SOE Expeditions Reviews 31

Embarking on my inaugural adventure to MENA, with Egypt as the focal point, I participated in an SOE Expedition. My background with the Australian SASR equipped me with Vehicle Mounted (Mobility) Infil skills, and I've delved into literature about the WWII-era LRDG and SAS activities in North Africa. Malcolm and Duncan, leading our expedition with expertise, crafted an outstanding itinerary. Mal's proficiency in Arabic facilitated smooth negotiations for essentials, while Duncan enriched our journey with his extensive historical knowledge, and I anticipate his leadership in future excursions.Unexpectedly joining us were Sly, a French-Canadian piper who serenaded us with his melodies, and Richard Bagnold, the grandson of renowned desert explorer Ralph Bagnold, inventor of the Sun Compass and a pioneer of the Long Range Desert Group. Richard's insights into his grandfather's legacy were invaluable.The historical landmarks captivated me, triggering memories of my own past while uncovering the stories of the men behind these iconic military units. I wished for more time in the Great Sand Sea, tackling its demanding landscape with driving and navigation.Our accommodations varied from the distinctive mud palace of Siwa to the proximity of the majestic Pyramids at Giza, offering comfort and intrigue. The local people, especially our drivers, were welcoming and supportive. Even the hawkers near Giza maintained a respectful distance.The diverse cuisines during meal breaks delighted me, with falafel, hummus, bread, and vegetables standing out, though I did miss my usual bacon ration, which I enjoyed upon returning home. SOE Expeditions delivered an exceptional journey through the historic and geographical roots of the LRDG and SAS, leaving me to reflect on the invaluable lessons I wish I had learned much earlier.

This was one of those trips of a lifetime. Very well organised and led by Malcolm and Duncan. A sombre starting point at Heliopolis War Cemetary offered us a reminder of the sacrifices made by those brave men and women. From Cairo to Alexandria, El Alamein, Siwa Oasis, and the Great Sand Sea, Malcolm ensured we understood the significance of these place in the SAS/LRDG history. The field visits to Bagush and Sidi Haneish were remarkable. I was lucky to be accompanied by a group of guys whose wit and friendship made everyday an enjoyable one. If I could, I would wind the clock back and do it all again.

Quite simply this trip was everything I hoped it would be and much more. For someone who has read and studied so much about these battles, it was unbelievable to actually tread on the ground upon which legends had stood.
The group dynamic just added to the experience with so much knowledge and experience from around the world, sharing the adventure. I have already starting planning for my next trip with SOE.

This SOE Expedition was my first journey to MENA, Egypt in particular. Having been a member of Australian SASR, my Infil skill was Vehicle Mounted (Mobility), and I have read a few books about LRDG and SAS in North Africa during WWII.
The SOE team Leaders, Malcolm and Duncan did a splendid job in planning and conducting our tour, particularly as Mal speaks the lingua franca (Arabic) and could negotiate for goods and services. Duncan was also a wealth of historic information, I look forward to him leading the Expedition in due course.
The two surprise attendees were Sly, a FrenchCanadian piper who played laments and reveille during our wanderings, and Richard Bagnold, grandson of Ralph Bagnold intrepid desert Explorer, archaeologist, inventor of the much lauded Sun Compass and originator of the famous Long Range Desert Group. Lastly, Richard was very informative about RB and his experiences with the great man.
I found the historic sites absolutely fascinating and found myself reliving b some of my own experiences while learning of those men who started the two Units. I would very much liked to have spent much more time in the Great Sand Sea, driving, recovering and navigating across this challenging terrain
Our accomodations were comfortable and interesting, from the mud palace of Siwa to the closness of the Great Pyramids at Giza. I found the people, our two drivers notably, were friendly and very helpful. Even the pavement pirates around Giza were not too intrusive.
I enjoyed the wide selection of foods provided at our meal breaks, I liked the falafel and humus, bread and vegetables most. Of course I did miss my ration of bacon from which I recovered on return home.
SOE Expeditions conducted an exceptional expedition of the historic and geographic foundations of LRDG and SAS, it is a great pity that I had not learned these lessons a lifetime ago.

After 2 weeks back from the North AfriKa tour , I still feel the calm of the desert mixed with all the lessons learned, the explications in order to understand much more about the challenges they faced on a daily basis, the courage it took them , not knowing if…. Malcolm our guides and Duncan done an impressive job in guiding us, managing logistics, adapting to all places we have been. The ceremonies at the 2 cemeteries are so unforgettable. The 2 drivers were top Notch as well . The hotels , the food were very very good. I strongly recommend going to the next Tour, to all of you. At home, so few people knows about the LRDG -SAS exploits but e v e r y one of them were so impressed with the stories and pictures that I have shown them . The stories about the people on the Tour as well, coming from all around the world , great companionship were made. So, I will conclude with this : to Who Dares Win , GO !

