BACKABUSH XPLORERS - Hiking & Outdoor Adventure Meetup Group

4.9•3500 ratings

About us

We are BACKABUSH XPLORERS, the original and best hiking and outdoor activity Meetup group!!!

Who are we and how did it all begin?

Backabush Xplorers is London's longest established hiking and outdoor adventure Meetup group. Our group was originally created back in 2002 (actually before we were on Meetup) by a multinational group of friends who loved hiking and wanted to get more out of our weekends and holidays. We wanted to share our heartfelt passion for the great outdoors and enthusiasm with others. For some years Backabush was an informal, unincorporated association managed by the founders for the benefit of its members.

Our group grew rapidly in those early years and in 2008, following legal advice we decided it would be wise and prudent to become a registered company to protect our organisers and our members. Following this review and the formation of the limited company, our members can now pursue their legitimate activities and aims with complete peace of mind.

Why do we do it?
We love the outdoors! The primary motivation is fun (not profit) which means that our trips offer exceptional value for money. We continue as a group with the same ethos of organising events and trips for the benefit of our members. This is what we love and we are passionate about what we do. We will always endeavour to be budget conscious and price our activities only to cover necessary expenses.

What do we do?

Over the years we have hiked and explored the National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty in Britain and abroad. It may all have started years ago with a few hiking friends gathering for a weekend in a scruffy camping barn somewhere rural and pretty but it has developed a lot from there.

Backabush has been hiking and enjoying outdoor adventure for well over a decade now and over this time we have organised literally hundreds of hiking trips throughout Great Britain. We have enjoyed visits to the Lake District, Snowdonia, Scotland, the Brecon Beacons, the Pembrokeshire Coast, Cornwall, the Peak District, the Yorkshire Dales, Dartmoor, Exmoor, the Lincolnshire Wolds, the Cambrian mountains, the Wye Valley, the Forest of Dean, the North York Moors, the New Forest, the South Downs, the Malvern Hills, the Shropshire Hills, the South Downs, the Cotswolds, the Chiltern Hills, the Jurassic Coast, the Gower Peninsula, the Pennines, the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Ben Nevis, Glen Coe, the Isle of Arran, Glen Shiel, Torridon etc, etc, etc.

National trails and long distance paths in Britain are another favourite of ours and to date we have completed the full length of Hadrian's Wall Path, the West Highland Way, the Cumbria Way, the Herriot Way and Wainwright's Coast to Coast. Although we have yet to complete the full length of many we have also enjoyed hiking sections of the Cotswold Way, Pennine Way, Offa's Dyke Path, Limestone Way, Allerdale Ramble, South West Coast Path, Great Glen Way, Monsal Trail, South Downs Way, Ridgeway, Thames Path and many, many others.

We were also trailblazers when it came to offering exciting outdoor adventures overseas. Back in 2009 we organised our very first foreign trip when we headed down into Africa to climb Mt Toubkal, the highest summit in Morocco. Next we trekked in Nepal, climbing over a 5000+ metre pass linking the Langtang and Helambu valleys. Since these early treks we went on to organise things like via ferrata holidays in the Italian Dolomites, or hiking trips to the French Alps and Jura mountains. We also love 'hut to hut' trekking and have so far completed every step of the Tour du Mt Blanc, summited Monte Perdido in the Ordessa National Park and trekked for days in the French Pyrenees to reach the awe inspiring Cirque de Gavarnie. More recently we even organised trips to Slovakia to seek out winter snowshoeing in the High Tatras and gorge scrambling in the Paradise National Park.

There are many other adventures we could mention. No other Meetup group offers adventure like this!

How do the logistics work?

We know our members are busy people so we do our best to provide a complete package for you. Backabush will research the locations, the hikes, book the accommodation and make a plan for all the meals. If you do not own a car we will help you to find transport or a lift share. You just need to communicate with the organiser who will help to co-ordinate things with you.

With a little co-operation from our members it all works very well and allows us to keep offering new locations and new hikes, year after year. Although we might return to some amazing National Parks quite regularly we always endeavour to find new venues and plan entirely new hikes. If you check out our past events you will see that we offer unrivalled variety in the locations we visit.

What are the hikes like?

On every Backabush trip we try to provide a choice of hikes each day. Obviously we will choose from the most beautiful and best loved hikes in any given area. These hikes tend to be of various length, duration and difficulty. The idea is that each person can choose the hike that best suits their fitness, experience and interests.

