I’ve been speaking since I was roughly 11 months old. My speech has become slightly more sophisticated in the intervening years.
Born wild, raised otherwise
A funny, gripping and deeply human keynote about our species' lost connection with the natural world — and the profound need to reclaim it.
Drawing on two decades as a safari guide, wilderness broadcaster and storyteller, I take audiences on an extraordinary journey through Africa's wild places, from close encounters with buffalo and charging leopards to moments of quiet wonder among vultures, birds and ancient mountains. Along the way, absurd guest encounters, hard-won field lessons and deeply personal stories of friendship and loss reveal something larger: wilderness is not separate from us, but part of who we are.
Blending humour, adventure and reflection, this is far more than a talk about nature. It is about fear and belonging, disconnection and reconnection, and what the wild can teach modern humans about perspective, humility and being fully alive.
This is a story of wild places — but ultimately, it is a story about us.
Testimonials
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I am delighted to extend this letter of appreciation following your keynote address,
“Born Wild, Raised Otherwise,” delivered at the OM Bank Limited Risk Strategy Session on 3 June 2026. The session brought together our senior Risk Leadership team, and your talk was, without question, a memorable and impactful contribution to the day.
Drawing on two decades of experience as a safari guide, wilderness broadcaster and storyteller, you took our leaders on a remarkable journey through Africa’s wild places— weaving together humour, adventure and deeply personal reflection with a rare authenticity. From gripping encounters in the bush to moments of quiet wonder, you held the room completely throughout.
What made your talk so resonant for our team was not simply the storytelling —extraordinary as it was — but the larger truth it illuminated: that perspective, humility and genuine connection are as essential in the boardroom as they are in the wild. For a group of senior risk professionals, the themes of fear, belonging and what it means to be fully present could not have been more relevant.
The team left the session energised, reflective and, frankly, a little more human. Your talk delivered everything it promised — and more. We would recommend you without reservation to any organisation seeking a keynote speaker who can inform, challenge and genuinely move an audience.
Thank you, James, for sharing your world with ours. We wish you continued success with WildEarth and with the important work of reconnecting people with the natural World.
-Lushendren Pather
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Stories are for everyone. Upon hearing four simple words, "Once upon a time......", audiences immediately sit up and pay attention. James has a remarkable ability to captivate audiences beyond generic storytelling tools and characteristics. Through a combination of his honest, authentic, and heartfelt approach to sharing stories enriched by a plethora of fascinating personal experiences masterfully weaved together within core themes and presented in ways immediately relevant to even diverse groups of recipients, James transcends audiences into powerful states that unite them beyond any potential division. James' stories and storytelling abilities enable one to believe in and focus on all that is good in the world, despite often experiencing a sense of overwhelm by what is not.
Dave Patricios - Chairman OJ Association.
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"James Hendry….guest speaker at the National Orthopaedic Education Society (NOES) final dinner was 40 minutes of enthralling, humorous storytelling of the African bush with which his soul is intimately linked...making us all feel the urge to go back to our roots of living in the wild. What a great message you left us with James."
— Prof. Ponky Firer
For Whom?
Individuals and groups who feel a yen for wilderness or the loss of wild.
Corporate groups (motivation without twee ‘business messages’)
Highschool (career guidance, motivation).
Lunch clubs, book clubs, think clubs,
Bookings/ Costs
Send me a mail on info@jameshendry.co.za and we can discuss dates, formats and the sordid topic of coin.
Where have I spoken?
I’ve spoken to various school groups, literary festivals, bookclubs, lunch clubs and societies including, OM Bank, YPO, NOES, the Franschoek Literary Festival, St John’s College, Hilton College, Westville Girls College, various Writer’s Write events and the Johannesburg Country Club.