Mike Horn
Mike Horn is a South African-born explorer, author and filmmaker sharing polar journeys, jungle expeditions and practical survival lessons on YouTube.
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Latest
Mike’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus their backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
XO Éditions
XO Éditions
YouTube
YouTubeOverview
- Born
- 16 July 1966, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Work
- Explorer, author, documentary maker and television adventurer
- Breakout
- Solo journey around the equator without motorised transport, completed in 2000
- Current expedition
- What’s Left, revisiting places from his earlier journeys
Mini bio
How it started.
Born in Johannesburg, Mike moved to Switzerland in 1990. He worked as a ski instructor and rafting and canyoning guide before turning to expeditions. His 1997 South American crossing took him on foot to the Amazon’s source, then downriver by hydrospeed.
The journey that changed everything.
His solo journey around the equator brought him international recognition in 2000. He travelled without motorised transport, then wrote about the expedition in Latitude zéro. Arktos followed: a solo journey around the Arctic Circle, completed in 2004.
Passing it on.
Mike’s work expanded into books, television and films. Pangaea’s Young Explorers Programme brought young people into environmental expeditions. On YouTube, fans can follow both the journeys and the preparation behind them. What’s Left revisits places from his career to observe environmental change, with recent films bringing his daughters into the story.
Creditschronological, newest first
Films and online video
- 2026SURVIVRE dans l’AMAZONIE avec ma filleAppears with Jessica Horn in a film by Etienne Claret
- 2026J’ai disparu pendant 365 joursCo-directed with Lucas David, Annika Horn and Samuel Charasson
- 2024JE RETOURNE A L’AVENTURECo-directed with Lucas David, Annika Horn and Samuel Charasson
Books
- 2025Le Club des Aventuriers, volume 4Collaborating adventurer on the novel series
- 2005Conquérant de l’impossibleAuthor
- 2001Latitude zéroAuthor
Awards
Quotes
Life is about courage. We must head into the unknown.Mike Horn, Lamborghini’s Born Temerario feature
Speaking in April 2026 about exploration and the choices that shape a journey.
Trivia
- Before becoming an explorer, Mike worked in his uncle’s import-export business, including a successful cabbage deal.
- He studied Human Movement Sciences at Stellenbosch University.
- In 2006, he and Børge Ousland reached the North Pole during the permanent darkness of the Arctic winter.
- He joined the Laureus World Sports Academy in 2007.
Find Mike
Follow Mike’s films, field updates and next expeditions.
Are you Mike Horn?
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