Interview: Ade Apeditan

worked out that I was just this roughand-tumble little boy that was playing sports, climbing trees and doing all sorts of things that kids do. And so they set everything up so it was ready for me.

Some of the trails were set so they were a little bit shorter and easier for me to go on. And I’d also been learning to swim before we went out there, practising how to do an ‘Eskimo roll’ in a swimming pool, which is like rolling the canoe and then bailing and getting yourself out. I thought, yeah, I’m an adventurer – now I can handle anything.

I think, as with anything, a lot of it is a learning process and you play it by ear. You don’t fully know whether you’re going to be able to do it or whether there’s going to be access issues, but you go along and you improvise. Some things work, some things don’t. Then, with the things that don’t, you sort of think out of the box to make them work. And that’s the motto and the mindset that I’ve always had: find a way to make it work for me.

You’ve been around the world for your TV work, particularly for

last year’s Climate Change series

where you visited countries being affected by global warming. Do you ever run into problems when filming in tricky locations?

For that series we went to Bangladesh, where these newly formed islands are popping up in the Bay of Bengal. They are made up of thick mud, and as soon as one would crop up, a team of conservationists would go out there and plant mangrove trees, because they’re really super resilient. And so they asked me if I’d like to come along on one of these trips, to see them being planted.

We got on a speedboat, and as we arrived at the island, these guys all jumped off their boat, took one step and literally dropped about four feet into the mud – it rose up to their chests. I looked at my cameraman and at my director and thought: how the bloody hell am I going to get across that island? We decided to take a run up in the boat, going as fast as we could, and slide about 50 feet through the mud, as close to where the guys were planting the mangroves as possible.

Then, obviously, I couldn’t get out in my wheelchair, so we found a massive

“Some things work, some don’t. With the things that don’t, you think out of the box to make them work… That’s the mindset I’ve always had”

mud as I interviewed them and planted some mang rove trees. Then they dragged me back onto the speedboat. You know: where there’s a will, there’s a way and you just improvise.

piece of tarpaulin, laid it out on top of the mud and I lay down on it. I spread my weight out so that it wouldn’t sink. We then had someone grab each corner of the tarpaulin and drag me to where the bemused guys were planting the mangroves. Even then, the piece of tarpaulin was slowly sinking into the

You’ve seen quite a few examples of climate change. Do you think it will alter the way we travel?

Yeah, we have to in all reality. I’ve been travelling non-stop for almost 20 years for various TV programmes, starting with a children’s show called Tiger Tiger, where I travelled the world telling the stories of endangered animals. And over the years, I’ve seen clear ⊲

signs of climate change: countries getting hotter, droughts lasting longer, animals and humans coming into conflict because of these droughts and the lack of food.

And so it’s really important that we, first of all, understand this and acknowledge our part in it, and then we have to find a way to travel more sustainably because I don’t think there’s any way of stopping people travelling. We just have to find a way of doing it better.

Maybe taking fewer flights, finding alternative ways to travel, but also putting pressure on the travel industry, especially the aviation industry, to come up with new technology.

Let’s travel in a sustainable way. Let’s go out there and let’s acknowledge the indigenous people, the locals, and let’s make sure that they benefit from the travel industr y. And then, when you travel, travel for a reason. Let’s make sure that’s its a special trip.

I’m no longer looking at travelling thousands of miles every month

“It’s really important that we understand climate change and acknowledge our part in it”

because, right now, it would be irresponsible to do that until the industry changes – and the industry has to change because we need to travel as human beings.

That’s what has made us into who we are. You know, we travelled out of Africa and spread to all parts of the globe, and it’s made us this incredible race of people. But what we now need to understand is that we can’t just take the planet for granted anymore.

We’ve got to get to carbon neutral or carbon negative as a race. And if we don’t reach that stage, then we go above 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming. If we get to that point, none of us are going to be travelling all that much in the future because the weather will

Looking to the future

(below) For 2022’s BBC series Our Changing Planet, Ade visited Nairobi’s Sheldrick Elephant Nursery in Kenya as part of a look at how rising temperatures affect rainfall in a country where wildlife and local people are dependent on that water become so unpredictable that it would be too dangerous.