It is true that Backabush has a reputation within the Meetup community for offering longer and more challenging hikes but we always also offer more moderate options for those seeking a more relaxed day outdoors. Generally speaking we would say that anyone who can hike for 10 miles in hilly terrain should be fine on our trips. If you have any concerns please don't hesitate to contact us to ask questions.

What about safety?

Safety is always our number one priority. Although we can never make the outdoor environment entirely safe there are many steps that can be taken to minimise risk. Our team of outdoor activity leaders have many, many years of leadership experience and have received extensive outdoor training. Between all of our leaders we have years of military experience, ambulance work or mountain guiding.

Our principal leadership team are qualified Mountain Leaders trained at Plas-y-Brenin (the National Mountain Sports Centre) in North Wales and Winter Skills trained at Glenmore Lodge in Scotland. We regularly update our first aid qualifications and carry the required emergency aid equipment for wilderness situations. Some of us have taught or assisted on micro-navigation training courses and all have excellent route finding skills regardless of visibility or weather.

Additional our experience extends to high altitude mountaineering in several continents, be it summiting 6000+ metre peaks in the Andes, conquering the highest mountains in Africa or completing month long high altitude treks in the Himalayas.

We take our 'duty of care' of very seriously and are trained to deal with outdoor emergencies. Sometimes we hire in specific skills as necessary in the form of fully qualified instructors for things like rock climbing, caving, coasteering, kayaking, horse riding, ghyll scrambling or technical mountaineering. For some foreign trips we will either provide logistical support for safe self guided mountain trekking or hire International Mountain Leaders as deemed necessary.

Who joins our trips?

Although most people in the group are in their, 30s, 40s and 50s, age is not an issue to us - a fun loving and adventurous nature is more important. It is not uncommon to have over a dozen different nationalities represented in a single gathering.

Our groups of hikers and outdoor adventurers vary in size but on every trip some people will be regulars and some first timers. Its a great way to make new hiking friends and you need not worry about coming alone as you will always be made to feel welcome.

What we all have in common is a love of all kinds of outdoor activity including hiking, trekking, hill walking, mountaineering, scrambling, camping, canoeing, canyoning, kayaking, rock climbing, scuba diving, caving, coasteering, mountain biking and just about anything else that offers some outdoor adventure.

We are a very active bunch!

We hope YOU will join us sometime soon.

Positive vibes!

The Backabush Crew & Hiking Team

Contact Geoff & Nathan

backabushxplorers@yahoo.com
nathancapay@googlemail.com

Featured event

£1,799.00

7 seats left

TANZANIA - SUMMIT MT MERU 4562M AND SAFARI IN THE SERENGETI

Sat, Feb 6, 2027 · 7:00 PM GMT

Location not specified yet

Tanzania is one of the most breathtaking destinations on earth, and our plan is to combine two of its greatest experiences!

We are planning a 4 day summit attempt on the crescent peak of Mount Meru and a 3 day safari through the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater during the wildebeest calving season staying in a beautiful tented safari camp.

Cost - £1799. Maximum group size - 14.

Mount Meru is Tanzania's second highest mountain and one of Africa's most rewarding treks. Rising to 4,562m, it offers spectacular scenery, incredible wildlife encounters on the lower slopes, and a summit sunrise with Kilimanjaro looming on the horizon. Our trek to the summit and back will take 4 days with 3 nights on the mountain staying in huts with simple bunk rooms. We will actually be trekking through the Arusha National Park where wildlife sightings from the trails are very common and the National Park regulations actually require us to be escorted by an armed guard.

After 1 night recovering from the trek in the comfort of a hotel in Arusha, we head straight into the wild heart of Tanzania for a 3-day, 2 night safari taking in the vast plains of the Serengeti and the world-famous Ngorongoro Crater. This is a special time in the Ndutu region where the wildebeest come to have their young. Having our own private safari jeeps with expert local guides gives us a great chance for some amazing wildlife encounters.

The experience of staying in an un-fenced tented camp is quite something. It's the comfort of a hotel room with the wilderness immersion and dawn chorus of a bush camp. These experiences don't come cheap in Tanzania but the extra cost will be well worth it.

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DIFFICULTY

This trip is suitable for resilient hikers with a good level of physical fitness. A spirit of adventure and a positive mindset are just as important as physical preparation.

This itinerary includes high-altitude trekking to 4,562m above sea level. At these altitudes, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a risk for all participants. Our experienced guides are trained to recognise the symptoms of AMS and will take all necessary precautions to manage and minimise risk throughout the trek.

Although we only have 4 days of trekking BE WARNED: the summit push begins in the early hours of the morning climbing almost 1000m at high altitude before the sun rises, it will be a huge physical challenge rewarded with a spectacular panorama.

