About Active World

Active world was formed in February  2008 by a group of independently owned and managed travel companies, each company specialising in a particular outdoor activity.

We realised that by working together we could reach even more people interested in active holidays and by sharing information we could all improve our customer experience.

Together the seven companies that make up Active World employ over 60 staff, all of whom are experts in their own field.

Whether you want to go fishing for Sea Trout in Argentina or on a walking safari in Zambia we have an expert who will give you upto date, impartial advice enabling you to make an informed decision about your next holiday.

Helen Brown, Dive Worldwide

 Helen learnt to dive participating in a marine conservation project in Fiji during university. After completing a degree in Tourism, Helen decided to go backpacking and rediscovered her passion for diving. During her three years away, she travelled the globe through South America, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Asia and the Caribbean. She was lucky enough to dive the Great Barrier Reef, the Philippines, Palau, and the Caribbean and by gaining her instructors license, she could teach diving in many of these locations too. She finally decided to come back to the UK and combine the two things in life she loves, diving and travelling and get paid for it! She has been working for Dive Worldwide for two years and during this time she has visited and dived many more destinations such as Fiji, Mozambique and the Red Sea.

Ask Helen a question about diving holidays

?, Go Fishing

Steve Berry, Mountain Kingdoms

Born in Shillong, just south of the Bhutanese border, Steve has returned to the Himalaya many times as leader of numerous treks and expeditions. These include the first British ascent of Nun Kun in Kashmir and attempts on Cho Oyu in Nepal and Gangkar Punsum in Bhutan. His book, The Thunder Dragon Kingdom is an account of Britain’s first climbing expedition to Bhutan.

Ask Steve a question about trekking holidays

 Steve's Favourite Trek

Mike Wynne, Walks Worldwide

Mike has led treks to all four corners of the world since 1983 with a special affiliation for Morocco, having set up many of the original treks there. He launched Walks Worldwide (as a division of Wildlife Worldwide) in 1998, operating from his attic room in Derby! Now he manages all aspects of the company from our spacious offices in the heart of Ingleton.

Mike has keenly developed our Family and Schools Expedition business, and as a traveller, father and an ex-teacher is well qualified to do it! Despite family and office commitments he still dons his boots every so often with a group in tow to 'keep his hand in', preferring the more arduous backpacking trek to the full service trek.

Ask Mike a question about walking holidays

Chris Hodge, Top Yacht

 Chris has been in the sailing business for many years, having worked as a boatbuilder, skippered his own charter yacht in the Mediterranean, and managed the Top Yacht charter base in Turkey. Chris took over Top Yacht with his wife, Louise Varley, in 1999, and has maintained the company's reputation for excellence whilst expanding the fleet of yachts available for charter. He puts up with working in the office, but still prefers playing with boats, and enjoys the practical side of commissioning new yachts for owners as well as work trips to the charter bases in Turkey. His favourite holiday is cruising around the Turkish coastline with family and friends.

Ask Chris a question about sailing holidays

Andrew Straw, Skedaddle

Andrew was chief guide at Skedaddle for many years and now splits his time between running their busy sales office and sneaking off when he can to research new destinations and to make sure old favourites are running smoothly.

As one of the original partners in Skedaddle, formed following a year long cycling expedition in South America in 1995, he has a broad knowledge of most trips whether its mountain biking, cycling or a road riding holiday you're looking for.

Ask Andrew a question about cycling holidays
 

Olwen Law, In The Saddle

Olwen’s passions are horse riding and travel and she set up In The Saddle in 1995 after a career in accountancy. Since then Olwen has ridden in six continents in more countries than she cares to remember. In the UK she competes in Endurance at distances up to 80 kms on her Arabian horse.

She reckons that her toughest ride was across the Namib desert from Windhoek to the coast. The thrill of cantering with wildlife in Africa is fantastic experience but she maintains that the most fun to be had on horseback is at a tolt on an Icelandic horse across the Iceland wilderness.

There is a special magic to travelling on horseback. You get to ride in some truly spectacular landscapes without another soul in sight. And whether it’s arriving at a remote ger camp in Mongolia or a mountain village in Spain there is an immediate connection with the locals as they welcome you to their homeland.

Ask Olwen a question about riding holidays