So, it’s in our interest to get this right. And if you are a traveller, it’s in your interest to be responsible and to vote the right way and to put pressure on companies and make sure we live more in tune with our planet.

You touched on the travel industry. What are they doing for people with disabilities?

I don’t think the travel industry has properly embraced catering to people with disabilities. I still think it’s an untapped, uncharted section of the industr y. And the starting point for doing this is to talk to people with disabilities. Stop making these decisions without including us, and stop looking at us as one homogenous group.

We’re all different, so they need to go out there and speak to a cross section of the disabled population and ask us what we want, so they can do this better, because we’ve got money

to spend and they’d be foolish to keep neglecting us. I’m starting to see more disabled people setting up their own travel businesses, mainly because they are fed up of the treatment that they’re getting. But what it really needs is the big travel companies – Tui, Kuoni, British Airways, all of them – to start properly having a decent conversation and coming up with a game plan that makes travel inclusive for everybody.

What kind of things do you have to think about before travelling?

It’s sor t of a trial-and-error process because there hasn’t been a blueprint for me. There hasn’t been someone else who I could look at and say: “Oh, yeah, I can learn from you.” I’ve had to work it all out by myself.

My main thing is making sure I’ve got a wheelchair that I know is going to function. And it’s got to last me through some remote countries, where they might not have the tyres that I need; where there might be a par t of the wheelchair that falls off. I always make sure that I’ve got the right spares.

Understanding what sort of terrain I’m going to encounter is important: do I need to take my chunky tyres, or do I keep my skinny tyres? I’ve got various adaptations that I stick onto the chair to allow it to go through jungles and across rocks.

The current chair that I use is an RGK FX that folds flat when you take the wheels off , which means it can be put in the overhead compartment

“If you have a disability you have to really speak up to get people to do what is necessary”

on the plane. The great thing is that when you arrive at your destination, your chair is there. There is nothing more fr ightening than when your chair is supposedly going in the hold and you arrive somewhere thousands of miles away from home and then it isn’t there. It’s happened to me twice.

Water worlds

(top to bottom) In Bangladesh, for the BBC series Climate Change, Ade visited a house that was crumbling into a river owing to changes in the weather; Ade goes snorkelling in the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park in Mozambique in search of dugong And I tell you that the blood runs cold in your body when you hear that your chair is back in the UK.

I also need to know if the accommodation is going be accessible. And if it isn’t, I want to know that they can make adjustments. I once went on holiday to Mauritius and stayed in a really nice bouji place, but it had five steps that went from the room down to the sand. The staff told me that they’d sort it out, then I heard this hammering and bashing. They’d built this beautiful ramp for me all the way down to the beach.

That was really nice, and it just shows what people in the accommodations can do if you push them. But I’ve found that if you have a disability, you have to really speak up for yourself to get people to understand and to do what’s necessary.

Where haven’t you been yet?

If I could pluck up the courage to see the Earth from space, it would be amazing. I think Argentina would also be incredible, and I‘d love to do more of the South Pacific, such as Samoa and Papua New Guinea.

The other thing is: before the end of my lifetime, I want to visit every single country in Africa. I think I’ve done 18 now, but there are 54 countries in total. It’s a massive continent, so I’ve still got a few more to get around.

The Red Sea Development Company

THERE’S EVERY REASON TO VISIT THE RED SEA IN 2023

Here’s what you can expect as one of the first visitors to experience this undiscovered part of Saudi Arabia

Steeped in a curious history of ancient kingdoms and nomadic tribes, northwest Saudi Arabia is an extraordinary land of myriad topographies and experiences. Until now, few modern travellers have discovered this destination. But thanks to some ambitious plans by Red Sea Global – which includes the opening of 50 sustainably driven hotels by 2030 across a 28,000 square kilometre expanse of rugged landscape and over 90 untouched islands, and a brandnew international airport – the region is opening up. Even more exciting is that the first hotels will open next year, so why not be one of the first to explore this highly anticipated destination?

Here’s what to expect.

