Neil is a zoologist and natural historian whose talks draw upon a wealth of knowledge and personal experience. Years of field-work in the African bush, and 30+ years as a researcher and university lecturer, have combined to foster a passion for wildlife and the science of evolution. After completing a degree in zoology at the University of Cape Town, his first real experience of the southern African bush-veld was when he worked as a game ranger in the private reserves that surround the Kruger National Park. He later completed his PhD at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg and continued lecturing in evolution and ecology. His field research led to spending months at a time in remote areas of Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Neil left Wits to take up a fellowship at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, followed a few years later by a post at the Natural History Museum in London. A career shift took him to the School of Engineering at Oxford University where he remained until taking up his present position as Chief Data Scientist for a prominent startup company based in London.

Neil’s talks combine personal experience with a deep understanding of the science that underpins our understanding of life and its evolution on Earth. His talks cater for a range of interests, from how to get the most out of visiting game reserves, to animal behaviour and social organisation, to tackling big questions like why biodiversity varies from place to place across the planet. He also explores the stories of the extraordinary people who changed the way we think.

New York and London obviously took Neil away from African game reserves, but he and his wife return annually on self-guided trips, and cruising offers opportunities to explore the diversity of life in many new and remote places.

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Africa Focus

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1. Species Rich
Explore the biodiversity of Africa, from the rainforests in the West, to the savannas in the East, and the remote island of Madagascar.

2. Growing up in the Wild
All babies are vulnerable. Learn about the different strategies African animals use to ensure survival of their young.

3. Young at Heart
Explore the ancient Namib desert in contrast with the surprisingly young Sahara. Discover more about the effect of climate change over millennia on African wildlife and habitats.

4. African Icons
Why are the African Big Five so special? Get a unique perspective on the history, behaviour and conservation of these magnificent animals.

5. Prides, Herds and Grumpy Old Men
Safety in numbers or best off on your own? Discover how social organisation shapes animal lives and interactions in Africa.

6. From Dawn to Dusk
An insider’s guide to getting the most out of a stay in an African game reserve.

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South America Focus

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1. Life in Technicolour
Explore the amazing mammals, birds and reptiles of South America and discover what makes them unique.

2. Dust, Wind and Rain
Learn about the origin of the world's deserts and discover the unique role played by the high-altitude Chilean deserts of the Andes.

3. Fire and Ice
Discover how the spectacular mountains, fjords and glaciers of Chile were formed and learn about the ecology of the region.

4. Under the Keel
Find out about the rich marine life in the south Pacific and Atlantic waters around South America, and learn how to spot and identify what you might see.

5. Extraordinary Voyage
Find out about the voyage of HMS Beagle around South America and how it influenced the significant but very different contributions to Science by Charles Darwin and Captain Robert FitzRoy.

6. Penguins to Pipits
Explore the amazingly varied wildlife of the Falklands and find out how the islands' isolation has led to the evolution of species found nowhere else in the world.

7. Species Rich
Why are some parts of the same continent so much more diverse than others? Explore the origins of biodiversity.

8. Happy Families
Discover who is related to who in the animal kingdom, how they’re related, and how we know they’re related.

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British Isles Focus

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1. Life in Fur
Explore the wildlife of Britain and Ireland and find out how mammals are adapted to the rich and varied habitats of these Isles.

2. Life in Feathers
Discover the bird life of the British Isles, from gardens, hedgerows and wetlands, to the teeming cliffs along the coasts.

3. Under the Keel
Find out about the rich marine life in the waters around the British Isles, and learn how to spot and identify what you might see.

4. Body Talk
Learn about the contribution that British natural historians have made to the science of animal behaviour and communication.

2009 Saga Ruby
2010 Voyages of Discovery
2011 Saga Spirit of Adventure
2014 P&O Aurora
2017 Silversea Silver Cloud
2017 Fred Olsen Boudicca
2019 Cunard Queen Victoria
2019 Fred Olsen Boudicca
2022 Regent Voyager
2024 Fred Olsen Bolette

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.