I thrive on uncertainty - even chaos. Security protocols, weather alarms or ISO certificates don’t get my heart racing. I’d much rather navigate the bustling streets of Beirut than the orderly lanes of Seattle. I’d take street food in La Paz over a Michelin-starred dinner in London any day. And the thought of sailing towards Antarctica in gale-force winds excites me far more than standing in line for breakfast in Dubai.
My journey has been anything but conventional. I’ve worked as a laundry driver, newspaper reporter, lawyer and commercial copywriter before finding my true calling in travel photography and wilderness guiding. I’ve sailed to Antarctica three times, documented indigenous tribes threatened by gold prospectors deep in the Amazon, and, at the height of the Syrian war, traveled to Lebanon and Jordan to capture the lives of refugees through my lens.
What drives me is an insatiable thirst for freedom. My survival instincts are so deeply ingrained that I trust them without hesitation. Individuality is sacred to me — whether it’s people, ideas, or intentions, I can spot when something or someone isn’t being true to their authentic self, and I tend to avoid anything that feels false or inauthentic.
And that's exactly what I can help you discover: the power to choose your own path. To stay true to yourself, even when the road gets bumpy. To trust your instincts and your perception, even when others doubt you. To remain calm when chaos surrounds you, and to face the unexpected head-on — even when danger is involved.
For nearly 15 years, I’ve guided people on a one-on-one basis during private expeditions into the African wilderness, far from the comforts of modern life, to experience firsthand what true freedom feels like. It’s not about avoiding fear — it’s about accepting it and understanding that freedom comes when you allow fear to exist. In the raw simplicity and responsibility of life in the bush, you reconnect with nature — and, in turn, with yourself.
I also do tailor-made ‘crash courses’ in bush camping, designed for those who want to immerse themselves in the wilderness but lack experience. These immersive journeys combine luxury travel with basic camping, providing the opportunity to master essential skills like four-wheel-drive techniques, navigation, bush cooking, survival tactics, and wildlife encounters — while experiencing the thrill of the wild.
Back home in Europe, I host workshops and lectures focused on photography, personal freedom, and the art of living fully. In these sessions, I help people tap into their true creative potential by connecting deeply with themselves and the world around them.
So. Are you ready to break free from the ordinary? Let’s grab a coffee and discuss how we can begin your adventure.
I am just one click away!
Thijs Heslenfeld
mobile: +31-651198485 / e-mail: thijs@thijsheslenfeld.com