ISLAND AND MARINE LIFE

There are some 280 fish species in THE RED SEA, with the Al Wajh Lagoon playing host to the world’s fourth-largest barrier reef system and celebrated for its 300-plus coral species. Diving experiences here are, naturally, some of the best in the world. Seek out parrotfish, dugongs, manta rays and hawksbill sea turtles on expert-led diving excursions, or embark on a heritage diving trip, exploring the treasures of an 18th-century shipwreck. If you’re lucky, you may spot guitarfish, zebra sharks and whale sharks in these waters.

Of the 22 islands being developed, here, Shura – characterised by its dolphin-like shape and 3.3km-long bridge – will be known as the ‘hub island’. Others, such as the Ummahat Islands and Sheybarah, will provide secluded, sensitively designed retreats from which to immerse yourself in the spirit of Saudi Arabia through culturally led activities, from ancient storytelling to astronomy workshops.

Dive right in

(clockwise from left) Six Senses Southern Dunes is just one of the many luxurious accommodation options available at THE RED SEA; there are more than 300 coral species in the Al Wajh Lagoon; spot marine life, including dolphins

There will also be an opportunity to take eco-excursions on ‘crystal’ (see-through) kayaks, exploring a vast range of marine life and birdlife – from ospreys and red-billed tropicbirds to brown boobies and sooty falcons – with local trained guides and conservationists. They’ll also provide expert insight into the coral farming projects that are taking place and the restoration of the area’s mangroves.

ADVENTURES AND IN-LAND

It will be a wrench to drag your attention away from the azure Red Sea waters, but the captivating topography of desert dunes and volcanic landscapes will, undoubtedly, lure you inland. A huge chunk of the 2.3 million square kilometre desert – the largest contiguous sand desert on the planet – smothers the land here, setting the scene for all sorts of adventures and letting travellers get under the skin of Saudi Arabia’s past.

Go with the urge to explore. A stay at the Desert Rock resort will put you right in the heart of this adventurous landscape. Feel the soft desert beneath your soles with a conservation trek up the various trails of the vast Hejaz Mountain range or head out in an electric buggy to explore under your own steam. End your days by venturing out after dark to enjoy a fireside meal and to hear stories from the locals before gazing up at a night sky studded with glittering stars.

Elsewhere, the now-dormant Harrat Lunayyir volcanic field lies inland of Umluj. It’s a fascinating place to ponder as you explore its lunar-like landscape of cinder cones, peaks and crevices, making for a photographer’s dream.

Star struck

(this page; clockwise from top left) Bed down at night under big skies filled with stars in the desert; learn how efforts are being made to protect local species, including green turtles, on a visit to one of the local conservation centres; AlUla and its UNESCO-listed site lies in close proximity to THE RED SEA destination

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

As the crossroads of ancient incense routes, Saudi’s north-west region is steeped in history and there are myriad ways to discover its landmarks and local folklore while walking in the footsteps of ancient Arab merchants.

The town of Al Wajh, for example, is a former shipping port with a long past. Exploring its streets reveals a trove of intriguing finds, ranging from its old city walls to the 200-year-old Al-Badawi mosque. Fish with the locals or delve into the time-frozen Hejazi fishing village and the eerily abandoned Old Quarter, known as Al Balad. If they could talk, its deserted streets and crumbling houses (adorned by beautiful Rawashin-style windows), would tell stories of its silk-trading past.

To delve even deeper, take a trip to AlUla, known for its caravan trading history and archaeological ruins that date back to ancient Arabian kingdoms. Experience stargazing besides its otherworldly rock formations at a Bedouin-style dinner, then take the 30km journey north to the famed Mada’in Saleh, a UNESCO World Heritage Site formerly known as Hegra. It’s the largest Nabataean site south of Petra, comprising four necropolises of 110 well-preserved tombs, facades and inscriptions. Across the AlUla Valley, close to the ancient city of Dadan, you can also explore the millennia-old petroglyphs of Jabal Ikmah, left by Dadanite and Lihyanite civilisations.

SUSTAINABILITY

With conservation and preservation at the very heart of THE RED SEA, planners have gone to great lengths to ensure this destination is not only sustainable and carbon sensitive, but also regenerative in nature, using smart technology to help them achieve their goals.

