Benedict Allen

Benedict Allen is a renowned English writer, explorer, traveller, and filmmaker, best known for his regular appearances on several TV series on the BBC. Admired for his technique of immersion among indigenous people which has allowed him to acquire survival skills for hazardous journeys, Benedict’s professional knowledge and experience are truly unmatched throughout the industry. Also the author of ten popular books, including the Faber Book of Exploration, Benedict is now a popular choice for clients looking to inspire and educate audiences at their upcoming events.

Benedict’s first solo expedition took place alongside his master’s degree in Ecology at the University of Aberdeen, where he completed the first recorded crossing of the remote NE Amazon. Facing multiple challenges along the way, including being attacked by gold miners and contracting two varieties of malaria, he focused his efforts on learning from indigenous people about the forest that almost killed him. In 1992, Benedict began recording his journeys with a hand-held camera and allowed millions of views globally to experience the real-life ups and downs of an authentic adventure.

Becoming a fan-favourite with audiences globally, Benedict has been featured in numerous BBC series to date, including Last of the Medicine Man, Travellers’ Century, Expedition Africa, and Adventures For Boys: The Lost Worlds of Rider Haggard. Alongside this, he has also published ten informative books to date, including Mad White Giant, Through Jaguar Eyes: Crossing the Amazon Basin, The Edge of Blue Heaven, Into the Abyss, amongst many others. With his expertise spanning a wide range of areas, Benedict has become a must-see speaker for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Benedict regularly discusses survival techniques in his role as a speaker, which he learnt from indigenous communities. At personally led seminars, he models his own interactions with global communities on the work of other legendary explorers, such as Laurens van der Post and naturalist Peter Matthiessen. Benedict observes the rituals and behaviour of each community he visits, and uses their existing knowledge to inform his explorations. This has given him a unique perception of the world, that he uses to enlighten audiences at events.