ABOUT US
Undiscovered Montenegro is a UK-registered adventure travel company founded in 2008 by British husband and wife team and Balkans aficionados, Emma and Ben Heywood.
Between us, we have travelled to over 50 countries worldwide. We like to think that when it comes to taking the road less travelled in search of untouched, natural beauty, we’re hard to impress – so when we first saw Montenegro – and Lake Skadar in particular – our immediate impression was disbelief that such epic, African-style natural beauty had been hiding on our own doorstep in Europe.
From that moment, came our inspiration to bring a taste of safari to one of Europe’s wildest countries. We started out in 2008 by renovating our own property – Villa Miela – to become our ‘Activity Base’ for week-long hosted holidays at Lake Skadar – and have since branched out to cover more of this incredible country and even into Albania and Croatia with the help of our small team of expert guides, some of the best company you could hope to keep and with unrivalled knowledge and passion for the lesser-known gems.
We have been committed from the beginning to bringing a responsible, sustainable approach to tourism to Montenegro’s national parks. Our small group activity and nature holidays are high impact in experience but low impact on the environment – and also, crucially, are designed to give back to local people and wildlife. Undiscovered Montenegro actively supports local pelican conservation, environmental action and community regeneration, so when you choose us, you’re giving back too. Read even more reasons why to choose us.
Come on our amazing adventures and we’ll introduce you to a world undiscovered!
MEET THE TEAM
Emma
A seasoned backpacker, Emma’s itchy feet have taken her across Africa, Asia, Australia and America in search of adventure and new experiences. She worked as a conservationist in Zambia, a press officer for the British Government and for the US oil industry before deciding her future lay in sustainable tourism in the Balkans. Inspired by Lake Skadar’s incredible, ever-changing scenery, Emma is able to indulge her love of travel, yoga, art and photography to the full running Undiscovered Montenegro’s adventures. In her spare time she volunteers her publicity skills to local conservation projects and initiatives and enjoys strong Turkish coffee. She speaks English, Serbian/Montenegrin and French.
Ben
Born in Scotland, raised in Venezuela, Germany, the UAE and the UK, Ben speaks English, German, French and Serbian/Montenegrin, and is a BCU qualified kayak coach. Prior to setting up Undiscovered Montenegro with Emma, he spent a 15-year career in international publishing – the renovation of an old stone house on Vis Island, Croatia and a round-the-world trip back-packing with Emma convinced him that the world had more to offer than just a desk job! Lake Skadar’s incredible backdrop is now his office, where he can indulge his passions for hiking, kayaking, occasional carpentry and organic home-cooking.
Vuk
Vuk is a man of many talents – radio show host, voice-over artist and committed eco-phile, he is one of the very few locally qualified kayak guides in Montenegro. His passion for the outdoors also extends to his origins in the north of Montenegro, where he runs our multi-activity adventures in Biogradska Gora & Durmitor National Parks, among other amazing locations! Vuk speaks excellent English and of course Serbian/Montenegrin.
Bojana
Bojana might well be said to have written the book on sustainable tourism in Montenegro! Whilst working for the CSTI (Centre for Sustainable Tourism) and various NGOs she helped to define Montenegro’s reputation for organic gastronomy as well as having a hand in creating many of the National Parks’ hiking trails. Together with her brother, Vuk, she now helps to run all our tours in the north, as well as as several further south, too! She speaks Serbian/Montenegrin and English.
Gigo
Gigo is probably one of the most intrepid and experienced paddlers in the whole of Montenegro! Not content with running regular kayaking tours on the Tara and Morača rivers, as well as at Lake Skadar, he is also one of the prime organisers behind the annual Tara Kayak Fest. He speaks Montenegrin, of course, fluent English and is a fully qualified kayaking guide.
Radonja
Radonja is the newest member of our team – he is happiest walking up in the mountains, the higher and more remote the better! An expert photographer and alpinist, he has been guiding hiking and other adventure tours for nearly 20 years. He speaks Montenegrin, fluent English and is a fully qualified mountain guide.
