Next expedition · Nigeria · Nov 29 – Dec 13, 2026
From November 29 to December 13, 2026, I’m travelling to Nigeria with conservation scientist Dr. Charles Emogor. I’ll follow the scientists and rangers who track and protect Cross River gorillas and pangolins in a rare West African rainforest, and I’ll look honestly at the pressures these animals face. My aim is simple: to help people care, and to show a Nigeria that is far more than its reputation.
Pangolins are among the most trafficked and least understood mammals in the world. This December I’m joining Dr. Charles Emogor, a Cambridge researcher and National Geographic Explorer, and his team in the Mbe Mountains of Cross River State, near where he grew up.
The team is field-testing new ways to track white-bellied pangolins, including custom trackers, drones and thermal cameras, alongside local rangers.
I’m going to tell the human side: the researchers and rangers who spend their nights in the forest looking for an animal most people have never seen.
Dispatches from Nigeria will be posted here after the expedition.
Brands and organisations can support the Nigeria expedition as partners: field-tested kit, storytelling from Nigeria and talks afterwards. Fjällräven is supplying expedition kit.
Email how you’d like to support the expedition: kit, storytelling from Nigeria or talks afterwards.
Email contact@mariorigby.comGet dispatches from Nigeria by email: a few short dispatches before, during and after the expedition.
Email to be added to the Nigeria expedition dispatches. No other list.
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