Recap: Expedition Training Weekend

Last weekend, the Echoes of the Okavango team came together in Snowdonia, North Wales, for a weekend of preparation and training ahead of the expedition to Botswana.

The team gathered on Friday evening at a local bunkhouse. For many, it was the first time meeting face-to-face after months of Zoom calls and planning sessions. The evening offered the perfect chance to break the ice, share stories, and start building the camaraderie that will be vital during the expedition.

Saturday was all about paddling. The team headed to Llyn Padarn at the base of Snowdon, where they spent the day navigating the lake's strikingly clear waters. In true Welsh form, the skies swung from clear blue to torrential downpours every 20 minutes, but it wouldn’t hinder their spirits. The team practiced key drills, built confidence in the kayaks, and began to work together as a cohesive unit on the water.

From there, it was on to Betws-y-Coed to set up camp. Everyone pitched in to build basecamp, light a fire, and cook a well-earned dinner of tomato pasta with flame-grilled sausages. The evening was spent around the fire, sharing past adventures, discussing the expedition ahead, and paging through a wildlife guide to get a head start on identifying the Delta’s incredible species.

Sunday began with a practical emergency training session, led by Expedition Leader and Medic, Jay. The group covered key procedures like patient packaging and stretcher carrying, all to familiarise themselves with the equipment and protocols they’ll be following in case of emergency.

Photo by Kacper Kordian

Next came a brief photography session with Expedition Photographer Kacper, capturing portraits of each team member to mark the beginning of the journey. Kacper spent much of the weekend snapping away, documenting the weekend in its most beautiful fashion.

After a short break exploring the outdoors shops of Betws-y-Coed and picking up last-minute expedition gear, the team enjoyed a hearty Sunday roast at a local pub before heading to the Alpkit store in Betws-y-Coed for an important afternoon of risk and medical training.

Delivered by Remote Area Risk International (R2RI), the session covered everything from treating catastrophic bleeding and managing airways to preventing illness, wildlife encounters, and environmental risks. With real-world experience from expeditions across the globe, our instructor offered expert advice in a clear, practical way - and stayed to answer every question the team threw his way, from anti-malarials to blister care.

Photo by Kacper Kordian

As the weekend wrapped up, the team said their goodbyes and returned home, with the next face-to-face meeting set for the airport tarmac. The weekend not only strengthened skills, it brought the team together in a meaningful way, setting the tone for the expedition to come.

A huge thank you to everyone who made the weekend possible: - MPCC – For the use of their Kayaks and Equipment - Remote Area Risk International – For their Safety and Medical inputs - Alpkit Betws-y-Coed – For the use of their Community Area - Sheena Brown – For the loan of training equipment - Passion in Events – For the loan of logistics equipment - Gerard – For organising, collecting and carrying all of our kayaking equipment!

As we make the final preparations before embarking on Echoes of the Okavango – be sure to give us a follow on Instagram, X, Facebook and Linkedin – all @OkavangoEchoes. You can also subscribe to our email newsletter for updates on all things expedition!