TV’s most daring explorer Levison Wood is back with a new Walking series where he shines a light on endangered animals and ventures to Borneo, Namibia and Greenland
Just one near-death experience would be enough to put most people off risking their lives for the sake of a TV show. But for former paratrooper Levison Wood, numerous dangerous encounters have only driven him on to bigger and more daring expeditions.
But perhaps he got a little too close at times, as Levison recalls one incident that had him slightly worried. He explains, “Even though the series is called Walking With… , it’s really about being immersed in the environment – [spending time with] the Himba in Namibia and the people in Borneo, fascinating communities who’ve all got their own challenges.
While for most, the idea of travelling across the harshest of terrains and coming face to face with death isn’t an ambition, Levison explains that his love for travel and pushing himself to the limit began at an early age. After five years in the regular army, Levison left in 2010. He started his own expedition business and also took up writing and photography.
Levison has explored more than 100 countries, but walking the Nile was the toughest journey he’s ever embarked on. For nine months, he was joined by friends and guides on different stages of the route, which claimed the life of US journalist Matt Power who was accompanying Levison in Uganda. Sadly, Matt died of severe heat stroke before help could arrive.