Wonderful trip across the beautiful nature of Scotland, with amazing historical sites and stories from the Special Forces in WWII.

If you like to be outdoors and like to know more about commando's, spies, weapons, tactics, espionage, sabotage, etc,... this is the perfect combination. You will be exactly where things happened 60 years ago, while you hear the stories from historians, looking at the houses and training grounds in front of you.

With a basic good condition all activities (hiking, abseiling, running) can be done just fine. It's not a boot camp, or a survival camp. It's active and outside, but you can take your time, and enjoy the sights along the way. You will be taken care of at all times, and will be sleeping in a hotel each night. Just make sure you've got your clothes packed for all weather conditions, according to the kit-list provided beforehand.

The expedition has left me even more impressed by all the efforts of the Allies to liberate Europe from the Nazis, and these training grounds were a crucial part of it. Hiding far away in the north of Scotland to stay secret for most of the time, training in the rough terrain, during all types of weather, really shows what the special forces had to go through before being sent into their missions.

Thanks to Matt and his fellow team-members for an unforgettable experience!

I participated in the Elite WWII Raiders Expedition. Our guides were very friendly and flexible and have fulfilled all our wishes, making it an bespoke experience. I was surprised how they coped with the requests from the group and were able to answer all our questions.

Also, I was very impressed by the amount of subject matter experts that contributed to this Expedition and the level of access they have to the historic sites.

At our own request we were able to join a few physical challenges which made the week for me.

Everybody was so kind and the expedition so well organized... I will sign up for one of the other expeditions for sure. I recommend this trip to all!!

The history surrounding operation Grouse, Freshman, And Gunnerside and the attack on the Nazi Heavy water plant at Vemork, Rjukan has for a long time interested me and here finally was a Exped that was going to offer the challenge of the route mixed in with the history of the raid .... Perfect!!

Being a 58 year old man, of average fitness with a total of 5 days experience on skis in my life i was a little apprehensive as i met my fellow adventurers and boarded the bus at Oslo Airport for the transportation to Rjukan...

I needn’t of worried..
Matt and his extremely professional team had everything in hand for a newbie like myself ..

After arriving at our accommodation (which was outstanding imo... the location, food and the extremely knowledgeable host who lives and breaths the Gunnerside story) ..we were given a room
and a hot meal..
This was to be our base for the next 3 nights..

Two days out on the skis, the first travelling light and the second pulling pulks.... constantly being given advice and tips from Matt and his team took me from a shaky start to a point i felt more than capable to set off for our adventure ..

A day was then spent at the Museum and in the town of Rjukan, then food and Pulks were loaded for the following day..

The Exped itself was everything i had hoped for from the stunningly beautiful wilderness of the Hardangervidda, the remoteness of the huts and the sometimes extreme weather conditions and a great bunch of fellow adventurers..
This trip had the lot..

Much was learnt over the following days ..

I would have no hesitation recommending Matt, his team at SOE Expeditions..

If you like your WW2 history mixed in with a large dose of adventure get yourself on one of these trips, you wont regret it 👊

The Gunnerside Escape Route was a truly memorable experience, both as a physical challenge and a historical reflection of the brave members of the Norwegian resistance.

Matt and his excellent team ensured we were fully prepared, giving lessons, advice and practical training days prior to embarking on the expedition.

The trip attracted a diverse and adventurous group of people which were able to bond in the comfortable surroundings of the Rjukan Fjellstue, which has it's own museum related to the Heavy Water attack.

The escape route ski was strenuous, and a good level of fitness is definitely recommended. The initial good weather disappeared on day two and snow and high winds made the conditions truly challenging. The weather also made us appreciate what those brave men of the Gunnerside and Grouse teams went through to achieve their mission. Following in the foot steps (or ski tracks) of legends is no picnic!

Thanks to Matt and all those involved in making this a first class trip, I recommend this for people who want more from their expeditions.

After participating in SOE Expeditions Operation Gunnerside attack route last year, I quickly placed a deposit down for the Op Gunnerside escape route 2025 (well, you have to finish the Op!)….I am now on my way home from what I can only describe as yet another awesome experience, and as usual leaving me wanting more!
Matt and his team of experienced guides from both the UK and Norway provide an authentic experience of what these brave people endured in the dark days of WW2 with their museum visits and talks from people who have an in-depth knowledge and passion of everything that went on during this operation.
Also providing the unique opportunity of staying in the very same huts as the saboteurs did while taking shelter from the harsh unforgiving environment that presents itself up there on the plateau.
This was a truly great experience, yet again meeting some wonderful people from very diverse backgrounds who provided a great team spirit along with interesting stories to listen to around the candle while the wind whistled shuddered the huts of an evening.
A truly great experience that I will never forget.
I recommend it to anyone with a sense of adventure and or an interest in WW2 history as it is really brought to life.

