We are delighted  to welcome to Hong Kong again Robin Hanbury-Tenison, perhaps the greatest explorer of his era, having led some 30 international expeditions on every continent, who has also saved more than 500 minority ethnic groups around the world through his charity, Survival International, is the author of some 20 books and holds the Society's Gold Medal. Robin Hanbury-Tenison made the first land crossing of South America at its widest point and the first river crossing of South America from north to south from the Orinoco to Buenos Aires. His many books include “A Ride Along the Great Wall”, “Fragile Eden” and “The Oxford Book of Exploration”, as well as two best-selling autobiographies.

Mr Hanbury-Tenison’s lecture is on the subject of his latest book, “Albania: Land of Eagles”. The lecture, already given to much acclaim in London, tells the story of his tour on horses of Albania, one of the most mysterious, beguiling countries in Europe. Determined to discover the Albania that lies behind so many preconceptions, Mr Hanbury-Tenison and his wife Louella crossed the country by horse, from Theth in the north to the border with Greece in the south.

In the footsteps of Byron, Edward Lear and Edith Durham, they crossed some of the most wild and arrestingly beautiful landscapes in Europe. Through soaring mountain ranges and hidden valleys they lived simply; staying in the homes of communities largely untouched by the 21st century. For decades Europe’s most closed county, ruled with an iron fist by communist dictator Enver Hoxha with Chinese funding, they planned a journey in which they might look behind the stereotypes of the country and see the dramatic beauty and unique ethnic traditions that lie beneath.

The lecture “Land of Eagles” is the story of a lyrical and dramatic journey, peppered with adventure and mishap, discovery and unexpected encounters. Adorned with the history, legends and literature of Albania and with the tales of past travellers, it is a luminous portrait of this mysterious and eccentric country, which has for too long been forgotten by Europe.

Mr Hanbury-Tenison was educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford. Generally regarded as the greatest explorer of his era, he has led over 30 expeditions. In 1957, he made his first expedition driving from London to Ceylon. Just a year later, he made the extraordinary achievement of making the first land crossing of South America at its widest point, for which he was awarded the Ness Award of the Royal Geographical Society. In the 1960s he made Saharan camel travels with Tuareg, the first river crossing of South America from north to south from the Orinoco to Buenos Aires and the Amazonas Expedition by Hovercraft, from Manaus to Trinidad. In 1969, he led the Trans-African Expedition by hovercraft from Dakar to Lake Chad to the Congo.

In 1971, Mr Hanbury-Tenison became the founding chairman of Survival International, the worldwide movement to support tribal peoples. He was Chairman until 1981, when he received an OBE for his work, and he has since been President. On Survival International's behalf he has led innumerable overseas missions assisting in the saving of remote tribes and indigenous peoples in South America, Africa, SE Asia, India, Siberia and Canada.

In 1978-79, Mr Hanbury-Tenison led the Royal Geographical Society's largest expedition ever, taking 140 scientists to the interior of Sarawak in Borneo for which he was awarded the Royal Geographical Society’s Patron’s Gold Medal in 1979. The research from this expedition, and his book, “Mulu: the Rainforest”, started the international concern for tropical rainforests. Since 1980, Mr Hanbury-Tenison has been on innumerable expeditions including walking across the Kalahari Desert with Bushmen, expeditions in Ecuador, Brazil and Venezuela, lived with the Yanomami tribe in Brazil, rode two Camargue horses across France, rode along the Great Wall of China, led a mission to investigate the arrest of Malaysian environmentalists and innumerable other expeditions.

Mr Hanbury-Tenison has been a Council Member, Vice-President and Gold Medallist of the Royal Geographical Society, an International Fellow of the Explorers Club, a Winston Churchill Memorial Fellow, is a Fellow of the Linnean Society, a Member of the Society of Authors, a winner of the Krug Award for Excellence, holds the Mungo Park Medal of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, was Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, when he organised the largest peace-time demonstration in British history, and was Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall. Mr Hanbury-Tenison is a regular contributor of articles and reviews to many magazines and newspapers and is also a frequent broadcaster both on television and radio. Mr Hanbury-Tenison is the star of 11 films made of his expeditions and is also the author of some 20 books, many of them best-sellers.

There is no pre booking required for this lecture.  Tickets are available on  the night at HK$100 for members and HK$150 for non members and guests.