ITINERARY OVERVIEW
Saturday 6 February — Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, transfer to Hotel in Arusha.
Sunday 7 February — Day 1, Mount Meru — Transfer to Momella Gate (1500m) and begin the trek to Miriakamba Hut (2,503m). We start off through the vibrant forest and wildlife-rich lower slopes.
Monday 8 February — Day 2, Mount Meru — Ascend from Miriakamba Hut to Saddle Hut (3,560m). Optional afternoon hike to Little Meru peak for additional acclimatisation.
Tuesday 9 February — Day 3, Mount Meru — Early pre-dawn start to summit Socialist Peak (4,562m) for a spectacular sunrise. Descend back to Saddle Hut for breakfast and rest.
Wednesday 10 February — Day 4, Mount Meru — Descend via Miriakamba Hut back to Momella Gate. Transfer to Arusha for a well-earned overnight rest at our Hotel.
Thursday 11 February — Day 1, Safari — Morning transfer to the Ndutu area of the southern Serengeti for a game drive through the vast open plains tracking the wildebeest herds. Overnight at the luxurious tented camp of the Safari Haven Migration Camp.
Friday 12 February — Day 2, Safari —Our second day in the Seregeti for calving season. Maximising our chances for wildlife spotting and enjoy a second night at our tented camp accommodation.
Saturday 13 February — Day 3, Safari — Heading back towards Arusha we descend into the Ngorongoro Crater for a morning game drive hoping to spot more big game and some stunning birdlife. Transfer back to Arusha for the final night at our Hotel
Sunday 14 February — Departure— Transfers back to the aiport are included for our journey home.

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TRAVEL TO TANZANIA

We will be flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and need to land on or before Saturday 6 February 2027. We will fly home on Sunday 14 February 2027. Airport transfers t our hotel in Arusha are included and can be arranged for any flights landing on Saturday 6th February (or early Sunday morning).

I recommend the following flights with Turkish Airlines

OUTBOUND - SATURDAY 6 FEBRUARY
Turkish Airlines flight TK1242 + TK567
Departs London Stansted 10:50
Arrives Kilimanjaro JRO 02:35+1
Connection in Istanbul

INBOUND - SUNDAY 14 FEBRUARY
Turkish Airlines flight TK563 +TK1243
Departs Kilimanjaro JRO 06:10
Arrives London Stasted 16:20
Connection in Istanbul

It is also possible to fly to Nairobi and transfer to Arusha by bus. It is a long 6 hour bus ride but it is significantly cheaper. There are many other routes, via Amsterdam, Doha and Nairobi.

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WHAT'S INCLUDED

Professional English-speaking mountain and safari guides.
All park and conservation fees, trekking permits and an armed ranger escort.
All accommodation during the trip.
3 nights at the mountain huts in shared bunk rooms
3 nights in a 3 star hotel in Arusha (twin shares)
2 nights at the Safari Haven Migration Tented Camp (shared twin/triple rooms) this is safari style glamping
All meals throughout the trek
All meals throughout the safari
Airport transfers
Breakfast only for our 3 nights in Arusha
Non-alcoholic drinks, beer and wine throughout Safari
Private safari jeeps for all game drives
Backabush Support - Qualified Mountain Leader and First Aider
Financial protection according to package travel regulations

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WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Flights to and from Kilimanjaro (JRO)
Tanzania tourist visa (apply online before travel)
Travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 4,562m and remote rescue
Sleeping bag for the trek (this should be rated to around -10 degrees) bedding will be provided on Safari
Tips for guides, porter wages and safari crew (budget a minimum of $80 USD for our trek and $20 for our Safari)

***

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP

The total cost for this trip is £1,799 per person, this payment is non refundable and is payable in full or in instalments with a deposit to secure your reservation, then as follows:

£599 due on booking
£600 due by 06 August 2026
£600 due by 06 November 2026

To confirm your place, please pay via internet banking using the reference TANZANIA. Your RSVP alone is not enough to reserve a space.

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127 — Account Number: 22440622

Terms and conditions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngc5A61k76qb6HGMeTK96AVaXn0565yPS9p42IPzIy8/

Only payment secures your place. Please email nathancapay@googlemail.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks. :)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

We consider safety to be our number one priority and while we never take unnecessary risks, we do recognise that any outdoor activity involves a danger of personal injury or death. Remember that you should be aware of and accept these risks as you are responsible for your own safety and you should not undertake anything beyond your abilities. It is also your responsibility to be correctly equipped for the weather and activity you have chosen to participate in.