About
For those passionate about living and giving …
A Make A Difference Adventure Tour can be a life-changing experience – not just for you, but for the lives of those you change.
Every so often in life, an extraordinary opportunity comes along to take part in an adventure that cannot be purchased from a travel company, and yet is a bespoke event for discerning travellers.
Such opportunities come in many guises, but not often does such an event present itself that combines not only adventure and travel, but also the unique opportunity to change the lives of disadvantaged children.
You are invited to participate in a once in a lifetime journey. These first class trips are by invitation only with everything organised for you, down to the last detail. The fixed price includes absolutely everything related to the trip. In fact, there will be no need to put your hand into your pocket at all for the duration of the adventure. Travel to and from the start/end points are additional and travel insurance is your own responsibility.
Our trips are composed of small groups of like minded people with a love of adventure and a passion to make a difference.
Each bespoke trip involves a charity component and the total of these funds go directly to the charity.
All trips include:
- Luxury Accommodation
- Delicious Cuisine
- Breathtaking Sights
Micko O’Byrne
The Australian Adventurer
… is the creator, organiser and leader of Make A Difference Adventure Tours.
Micko’s Journey started here…
From very humble beginnings and growing up in institutions, Micko took the lessons life had given him and was able to build several successful businesses and now spends his time ‘having adventures’ sharing his passion for life and his passion for giving.
Micko not only believes but lives this quote by Hunter S. Thompson
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”
Born in Queensland, Australia.
Micko has led what many have described as a colourful life with a variety of careers from bull catcher to bus driver, to actor, to rock music promoter, to small business advisor and thought leader and strategist to the Mining Industry and Aboriginal economic development.
Micko as an entrepreneur…
In his forties, Micko established his own business enterprises which now generates the income that allows him to pursue his main passion in life:
- planning, organising and undertaking
- adventures and expeditions
many in remote and challenging parts of the world.
Experienced Horse Trainer and Overland Adventurer…
Micko has journeyed overland for six months through deserts of Central Australia with a wagon and four horses as well as a three-month pack horse trip across the remote Kimberley region of Western Australia.
He has a love and natural talent for training horses – especially the magnificent Percherons and Clydesdale.
Devoted Dad and Grandad…
Micko has two sons, Liam and Blaze, and 3 Grandchildren. Both his sons have accompanied Micko on motor bike, 4WD, and horse back expedition across Australia and the world.
Both boys share Micko’s love for world travel, business and adventure and regularly travel the globe.
His new wife Nicky Rattray has bought three more adult sons and an additional three granddaughters into the fold. All three boys Andrew, Douglas and Peter have joined Micko on motorcycle expeditions in Southern Africa.
Peter and Blaze also rode their motorcycles from Rorke’s Drift in South Africa up the east coast route to Brecon in Wales accompanied by Micko in his trusty Toyota.
This expedition raised $50,000 USD for Khula Education Foundation.
Micko as a thought leader…
Micko has been engaged as a senior consultant to the managing directors of mining companies, providing strategic advice in the area of Aboriginal economic development.
Clients have included Rio Tinto, Argyle Diamonds, Newmont Gold and Woodside.
How he spends his time…
He flies his own plane and holds a helicopter license, rides motor cycles and horses, andhas a love of art and music.
He also has a passion for embarking on and creating new, one off exclusive adventure tours in Africa and Australia by Motorcycle and/or 4WD.
This he loves because firstly, it’s a ton of fun and secondly he can spend quality time with like-minded high-achievers with a heart for doing some good.
Micko has a deep passion for life and a love of ‘fine tea’ which he partakes regularly under the thorn tree on his new home on a 5000 acre nature reserve in South Africa.
Micko as an Adventurer…
Micko has achieved some of the most diverse, challenging and exciting expeditions on earth. He has the constant yearning to see what is over the next hill, to meet with people of diverse cultures and to experience the description given by Mark Twain.
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime”
You can view some of his previous adventures here > https://madadventuretours.com/past-destinations/
Micko’s committment to Giving…
“I like to have fun adventures and thought that others people I know would also enjoy them.
I started leading across Australia motorbike rides for mates around 20 years ago and that gradually grew from an informal group of friends joining for fun to bigger and more organised expeditions that required much more logistical work and along the way a decision was made to use these trips to raise funds for charity” Over the years several hundred thousand dollars has been raised and donated to various charities by these expeditions.
Micko has many close friendships in Aboriginal communities throughout Australia and is always interested in the lifestyle of ethnic minorities.
Since moving to Africa in 2014 he now lives in an extremely poor regional area of Zululand where his wife is chair and co-founder of a charity that support 17 schools.
Micko saw that the workers for the Foundation had neither the time or skill set to achieve fundraising events so he thought it was something he could do to help out.
Come and join us on our next adventure …