on to your own kids?

To respect our planet. You only have one life – live it!

Many thanks Ben! 


Among the African safaris mentioned by Ben are a new 12-day Elephants & Spice Hands On Adventure to Tanzania. Aimed at kids 8 and up, it features top wildlife, exotic locations and the chance to get hands-on with animals – each family is responsible for their own elephant during a stay at the Saadani National Park, where children also learn about the green turtle project and take Swahili lessons. There is also an opportunity to visit a local school. The remainder of the tour includes the Mikumi National Park, where you may spot elephant, buffalo and large herds of antelope, plus time to relax on the exotic spice island of Zanzibar with its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coral reefs.

The trip costs from £2699 adult/£2399 child, including flights, 9 nights’ accommodation (3 nights hotel and 6 nights tented/safari lodge), transport (aircraft, 4WD, boat and minibus), most meals (9 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 6 dinners) and an experienced local group leader.

Families can currently save up to 15% off a family holiday with The Adventure Company with a series of combinable discounts including 5% off 10 selected new family trips booked by 1 December 2011, 5% off trips booked up to 6 months ahead, and 5% off for returning customers.

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