It is not everyday you get to experience with men and women from all walks of life participating in recreating the attack and escape route of a decisive military Operation which occured during WW11, following in the exploits of Norwegian legends who changed the outcome of the war and future of the free world. The S.O.E team; Matt, John, Stein and Jonnie ensured that these men and Operation Gunnerside continues to be remembered. The S.O.E team ensured that we experienced just that in various challenging circumstances ensuring that we came together as a team with courage, determination, cheerfulness and unselfishness. Its an adventure and people I have met I will never forget. Many thanks.

An amazing trip following the ‘Escape Route’ of Operation Gunnerside across the Hardangervidda. If it was ‘just’ a ski tour it would have been awesome but with Matt’s military historical knowledge and that of his local contacts (Stein and Bjorn) the experience is elevated to another level. Unfortunately for our teams the weather shut us down with winds gusting to over 100kph but a two day escape the escape route got us all safely back to the road head helped by our guides Matt, Stein, Jonnie and John. I learned loads both in terms of off track skiing with a pulk and the history of the Gunnerside operation. Thoroughly recommended.

I recently travelled to Norway with SOE Expeditions to retrace Operation Gunnerside Attack route.

On what was and is a physically demanding ski trip across the Hardangervidda, Matt and the team provided expert guiding and support throughout.

The trip also included talks and museum excursions, all of which led to a greater appreciation of what the original Gunnerside mission achieved and the hardship endured by those brave men.

I highly recommend SOE expeditions.

The entire trip was an incredible experience, made even better by the great people I met along the way. From visiting the iconic Commando training centers and the many lodges where SOE agents received paramilitary training before conducting missions in France, Norway, or Czechoslovakia, to listening to presentations about the SOE, their missions, and their unique equipment, every moment offered a fascinating deep dive into history. Hearing how Commandos were trained in Achnacarry and visiting various memorials further enriched the experience.
The trip was well-organized, and even the Scottish weather was kind to us for most of the time! ;-)
I’m already looking forward to joining another expedition organized by Matt and SOE Expeditions.

Fantastic trip up the West Coast to see the lodges and estate shooting houses that were requisitioned for SOE training. Visit to the Commando training centre and memorial. It is a fantastic 5 days expertly arranged by Matt. Always approachable and flexible making sure everyone happy at all times. We abseiled , fast RIB boats, historical commando training walks and he let us bring our dog too! The evening speakers were awesome and I'd come back in a heartbeat. Thanks Matt.

I attended the SAS-LRDG program in Egypt in October 2024. It was a great experience full of camaraderie and history. A great travel experience, especially in Siwa Oasis. Walking the ground of the origins of both Special Forces units was brilliant!

Fabulous trip, well organised, well informed in the build up phase prior to travel. Collected at the airport The guides looked well after the group from the very start.
It was an action packed educational fun trip. It was amazing how much we got to see and experience in the 10 days. This was all done with expert Historians that were along for the entire trip. The Hotels were all top standard and pretty much the best out there.
The food was great and I was well over fed, but I can’t blame the company for that one.
The group we travel with was a mixture of different ages between 20 & 70 but all were a great laugh very entertaining and just rocked this trip. The photos and experience was incredible (just checkout the photos of our trip).
I would do this trip again any day of the week and would love to do another with the same bunch of guys & girls.

Matt organised a trip specifically to cater to those interested in the LRDG and the North African campaigns, and the genesis of the SAS.
This was made special by a group of like minded people who gelled instantly and we had a really great experience and time together.
Steve Chambers our battle field guide was exceptional at pulling the history together! I wholly recommend this trip to anyone interested in the origins of Special Forces around the world!

The whole trip was a great experience, with great people. Super interesting and I felt save and seen in every moment. Matt (SOE Expeditions) did an awesome job of putting this adventure in the dessert together and making even sand dunes super interesting 😁. Everyone who is interested in the British warfare and their special forces of the second world War should do this tour to experience what the forces did back then in the 1940s.

What an incredible trip!!

Our family recently went on a WW2 Reunion Trip to commemorate the brave men that fought for our freedom in France, and to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Matt and Stu from SOE Expeditions went above and beyond to make this highly emotional trip the most incredible experience. These guys are the ultimate professional's, with a friendly and approachable ‘can do’ attitude.. nothing was too much trouble and every day ran like clockwork. We look forward to future trips and would highly recommend!! Absolutely AMAZING!!!