A member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, Ian is an award-nominated travel writer, adventurer, and events speaker. He has spoken to large and enthusiastic audiences including school year groups, university societies, organizations such as the Women’s Institute, and travel clubs across the UK about the trials and tribulations of his exciting life of adventure.

He has spoken twice at the Royal Geographical Society’s London headquarters, and been commissioned to write for a variety of books and magazines, including two Bradt travel anthologies (Bus-Pass Britain Rides Again and Roam Alone) as well as for the likes of The i, Daily Mail, Voyagers Voice, and Africa Geographic. He’s also about to undertake the latest edition of a countrywide guidebook for the world’s leading independent travel publisher after being approached out of the blue.

Ian is a 2013 National Geographic Traveller travel writing competition runner-up, and a finalist for Travel Blog Post of the Year in the British Guild of Travel Writers Members’ Excellence Awards 2023, while his blog guides have been studied at A level English.

Ian gave up a life as a medical researcher to explore the forgotten corners and stories of the world. Starting big, his first major adventure was his Encircle Africa expedition. The first solo and unassisted circumnavigation of Africa by public transport, it was a 13 month, 25,000 mile (40,000 km) overland circumnavigation through 31 nations which saw him live life without timetables. He rode beaten-up bush taxis, flatbed trucks, leaking dugout canoes and a van delivering freshly-made meat pies to cover a distance equivalent to circling the earth at the equator.

Entirely reliant on Africa’s local populations, he fought off thieves in Senegal, was mistaken for an undercover UN agent in Liberia, refused entry into the Congo, and while in Sudan becomes perhaps the only person teargassed while trying to visit a museum.

Since then Ian has travelled the length of the Sri Lanka’s longest river, walked the coast of the Isle of Man and the length of Hadrian’s Wall, and travelled through Scandinavia using only a 1960s guidebook. Retracing the steps of his great uncle during World War II to retake his photographs, trekking from the southernmost to the northernmost points of Bangladesh, and traversing Pakistan to report on climate change in the country are the latest adventures he’s able to share with audiences.

For more information, visit www.encircleafrica.org, contact Ian directly on ian@encircleafrica.org or explore the many positive testimonials Ian has garnered below:

“An absolute hit with our Sutton U3A group…Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful daring travels: I could visualise the sight and smell!” Yvonne Neblett, Speaker Bookings Secretary, Sutton U3A

“An excellent talk…We were enthralled by the picture you painted in words and photos, and I am sure you have changed the perspectives many of us had of Africa” Susan Thomas, Programme Secretary, Emmanuel Women’s Fellowship

“After his visit this week we wouldn’t be at all surprised if we next see him on our small screens following in the footsteps of Michael Palin, Simon Reeves or Levison Wood.” Liz Brown, chair and secretary, Geographical Association York and District branch

“[An] excellent talk, which was completely enthralling and provided a fascinating insight into the remoter areas of Africa of which most of us are unfamiliar. When I saw the resume of the talk in our programme a while ago, I could not even begin to imagine the logistics involved in embarking on such an expedition especially on one’s own, and thought that anyone doing so must be either reckless, or an extremely enthusiastic, determined, and intrepid explorer, in the true sense of the word. Having listened to Ian tonight I am sure you will agree with me that the latter is the case.” Vote of thanks, Geographical Association Huddersfield & Halifax with RGS Yorkshire & the North East

“Thank you for your fascinating talk tonight. It was so interesting to follow your journey as you visited the places your great-uncle had photographed during his military service in WW2. This was family history that would have been real for many of our members having heard stories from their relatives.” Liz Moss, Secretary, East Surrey Family History Society

“Thank you for giving us the very interesting talk tonight. I can honestly say that it was enjoyed by us all as I’m sure you know from the number of questions asked.” Jackie Hillman, Ravenswood WI

“We hosted Ian Packham for a sixth form lecture this week and he was absolutely brilliant! His talk was utterly enthralling and encouraged the youngsters to challenge their pre-conceptions of Africa as a rather inhospitable and lawless continent. A number of the pupils spoke to me afterwards saying how much they had enjoyed Ian’s talk and looked forward to hearing about his next adventure.” David Elstone, headmaster Hymers College

“Utterly compelling” Jenifer Phillips, programme secretary, Geographical Association Blackpool branch

“Inspirational” Globetrotters Club, London

“Thank you very much for coming to speak at the Exploration Club last term – we were all inspired.” Francis Hamblin, Oxford University Exploration Club committee

“A very interesting presentation enjoyed by a full house… would recommend.” Michael Hand, Chair RGS East Anglia regional committee

“Ian delivered an excellent and engaging lecture that was thought-provoking and looked to dispel some of the ignorances held about Africa. We look forward to welcoming him back to Repton in the future.” Riccardo De Rosa, head of Geography, Repton school