Of the 90 islands here, only 22 will be developed, with nine having been designated as special conservation zones, helping protect and nurture flora and fauna. And local conservation centres will provide travellers with various ways to educate themselves on the biodiversity and local heritage of the region, through hands-on workshops, activities and excursions. Developers have even taken the ambitious pledge to cap yearly visitor numbers to a million by 2030 and help increase the growth of flora (including mangroves,

seagrasses, native trees and plants) by 30% by 2040.

Accommodation here sees sustainability at the core of the many light-touch designs, with infrastructure that supports renewable energy, water conservation and re-use. Green initiatives, including banning single-use plastics and the adoption of a circular waste management system, means zero waste will go to the landfill. The destination is putting community and the local economy first, too, with the development of a ‘Coastal Village’ that already houses some Red Sea Global employees, with plans for it to become a community for the 14,000 people (along with their families) who will run the destination once it opens.

WHERE TO STAY

Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve

Situated on the Ummahat Islands, a 20-minute boat ride offshore, this secluded outpost of the Ritz-Carlton brand comprises 82 luxurious overwater and beach villas designed to reflect the local heritage and blend seamlessly into the environment. The highlight is the on-site conservation centre, which is dedicated to protecting the native plant and animal species.

St. Regis Red Sea Resort

Six Senses Southern Dunes, THE RED SEA

An eye-opening journey past undulating dunes and narrow wadis lead to this inland boutique hotel, known for its desert flower inspired design, traditional tribal interiors and worldclass spa. A four-pod Artisan Village tells the story of the region’s Nabataean cultural heritage and activities here celebrate the legacy of the historic incense trade route. St. Regis Red Sea Resort by Marriott is situated on a private island. During a stay here, you’ll make one of the 90 chic villas (some of them overwater bungalows) your home. Also on site are two signature restaurants, a swimming pool and many other luxury amenities such as a fitness centre and spa.

These are just the first hotels to open, with a total of 16 luxury and sustainable accommodation options now confirmed. THE RED SEA Edition by Marriott hotels and Ian Schrager, for example, will be offering one-, two- and three-bedroom suites across 240 guest rooms on Shura Island. Central Shura Island will play home to Miraval THE RED SEA, a Hyatt-owned wellness resort. Like its US-based sister hotels, it will be imbued in a nourishing, lifeenriching philosophy, offering cooking classes and hands-on workshops. The 40,000 square foot spa pays homage to local culture through its treatments and wellness programmes.

Over on Shura Island’s west coast, meanwhile, Rosewood Red Sea will comprise of 187 guest rooms and suites, three signature restaurants and two lounges and will offer a luxurious lifestyle feel. There’s certainly plenty to look forward to.

Luxury sleeps

(this page; clockwise from top left) St. Regis Red Sea Resort is one of the first accommodation options available to guests during phase one of the opening; a Six Senses Southern Dunes, THE RED SEA gives a great insight into the cultural heritage here; Nujuma, A Ritz Carlton Reserve is home to an on-site conservation centre

MAKE IT HAPPEN

How to get there and around

Set between the Saudi towns of Al Wajh and Umluj, THE RED SEA is easily accessible, thanks to the desert-landscape-inspired Red Sea International Airport (RSI). Dubbed the brand-new gateway to the region, the RSI is set to become an eco-minded transport hub of electric vehicles, seamless guest experiences and sustainable smart technology. Flights to THE RED SEA from Jeddah and Riyadh take an hour and a half, while driving from AlUla takes around three hours. International flights are approximately seven hours from Western Europe. Seaplanes, boats and cars powered by clean energy will transport you to your final Red Sea destination.

When to visit

With an average temperature of 32ºC, THE RED SEA is a year-round destination. It is hottest (usually above 30 degrees) between mid-April and November. The mountain and desert areas generally experience a cooler climate, with the mercury dipping to around 12 degrees and 18 degrees, respectively, in the cooler months. Temperatures across the islands, meanwhile, rarely dip below a balmy 24 to 27 degrees in the cooler season, meaning you can choose the time of year to suit your personal taste, based on the experiences and adventures you’d like to discover.