Travel expert
My grandparents lived in Nairobi when I was young and we have always travelled a lot as a family so I don’t particularly remember a specific moment that sparked my love of travel. I set off backpacking in South America with a friend as soon as I left school and spent my university summers working and travelling. Having studied in Sydney for a semester I went on to do a Masters in Cultural Studies at SOAS which only continued to fuel my interest in foreign cultures.
Wild Frontiers was the perfect place for me to indulge my fascination with off-beat and responsible tourism, both ethically and environmentally.
I joined Wild Frontiers in 2016 in an admin role with my sights set on Southeast Asia, as that was the region that I had experienced most and had studied during my masters at SOAS prior to working in the industry. My focus very quickly switched to some of our more off-beat destinations as the allure of the less travelled path and all the amazing destinations we offer really sparked my imagination.
My first trip with Wild Frontiers was our Mongolia: Land Of The Great Khan group tour which did not disappoint! My first Central Asian (and also desert) experience and I was hooked – I loved experiencing the epic scale of the landscapes and fascinating nomadic lifestyle.
But it was on our famous Pakistan: Hindu Kush Adventure that I found the country that would become the focus of my energies for the following years. I finally got to understand why this is our flagship destination that Jonny has been singing the praises of for so many years. The land of the beautiful Hindu Kush mountains and fascinating Kalash Pagan tribe doesn’t come without its complications, but I love specialising in such a hidden gem of a destination.
I have since travelled to Kashmir, Uzbekistan, Iran, Namibia, Ethiopia and Tanzania with Wild Frontiers as well as a whole host of our other destinations giving me a good spread of knowledge cross-region and explaining why my specialist regions are somewhat disparate. With a few years in the travel industry under my belt now, you might be chatting to me about a luxury safari in Namibia one minute, then travelling through the Hindu Kush in an open topped jeep the next…
MOST POPULAR QUESTIONS FOR CLEMENTINE
What is the most memorable travel experience you've arranged for a Wild Frontiers traveller?
I planned a honeymoon in Mongolia for an active and adventurous couple. This included a multi-day trek with wild camping to really get them off-grid into the iconic steppe, stargazing in the Orkhon Valley (UNESCO listed region for its pitch-black skies) staying at a candlelit eco-ger camp and kayaking on the Tuul river to the Genghis Khan Statue!
Why travel to Pakistan with you?
Wild Frontiers’ flagship destination – Pakistan is by no means an easy country to travel in, however with over a decade’s personal experience working with this complex destination, I am well placed to advise on the finer details of travel in this fascinating and unique country. From the immersive cultural experience of staying with the Kalash pagan tribe in the Hindu Kush mountains, to admiring the jaw dropping peaks of Hunza, to enjoying authentic Punjabi dishes on the iconic Food Street in Lahore overlooking the Badshahi Mosque, Pakistan has so much to offer and I love to create itineraries to match your style of travel, be it fast paced and active or a more gentle immersive approach, spending longer in each location.
What can travellers expect when working with you on their Wild Frontiers adventure?
For the destinations I specialise in, accommodation is a built-in part of the experience, and I pride myself on providing authentic and diverse options. In Central Asia, location has a huge impact on what is available, and I aim to provide our clients with memorable and insightful experiences to match each stage of their trip. In Uzbekistan you will likely be in a stylish locally run boutique hotel, for example in the heart of the Old Town of Bukhara, whilst in the wilds of Kyrgyzstan a yurt stay with breathtaking mountain and lake views is a must-do rustic experience.
Do you look after the full trip package?
Absolutely - although this full package can vary country to country and depending on traveller preference. In Sub-Saharan Africa, I offer travel in a variety of different modes of transport depending on the country, style and requirement of the itinerary.
In Namibia on a self-drive trip, we handle the car hire including a briefing with both our partners in country and the car hire company, so you feel well prepared as you embark on your adventure. If self-drive is not your style, I can plan a fly-in safari, skipping the long driving days and linking camp-to-camp by light aircraft for a truly luxurious experience and a beautiful bird’s-eye view of the Namib desert enroute! In Tanzania, your game drives through the famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater will be conducted in a specialised custom built 4x4 designed for rough bush terrain and optimal wildlife viewing.
Finally in Madagascar, a 4x4 is required for the challenging roads (or lack thereof!) linking place to place, but your wildlife viewing will take place almost exclusively on foot with local specialised guides pointing out the different species of lemur, chameleons and birds, not to mention the unique landscapes and large portion of endemic flora as you trek through the forest.
Clem's Trip Suggestions
We loved our trip with Wild Frontiers! Clementine put together the best itinerary for Tanzania and Rwanda and the trip exceeded our expectations! I would recommend it to anyone looking to make a trip of a lifetime!