Koen De Leeuw:
The Belgian Bear Grylls
ABOUT KOEN DE LEEUW
A LIFE STORY FULL
OF ADVENTURE
Koen De Leeuw (Edegem, Dec. 27, 1993) is a Belgian adventurer, expedition guide and entrepreneur with a passion for the wilderness and the unknown. For more than a decade he has been guiding people through the world's most challenging environments, from deserts to icy Acrtic plains.
His name became well known since he was expedition leader, on the television program “De expeditie: Namibië,” guiding eight famous Flemings through the unforgiving Namib Desert. His expertise and leadership made him a key figure in the program.
Ten years of expertise
in the Wilderness
Koen's adventure journey began at age 17, when he became a paracommando. Here he learned not only about physical and mental limits, but also how to conquer them. His military background was the perfect basis for his later work as a guide and motivator in nature. From navigating with map and compass to surviving with minimal resources, Koen developed an unrivaled expertise in survival techniques.ā
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Over the years, Koen has guided expeditions in some of the most extreme areas of the world: deserts (the Sahara, Atacama and Namib), rainforests (the vast Amazon and the cold rainforest of Patagonia), mountains (the Himalayas, Andes, Tiensjan and Carpathians) and Arctic regions (Lapland).
A decade of skills
Survival skills
Practical skills needed to improvise, adapt and overcome all types of terrain. From fire making with friction, to camp building and navigation.
Navigation
Reading the terrain, the maps or the gps device. He can get you from A to B in any terrain.
Adventure sports
Hiking, packrafting, horseback riding, Tourskiing, climbing, mountain biking, ...
Medical knowledge
As a certified Wilderness First Responder, safety is always guaranteed.
“The Expedition: Namibia” was a highlight of Koen's career. Under his leadership, eight famous Flemings braved 194 kilometers of sand dunes and heat, with temperatures as high as 54 degrees Celsius. Koen not only created the route, but also coached the participants physically, mentally and strategically.
“THE EXPEDITION: NAMIBIA”
TELEVISION PROGRAM:
TEAMWORK
A POWERFUL JOURNEY: TEAMWORK,
PERSISTENCE AND PERSONAL GROWTH
The series offers a raw and unfiltered look at the challenging reality of expedition life, where every step tests the limits of human endurance. It emphasizes the importance of teamwork, persistence and confidence as the key ingredients to overcoming the power of nature.
Each episode captures the highs and lows of navigating through uncharted terrain, showcasing how individuals grow and evolve through shared struggles and triumphs. With his extensive experience as a guide, Koen not only ensured the participants' safety throughout their journey but also inspired profound moments of self-discovery and personal growth.
