Ash Dykes Prepares for a Sangha River Kayak Expedition

Welsh adventurer Ash Dykes plans to kayak more than 400 miles along the Sangha River, from the Central African Republic into the Democratic Republic of Congo. I cover his preparations, the hazards discussed, and reactions to the expedition; the account reaches only its first campsite and does not report the journey’s outcome.

- Expedition plan and preparation: inflatable kayak, supplies, guide, photographer, and Starlink communications
- River conditions and risks: fast, murky water, hippos, crocodiles, rapids, and parasites
- Public response and expert perspective: online attention, skepticism, and commentary from a kayaker familiar with the Congo
- First campsite: the group’s initial stop on the planned journey

Those interested in remote river expeditions will get an overview of the plan and the risks raised in the discussion. Use the hazards described as context when evaluating expedition preparations; no complete safety plan or later progress is covered.