Ash Dykes Recalls Locals in Congo Basin Warned Him That Facing This Animal Would ‘Be the End’ of Him (Exclusive)

Welsh adventurer Ash Dykes has recently completed an extraordinary expedition through the Congo Basin, navigating the treacherous waters of the Sangha River in inflatable kayaks. Accompanied by a small crew of two, Dykes’s journey was marked by encounters with the region’s varied wildlife and challenges posed by the natural environment.

The expedition covered nearly 500 miles, from Nola in the Central African Republic to Mossaka in the Democratic Republic of Congo. According to Dykes, locals in the region advised that for up to six months each year, they avoid the Sangha River due to increased activity of its resident hippos and crocodiles. These aquatic animals present a formidable danger, making the river particularly hazardous during this period.

While Dykes anticipated meeting wildlife on his adventure, discussions with local inhabitants revealed the gravity of some of these potential encounters. “I knew that I would come across these animals and they were dangerous,” he reflected following the expedition, which he concluded a week ahead of schedule. He had been prepared to encounter Nile crocodiles, forest elephants, and gorillas, yet expressed a desire to minimise close interactions with these creatures.

The warnings he received from the locals transformed his understanding of the hazards ahead. “If you faced a hippo, it would be the end of you,” Dykes noted, highlighting the serious nature of these threats. He learned much from the community about the risks involved and reflected on how treacherous the mission could have been if encounters with the notorious hippos and crocodiles had been frequent.

Unexpectedly, elevated water levels in the Sangha River altered the dynamics of the trip. Forced to paddle continuously—sometimes for 15 hours a day—the team completed their journey more swiftly than originally planned. Dykes speculated that the rising waters likely pushed hippos further inland, reducing the likelihood of direct encounters.

An incident during one night of the expedition exemplified the potential dangers lurking nearby. Dykes related how their local guide heard unusual noises outside their tent. “It was nighttime, and you just hear him say, ‘Hippos, hippos.’ And I was like, ‘What?’” he recalled, sharing that he instinctively reached for his camera to document the moment. The guide was alert to the presence of hippos that had wandered close to their camp along the riverbank.

In response to their guide’s warnings, Dykes and his crew remained inside the tent, understanding that staying still would help them avoid being perceived as a threat by the roaming wildlife. “That was pretty creepy,” he admitted when recalling the incident. As they progressed downstream, the team took precautions based on sightings reported by locals. “If they were there on the right in the morning, we would take the left, or vice versa,” he explained.

Surprisingly, despite the emphasis on the dangers of wildlife encounters, Dykes classified this journey as one of the least strenuous expeditions he has undertaken. “Every expedition that I’ve done has just been full on. I mean, this was by far the easiest project that I’ve done,” he said, reflecting on the overall experience.

Dykes now looks forward to his next venture as part of his Project 6 series. This initiative is designed to encompass a total of six extreme expeditions, each building upon the last. As he prepares for the upcoming phases of his adventure, his recent experiences in the Congo Basin will surely inform and shape his future pursuits.