Levison Wood Is A Renowned English Explorer, Writer, Photographer, And Documentary Maker Known For His Extraordinary Long-Form Walking Expeditions Across Some Of The World’s Most Remote And Challenging Regions. From Walking The Entire Length Of The Nile To Traversing The Himalayas And The Arabian Peninsula, Levison Has Dedicated His Life To Adventure, Storytelling, And Highlighting Environmental Issues And Indigenous Communities. He Is Chancellor At Staffordshire University, A UNICEF UK Ambassador, And A WWF Ambassador.
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Books, TV Documentaries, Speaking Engagements, Brand Ambassadorships
Levison Wood Achievements
First Ever Walk Of The Entire Nile River: Completed The Historic First Expedition To Walk The Full Length Of The River Nile From Rwanda’s Nyungwe Forest Over Nine Months Starting December 2013.
Walking The Himalayas: Successfully Walked The Length Of The Himalayas From Afghanistan To Bhutan In 2015, Documenting The Entire Journey In A Book And TV Series.
5,000-Mile Arabian Peninsula Circumnavigation: Completed A Full 5,000-Mile Circumnavigation Of The Arabian Peninsula In 2017, Traveling Through Syria, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, And Lebanon.
Adventure Travel Book Of The Year 2016: His Book Walking The Himalayas Was Voted “Adventure Travel Book Of The Year” At The Prestigious Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards.
Fellow Of The Royal Geographical Society: Elected As A Fellow Of The Royal Geographical Society In 2011 In Recognition Of His Exceptional Contributions To Exploration.
Fellow Of The Explorers Club, New York: Elected As A Fellow Of The Prestigious Explorers Club In New York, Joining A Legacy Of The World’s Greatest Adventurers.
Honorary Doctorates: Awarded Honorary Doctorates By Both Staffordshire University And The University Of Nottingham For His Outstanding Work As An Explorer, Writer, And Photographer.
Chancellor Of Staffordshire University: Appointed As Chancellor Of Staffordshire University In March 2024, Taking Up The Position On 1st May 2024.
UNICEF UK & WWF Ambassador: Serves As A Proud UNICEF UK Ambassador And WWF Ambassador, Actively Supporting Global Humanitarian And Environmental Causes.
12+ Bestselling Books: Has Authored Over 12 Books Including Walking The Nile, Walking The Himalayas, Arabia, And Escape From Kabul, Establishing Himself As A Celebrated Bestselling Author.
Levison Wood Military Career
Regiment
Parachute Regiment
Commissioned
13 April 2006
Promoted To Captain
13 October 2008
Served In
Afghanistan (Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul)
Left Active Duty
April 2010
Reservist Role
Major, 77th Brigade (Rejoined 2012)
Levison Wood Military Awards & Decorations
Operational Service Medal For Afghanistan With Afghanistan Clasp
Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
Volunteer Reserves Service Medal
Army Achievement Medal (US Army Award)
Levison Wood Early Life Story
Born On 5 May 1982 In Hartshill, Staffordshire, Levison Wood Grew Up In The Quiet Village Of Forsbrook, Raised By Two Teachers Who Nurtured His Curiosity And Love For Learning. From An Early Age, Levison Showed A Deep Fascination With History, Adventure, And The World Beyond His Doorstep. He Attended Painsley Catholic College Before Going On To Study History At The University Of Nottingham, Where He Graduated With Honours. Even As A Young Man, He Was Drawn To Stories Of Great Explorers Like John Hanning Speke And David Livingstone â Men Who Dared To Walk Into The Unknown. That Inspiration Would Shape The Entire Course Of His Life.
Levison Wood Struggle Story
Levison’s Journey Was Never Easy. After Serving Four Challenging Years In The Parachute Regiment â Including Active Duty In The Dangerous Terrains Of Helmand, Kandahar, And Zabul In Afghanistan â He Left The Army In 2010 And Stepped Into The Uncertain World Of Writing And Photography. Transitioning From A Military Career To That Of An Explorer And Author Was A Daunting Path. On His Very First Major Expedition â Walking The Nile â He Faced Civil War In South Sudan That Forced Him To Abandon A 450-Mile Stretch Of The Route. He Also Witnessed The Tragic Death Of His Colleague Matthew Power From Severe Heatstroke. These Were Not Just Professional Setbacks But Deeply Personal Losses That Tested His Resolve. Yet, He Persevered â Because For Levison Wood, The Journey Always Had To Continue.
Levison Wood Success Story
Today, Levison Wood Stands As One Of Britain’s Most Celebrated Modern Explorers. His Expeditions â Walking The Nile, The Himalayas, The Americas, The Caucasus, The Arabian Peninsula, And Beyond â Have Been Turned Into Critically Acclaimed Documentary Series For Channel 4 And Discovery. He Has Authored Over 12 Bestselling Books, Won Major Literary Awards, And Built A Legacy That Spans Adventure, Conservation, And Humanitarian Work. Recognized By Some Of The Most Prestigious Institutions In The World â From The Royal Geographical Society To The Explorers Club In New York â Levison Continues To Push Boundaries And Inspire Millions. His Appointment As Chancellor Of Staffordshire University In 2024 Is A Testament To His Remarkable Impact Both On And Off The Field.
Levison Wood Bibliography
2015 â Walking The Nile
2016 â Walking The Himalayas: An Adventure Of Survival And Endurance
2017 â Eastern Horizons: Hitchhiking The Silk Road
2017 â Walking The Americas
2018 â Arabia: A Journey Through The Heart Of The Middle East
