Safety & Security
We get it, travelling alone for the first time might be scary but it shouldn’t have to be. Our trips are designed with your safety as our top priority, while still serving up a hefty dose of adventure:
We prioritize your safety at every step of your journey. Here are the precautions we take:
- Destination Selection: We carefully choose destinations with existing tourist infrastructure. This ensures the presence of established facilities, routes, and experienced local guides. While we appreciate the allure of off-the-beaten-path locations, we prioritize safety by selecting destinations that strike a balance between adventure and infrastructure. Our aim is to provide enriching experiences while minimizing risks.
- Risk Assessment: Prior to every trip, we conduct comprehensive risk assessments, identifying potential hazards and implementing effective mitigation strategies. Additionally, we have robust emergency plans in place to address unforeseen circumstances such as illness or other emergencies.
- Knowledgeable Guides: Our guides are intimately familiar with the destination country, having traversed it solo themselves. Their expertise ensures your safety and enhances your overall experience. Our founder has 12 years of independent travel experience across all continents except Antarctica. We also find experienced local guides in our destination countries who have the most up-to-date knowledge of the area.
- Insurance Coverage: Your safety is our priority, which is why we provide extensive insurance coverage as part of our pricing. While we strive to minimize risks, this coverage offers added peace of mind for any unforeseen situations.
- Adherence to Travel Advice: We closely follow travel advisories issued by the UK government and avoid areas marked by conflict, civil unrest, or other security concerns.
- All Activities are Optional: We include loads of exciting activities in the trip price but they are optional and where possible we will accommodate an alternative for you. For example: if you’re not confident in the water but you love food, we can get you to a cooking class while the rest of the group takes a surfing lesson.
We’re a UK-based company, officially registered with Companies House under company number 15677296. What does that mean for you? Well, it means we play by the rules! We’re fully compliant with UK laws, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015, ensuring your rights and protections are always upheld.
Upon successful confirmation of your place on our trip, we ask that you pay a non-refundable deposit of 20-30% of the trip cost (the exact amount depends on the trip – we’ll let you know once you submit your application). This allows us to book accommodation, travel and any activities that get booked up in advance (e.g. safari) ahead of time. Approximately 3 weeks before departure, you will pay the rest of the trip fee and at this point this will be non-refundable too.
At OTW, we’re all about curating the ultimate travel squad. That’s why we take our application process seriously. Unlike other trip providers, there are no randoms here — every potential traveller goes through a rigorous vetting process, complete with a video interview. This isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about finding like-minded adventurers who are in it for the right reasons. By handpicking our crew, we’re ensuring that every trip is filled with inspiring individuals who share our values and goals, creating connections that last long after the adventure ends.