British-Wallis adventurer Ash Dix has started Project 6 by embarking on a 700-kilometer kayaking expedition along the Sanga River in Central Africa. He will face isolation, illness, dangerous wildlife, and logistical difficulties.
For most people, the thought of paddling over 700 kilometers through the dense and harsh forests of Central Africa, where potential threats include crocodiles, disease, and isolation, would be enough reason to decline such an expedition. However, it is precisely these challenges that make life worthwhile for Ash Dix.
The researcher has plunged into one of the world's most remote corners, beginning an arduous journey down the Sanga River as part of an ambitious year-long mission to conquer six extreme natural zones across the globe.
First Challenge
His first challenge proved extremely difficult: traversing more than 700 kilometers in an inflatable kayak from Nola in the Central African Republic (CAR) to Mossaki in the Republic of Congo, where the Sanga River flows into the mighty Congo River. This journey will test not only his physical endurance. Due to unpredictable river conditions, threats of disease, dangerous fauna, and long periods of solitude, Dix will battle the elements in a region where aid may be difficult to reach.
This expedition marks the start of Project 6—his large-scale plan to complete six extreme treks in six different environments over 12 months. If everything goes according to plan, the Sanga River journey will take approximately three to four weeks, and Dix is expected to reach Mossaki in late October or early November 2026, depending on route conditions.
However, even before he could dip his paddle in the water, adventures had already begun presenting obstacles.
Baggage Loss and Visa Issues
Reaching the starting point was an expedition in itself. Dix and his team initially traveled to Cameroon but discovered that necessary baggage was lost. Among the missing items were kayak inflation equipment, as well as tents, food, and water—supplies that would be critically important for survival in the wilderness for several weeks.
The baggage was eventually found, but the relief was short-lived. Then came visa complications that prevented the team from entering the Central African Republic as originally planned, forcing them to revise their route and encounter another series of logistical problems.
They eventually reached Nola, the official starting point of the expedition. The journey there was far from easy: bad weather, roadblocks, and fallen trees added to the difficulties. By the time the team arrived in Nola, they had already tasted the uncertainty that would define the upcoming journey.
Now, with the river and hundreds of kilometers of wilderness stretching before him, Dix has begun a challenge that sets the tone for Project 6. However, the real test lies ahead—long days on the water, the remoteness of the tropical forest, and the unpredictable conditions of one of Central Africa's great river systems.
In the Heart of the Congo Basin
The Congo Basin is much more than just one forest or one country. It is an extensive geographical region centered around the Congo River system and its tributaries. Its forests cover Cameroon, CAR, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. This region contains the second-largest tropical forest ecosystem on Earth after the Amazon, covering about 500 million acres.
It is also one of the planet's greatest biodiversity hotspots, supporting gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, buffalo, and hundreds of other mammal species, alongside thousands of birds, fish, and plant species. The forest also plays a vital role in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. Nevertheless, for Dix, this extraordinary environment is not just a backdrop; it is the landscape in which he must survive.
Crocodiles, Hippos, and Elephants
Dix will paddle hundreds of kilometers through a landscape where rescue may not be easy if needed. The Sanga region is home to Nile crocodiles, hippos, forest elephants, western lowland gorillas, and chimpanzees, among others. UNESCO describes the Sanga tri-national zone, where CAR, Cameroon, and DRC meet, as a largely untouched tropical forest ecosystem with exceptional biodiversity.
The water itself can be dangerous. A significant portion of the route will be on an inflatable kayak, and Dix noted that the vessel can be deflated and carried in particularly dangerous areas, such as where hippos congregate.
While dramatic encounters with wildlife might attract attention, Dix admitted that animals are not his biggest concern. The risks he is preparing for include malaria, infections, intense heat and humidity, contaminated water, and the vast distance to proper medical care.
Days Away from Help
The remoteness of the expedition may be its most daunting aspect. A medical emergency in a major city might mean an ambulance is minutes away. In the depths of the Congo Basin, the reality can be completely different.
Dix has prepared with medical supplies, satellite communication, food, and emergency evacuation plans, traveling with a small team that includes a local guide and a videographer. He also intends to spend time studying the culture of the Baaka people, whose generations of experience living in the tropical forest provide knowledge that could prove crucial during the journey.
The researcher, who holds five Guinness World Records, called the Congo one of the most hostile environments he has attempted to explore. Despite all the dangers, the expedition is also intended to shed light on a part of the world rarely seen beyond its borders.
Dix states that Project 6 is dedicated to exploring human endurance and documenting the people, wildlife, and environment he encounters. His first mission will take him from the forests around Nola, down the Sanga River, and towards Mossaki. By the time he reaches the Congo River, hundreds of kilometers of paddling, night treks in the jungle, wildlife encounters, and physical hardships will separate him from the completion of Mission 01. And there are five more extreme environments ahead.