Conservationist & Anthropologist
Saba is one of the BBC’s most popular natural history presenters, and a captivating public speaker on a wide range of subjects in the fields of wildlife, anthropology, conservation, travel and filmmaking. Saba’s unusual upbringing in Africa and her astonishing wildlife adventures, often under extreme conditions, combine to make an entertaining, enlightening and informative experience for audiences from the academic to the corporate.
Saba is best known for her myriad wildlife documentaries for BBC TV including, for the Wild strand, Escape the Elephant, Running with Reindeer, The Miracle Lioness, Search for Tigers, Search for Polar Bears, and finally Unknown Africa which featured Angola, the Comoros Islands and the Central African Republic. Saba co-presents the ever-popular Big Cat Diary and has produced and presented her own films for Animal Planet’s Mutual of Omaha series, winning multiple awards for Heart of Lioness and Saba and the Rhino’s Secret. She has also reported for the BBC’s Holiday programme from exotic locations such as Brunei, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea and Antarctica. Her latest series, The Secret Life of Elephants, about her family's research and conservation work in Kenya, has just been broadcast to much acclaim.
As an engaging and knowledgeable speaker for any size of audience, Saba’s presentations focus on her wealth of experience in working with and protecting wildlife. She is an ardent conservationist, a trustee of the charity Save the Elephants in Kenya, and friend of Save the Rhino Trust in Namibia. With a strong academic background in anthropology and having been brought up amongst wild animals in the African bush, Saba’s lectures bring the resonance of Africa’s wildlife and people to the fore, and examine the key issues affecting our environment and future. She is also an outspoken campaigner for Concerned Citizens for Peace in Kenya.
Saba has lectured at the Royal Geographical Society where she is a fellow, for Fauna and Flora International, Tusk Trust, and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation. Large corporate events include Wines of South Africa and Discover the World at the Destinations Travel and Holiday Show at Earl’s Court. Saba is also a popular choice to host fundraising as well as publishing events such as the BBC Wildlife Magazine’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards at the Natural History Museum.
Reviews & testimonials:
“Ms. Douglas-Hamilton seems savvy about all creatures and demonstrates an easy rapport with elephants, indigenous tribesmen and quirky scientists alike. She is lovely, like an earthier Natascha McElhone, and her mellifluous narration aspires to Isak Dinesen.” (The New York Times)
“Saba was a complete star – she won the hearts of everyone in the room and you could have heard a pin drop during her talk. She has proved to be an invaluable ambassador for wildlife.” (Melanie Shepherd, Chief Executive, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation)
"The difference Saba's presence and contribution made to our evening was incredible, and we are very grateful and appreciative for her time." (Emma Hall, Public Relations Director, London, Seal Communications)
