FOR PUPILS
Hello, Explorer!
I’m taking a break from exploring the furthest corners of our planet, to trek all around the UK sharing stories about The Nine Times I Nearly Died, and other times things have gone seriously wrong.
Whether that’s been while I’ve battled through steamy jungles, or walking through deserts with my camels, or struggling through blizzards with my heroic huskies in the Arctic.
There’s a book linked to the tour – full of cool pictures, lots more gripping tales, and useful survival tips!
SO, here’s a chance for you to meet face-to-face with a real-life extreme explorer, handle (under supervision!) poison arrows, boomerangs and head-hunting swords, and hear real-life tales of danger – how I was chased by the master criminal Pablo Escobar in the Amazon, survived frostbite in the worst winter in living memory, and escaped almost certain death with his camels in the Gobi desert. And more besides!
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be lost in a blizzard, or be hunted by a polar bear, or what you should do if you capsize your canoe in the Amazon having been chased by dangerous, wildcat goldminers with knives, here’s your chance!
YOU'LL GET TO HANDLE
Poison Arrows
Head-hunting Swords
Boomerangs
Real Survival kit
All artefacts handled under full supervision
TRUE ADVENTURES
01
HUNTED IN THE AMAZON
Chased by the master criminal Pablo Escobar — and by wildcat goldminers with knives while capsized in his canoe.
03
ESCAPE IN THE GOBI DESERT
Almost certain death — and an extraordinary escape — deep in the Gobi Desert with only his camels for company.
05
LOST IN THE BLIZZARD
Alone, disoriented, and racing against time — how to think clearly when everything depends on it.
02
THE WORST WINTER IN MEMORY
Surviving frostbite alone in the Arctic during conditions no living person had encountered before.
04
HUNTED BY A POLAR BEAR
What do you do when one of the planet's most powerful predators has decided you're its next meal?
06
THE AMAZON CROSSING
The first recorded crossing of the Amazon Basin at its widest — and everything that went wrong along the way.
FOR TEACHERS & PARENTS
I'd love to fit your school into my 2026 tour.
The visit is designed primarily for ages 8–14, though I can also arrange a separate talk for older students — or a rousing address for proud parents on Speech Day.
My aim is to enthuse and inform all pupils with a presentation that delivers an exhilarating window into unfamiliar worlds at the far corners of our amazing planet, while encouraging the explorer in each of us.
A key element is interaction — answering whatever questions pupils might have — but above all I want to inspire a spirit of resilience: the ability to triumph in the face of any challenge.
EVERY VISIT INCLUDES
CURRICULUM ENHANCEMENT
Geography, history, and literature — the visit connects directly to core subjects.
RESILIENCE AND WELLBEING
Real life-lessons about bouncing back from difficulty and discovering strength within yourself.
LITERACY BOOST
Linked to Benedict's accompanying book, designed to excite reading habits in young people.
LIVE Q&A
Fully interactive — pupils are encouraged to ask anything. (How do you stop a piranha biting your finger? How do you light a fire in pouring rain?)
TOUR INFORMATION
AGE GROUPS
Primarily ages 8–14.
Separate sessions available for older students and Speech Days
LOCATION
UK-wide tour.
Contact me to check availability in your area.
CURRICULUM LINKS
Geography · History · English / Literacy · PSHE & Wellbeing
DATES
The tour is initially planned for June/early July 2026 – to help you end your school year with a bang ! And then again in September onwards to help kick off a brand-new academic year.
FORMAT
Live presentation with real expedition artefacts and survival stories.
Audience Q&A
WHAT SCHOOLS SAY
Class Teacher & Head of Literacy
Lady Joanna Thornhill Primary School, UK
For many of our pupils, this was the highlight of the school year. They're STILL talking about it.
Park Lane International School
Prague
Indiana Jones right there in our school assembly! And such amazing life-lessons!
Tsen Wan Memorial College
Hong Kong
A STANDING OVATION! And well deserved. You had all the teachers on the edge of their seats, too!