The allure of adventure sometimes pulls us towards places that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) advises against travelling to. Whether it’s for family, work, or sheer wanderlust, you may still decide to visit. So, how do you navigate such a trip responsibly?

Why Spending Christmas Somewhere That Doesn’t Celebrate Christmas is the Ultimate Festive Escape

Having worked with extreme adventurists worldwide, Forte Travel Management has the best team available and ready to assist you in approaching brands, corporations and sponsors to secure funding towards completing your dream.

1. Planning Your Epic Journey

Embarking on a solo adventure to Arab countries as a solo woman isn’t just a trip; it’s an odyssey of discovery, diplomacy, and—let’s face it—dodging well-meaning strangers trying to marry you off to their third cousin. If you’re ready to explore bustling souks, golden deserts, and lavish mosques with a side of humour, grab a (metaphorical) cup of mint tea and settle in for some real talk.

Travelling into unknown territory is as thrilling as it is challenging, especially when the destination requires navigating uncharted logistical, cultural, and operational terrain. Whether you’re embarking on humanitarian aid in Chad, conducting research in Papua New Guinea, or leading a business delegation in remote Kyrgyzstan, preparation is critical.

Negotiating a hostage release is never part of the "expected" travel plan, but when you are Forte Travel Management, navigating the unexpected is just another day in the office. In one particularly tense situation, our team had to intervene when a driver in West Africa was forcibly removed from his car by local police, subjected to threats, and almost lashed with his own belt.

Travelling off the beaten path offers unique opportunities for cultural immersion and adventure. However, in destinations with significant cultural and political differences, like Afghanistan, preparation is key to ensuring safety. Afghanistan’s complex history, ongoing security challenges, and deeply rooted traditions make it a rewarding but potentially hazardous destination for Western travellers.

There are logistical challenges, and then there are logistical nightmares. On a routine day in Kenya, a group of eight travellers from six different countries learned the hard way how fast everything can unravel. Phones, travel documents, and passports vanished just 24 hours before their scheduled departure, leaving them stranded and nearly untraceable.

In the wake of Sierra Leone’s devastating civil war, rebuilding was not just a priority—it was a lifeline. One year after the conflict officially ended, the scars of war were still raw. Villages lay disconnected, infrastructure was in tatters, and communities were grappling with the dual burdens of physical rebuilding and psychological recovery.

In November 2024, a Forte Travel Management client achieved what had previously been uncertain: successfully entering federal Iraq by road using a Kurdistan-issued eVisa. This breakthrough came via the Zakho border crossing from Turkey, traveling south past Mosul and onward to Baghdad. While the Mosul checkpoint personnel demonstrated up-to-date awareness of the policy allowing Kurdistan visas to be used for entry into federal Iraq, the Erbil route south checkpoint continues to enforce the older rules, barring travel with such documentation.

Checkpoints are a standard feature of travel across Iraq, especially between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq. Approaching them with preparation and respect can make a significant difference in your experience. Here are practical strategies and best practices to ensure smooth passage: