Nothing But Memories: Why Sketch Artist And Creator Tom Ford Prefers Experiences Over Souvenirs
Australia’s own Tom Ford travels more in one year than most people do in their adult lives. One glance at his social media, and you’ll see he’s garnered more frequent flier points than a pilot, so this content creator and video producer knows a thing or two about travel.
After spending 15 days in three countries across Africa, organised by the folks at Contiki, Tom has discovered exactly what a “surreal” trip of a lifetime can look like.
“If someone wants an adventure that actually feels like an adventure—not just a highlight reel—this is it. The Cape to Delta Safari is one of those trips that changes how you look at travel," he says.
For Tom, Africa left an immediate and lasting impression. “Africa feels raw in the best way,” he says. “The Cape to Delta route showed me places that don’t feel filtered or touristy—it’s loud but quiet and chaotic but peaceful, all at once. You genuinely feel present the whole time, like you can’t just go on autopilot. That stuck with me.”
For introverts and extroverts alike, Contiki is a one-trip-suits-all solution. “I love trips where you’re constantly meeting new people, but still have moments to just soak it all in,” Ford says. “Contiki is kind of perfect for that balance—you’re never solo unless you want to be, and there’s always something happening.” The Cape to Delta Safari, in particular, felt cohesive. “It felt like one long shared adventure with people who were just as keen to say yes to everything.”
Despite the scale and unpredictability of travelling through Africa, the experience itself was pleasantly seamless. “I was surprised by how smooth and comfortable everything felt despite how adventurous the trip actually was,” Ford says. “Africa can feel pretty intimidating to plan on your own, but with Contiki, it felt really easy to just be present and take it all in. Instead of stressing logistics, you’re just fully locked into the moment.”
Some of those moments now sit firmly in the category of lifelong memories. “Sitting there with a cold one in hand while elephants—and then lions—were literally about three metres away,” Ford recalls. “Just casually watching them exist in their natural habitat while we were parked up, not rushed, not behind a fence.”
The nights were just as surreal: “Sleeping in a tent while you can hear hyenas laughing in the distance and hippos splashing around nearby. Lying there at night thinking, ‘So this is actually happening?’ was insane.”
When he wasn’t camping among the animal kingdom, Tom was testing his nervous system. “I did the bungee jump over Victoria Falls,” Ford says. “That was wild and something I’ve never experienced before. That feeling of adrenaline you get after is crazy and makes you want to do more exhilarating activities.
“It’s definitely more about savouring the experience,” he continues. “I didn’t come home with anything but stories that sound fake when you tell them. That’s always the goal for me.”
Make like Tom Ford himself and return home from overseas with a head full of memories and a mouth full of stories, head to Contiki to book your next trip.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Contiki and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image: Supplied.