BEST OF EXPLORER: Arabia, a 5,000-mile Journey into the Heart of the Middle East with Explorer Levison Wood

BEST OF EXPLORER: Arabia, a 5,000-mile Journey into the Heart of the Middle East with Explorer Levison Wood

April 23, 2026 · 40 min · Season 4 · Episode 7

About this episode

Levison Wood shares his experiences from a 5,000-mile journey through the Middle East, exploring its history and culture amidst conflict.

Levison Wood is one of the world’s most well-known explorers, TV presenters and authors. Join him for a 5,000-mile journey through the heart of the Middle East, from the front lines of Iraq and Syria through the Empty Quarter desert to Yemen, the West Bank and beyond. 13 countries in five months, his most complicated and dangerous expedition yet. Following in the footsteps of great explorers such as Lawrence of Arabia and Wilfred Thesiger, we will pass through some of the most devastated and war-torn areas on the planet, but also some of the most fascinating and historic too. We will peel back our preconceptions and discover a hidden side to the Middle East, beyond the headlines and politics. This is the real Arabia, a mosaic of the best and worst of humanity, a quest to better understand the region and, perhaps, ourselves. Highlights include: Hear how one totally random chance event changed his life and led him to become one of the world’s most famous explorers Hitchhiking to Baghdad during the Gulf war – hear the story of Levison’s first and craziest ever adventure as a young university student Follow him to the front line, as he embeds with Kurdish fighters in Iraq, liberating…

People in this episode

Guest: Levison Wood

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Iraq, Syria, Empty Quarter, Yemen, West Bank, Mesopotamian Marshes

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