James, travel agent: “I’ve visited 35 of the most dangerous countries in the world and I would go back to these 3 without a doubt”
The CEO of Untamed Borders has visited 35 of the world's most dangerous countries. He says he would return to three of them without hesitation.
An adventurer has revealed three countries that British authorities advise against travelling to, but which he says he would visit again without hesitation. He is James Willcox, CEO of Untamed Borders, an agency that specialises in organising expeditions for Britons to remote and hard-to-reach destinations around the world.
Willcox explains that his company offers itineraries covering regions such as the Eurasian steppe, the Himalayas, Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and parts of north-east and central Africa. Some of the countries included in these trips, including Afghanistan and Yemen, appear on the UK Foreign Office’s no-travel list.
Speaking to the Express, Willcox said that trip planning is based on detailed risk assessments, drawing on information from government sources, specialists, and non-governmental organisations. He also acknowledged that such expeditions can involve unexpected disruptions, such as airspace closures or flight cancellations.
One of the countries he highlights is Afghanistan, with which he says he has a strong personal connection after visiting many times. For years, his company promoted tourism initiatives there, particularly linked to skiing and sporting events. Willcox points to the country’s cultural diversity and the singular nature of historical sites such as the Buddhas of Bamiyan and the Minaret of Jam.
The second destination is Yemen, where the city of Shibam stands out. Known for its tall mud-brick buildings, the ancient walled city in the Hadramaut Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its vertical architecture and centuries-old history.
Finally, Willcox mentions Libya, focusing on the Jebel Acacus region in the south of the country. This area is recognised by UNESCO for its rock art and striking geological formations. While Libya is widely considered unsafe due to its political situation, he notes that his travels are restricted to areas he regards as more stable and tightly controlled.
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