Levison Wood

Levison Wood is a professional explorer, writer and photographer. Over the last decade he has had ten critically-acclaimed documentary series which have aired around the world, in which he has walked the length of the Nile, the Himalayas, the Americas, crossed the Caucasus, circumnavigated the Arabian Peninsula, followed the migration and conservation of elephants in Botswana and more. 

Levison is an elected fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and the Explorer’s Club. He is an ambassador for UNICEF and Leica. He served as an officer for several years in the Parachute Regiment, where he saw combat operations in Afghanistan.

He has written 12 best-selling books about his journeys, including a motivational book called The Art of Exploration, which was released in June 2021. ‘Britain’s best loved adventurer’ (The Times) talks about his secrets of discovery for the first time in this revealing manual of what it means to be an explorer in the modern age. He shares his own stories, as well as examples of pioneers in many fields, using their work to show how we can all develop our own explorer’s mindset and how these lessons can be applied in daily life. With chapters on curiosity, teamwork, resilience and positivity this is a book that provides a tool kit – no matter your age or profession.

He has recently completed his fifth UK-wide speaking tour. He also often gives adventure-filled talks to companies, charities and universities on leadership and teamwork. He shares his amusing and poignant tales of life on the road and his transition from Parachute Regiment soldier to modern day explorer. With further stories and behind the scenes moments from his journeys all over the world for Channel 4, Levison asks why we travel. As well as the people and places that have inspired him, he’ll reveal the perils of life on expeditions, what it’s like being chased by hippos, shot at by gunmen, falling off a mountain and meeting illustrious figures such as the Dalai Lama along the way.

Keynote Topics:

Levison Wood offers engaging, bespoke keynote talks and fireside chats, tailored to every audience. With captivating stories from his global adventures, he inspires teams and leaders to embrace the explorer’s mindset, whether they’re navigating risk, leading innovation, or fostering collaboration. His talks are enhanced with videos and photos from his expeditions, ensuring every session is immersive, interactive, entertaining and impactful.

The Art of Exploration: Leadership lessons from the road less travelled
Synopsis: Drawing from his experiences navigating remote landscapes and challenging environments, Levison explores the critical traits of effective leadership: resilience, adaptability, and curiosity. Through his own journey—whether crossing the Himalayas or walking the length of the Nile—he shares how leaders can thrive in uncertainty and lead teams through adversity.

Risk and Reward: The explorer’s approach to decision-making
Synopsis: In this dynamic talk, Levison dissects the importance of calculated risk-taking, both in expeditions and business. Using real-life anecdotes of facing danger in warzones, wild landscapes, and remote regions, he illustrates how to assess risk, embrace uncertainty, and make bold, informed decisions that lead to success.

Beyond Survival: Teamwork under pressure in extreme environments
Synopsis: Teamwork is essential when faced with life-threatening challenges. Levison discusses the power of collaboration in the toughest environments, sharing how diverse teams—whether military, scientific, or in business—succeed by relying on trust, communication, and mutual respect.

Creativity Under Pressure: Finding innovative solutions in the field
Synopsis: In this talk, Levison shows how exploration forces one to think outside the box. From navigating unknown terrains to finding solutions to life-threatening problems, he demonstrates how an “explorer’s mindset” fosters creativity and innovation in the face of adversity.

The Explorer’s Mindset: Curiosity as a tool for personal and professional growth
Synopsis: Curiosity is a powerful driver of progress, both in exploration and in business. Levison shares his insights on how curiosity led him to the most awe-inspiring corners of the world, and how embracing this trait can unlock opportunities, drive personal growth, and build stronger teams.

Photography: Capturing the spirit of Adventure  
Synopsis: A seasoned photographer and Leica ambassador, Levison reveals how photography has played a key role in his adventures. In this visually-rich talk, he shares his journey behind the lens, offering insights into how capturing the right moment can convey powerful messages about leadership, resilience, and the human spirit.

Conservation and Adventure: Exploring the world’s fragile ecosystems
Synopsis: Levison shares his experiences working alongside conservationists and exploring the world’s most endangered regions. Through captivating stories from his wildlife-focused expeditions, he delves into the importance of preserving our planet and discusses how businesses and individuals can play an active role in environmental stewardship.

All talks are designed to be adaptable, depending on the needs of the audience, and include vivid storytelling, engaging visuals, and opportunities for interactive discussions. Levison Wood’s fireside chats provide a more relaxed, informal setting for intimate storytelling and Q&A, making them a perfect option for leadership teams looking for deeper insights.

PUBLICATIONS

The Great Tree Story (published April 2025)

Walking The Nile: 10 year anniversary edition 

Escape From Kabul 

Endurance

The Art of Exploration

Encounters: A photographic Journey

The Last Giants

Incredible Journeys: Discovery, Adventure,

Danger, Endurance

Arabia: A Journey through the Heart of the Middle East

Walking the Americas

Eastern Horizons

Walking the Himalayas

Walking the Nile

Walking the Himalayas won Adventure Travel Book of the Year at the Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards (2016). Walking the Nile and Walking the Americas were both Sunday Times bestsellers. Eastern Horizons was shortlisted for the ESTWA adventure travel book of the year in 2018. ‘An Arabian Journey’ was one of Hudson Book’s top 10 books of the year in 2019.

TELEVISION SERIES

The Last Burma Star 2025

Walking with… 2023   

Expedition Borderlands with Levison Wood & Ash Bhardwaj 2023

Walking with Elephants 2019

Arabia with Levison Wood 2019

From Russia to Iran: Crossing the Wild Frontier 2017

Walking the Americas 2016

Walking the Himalayas 2015

Walking the Nile 2014

Global reach:

Levison’s TV series have been broadcast and distributed in over 100 countries worldwide.

“EXHILARATING… WOOD IS JUST THE KIND OF GUY YOU WANT WITH YOU ON AN ADVENTURE.” – The Washington Post

“BRITAIN’S BEST-LOVED ADVENTURER… A MAN WHO WILL STARE DANGER IN THE FACE AND SOAK UP A LOT OF PAIN WITHOUT COMPLAINT.” – The Times

“IN THE MACHO-FUELLED ARENA OF TV ADVENTURERS, LEVISON WOOD IS THAT RARE BEAST: THE REAL DEAL.” – Radio Times 

“LEVISON WOOD IS A GREAT ADVENTURER AND A WONDERFUL STORYTELLER” – Sir Ranulph Fiennes

“WOOD’S USP IS THAT, UNLIKE A GREAT MANY PRETENDERS, HE IS THE REAL DEAL: A FORMER PARATROOPER, A MAJOR IN THE ARMY RESERVES AND AS HARD AS NAILS” – Telegraph

“LEVISON WOOD HAS BREATHED NEW LIFE INTO ADVENTURE TRAVEL” – Michael Palin

Showreel – https://vimeo.com/1037377026