Freek Vonk
Biologist, scientist, and adventurer
Driven by an insatiable curiosity for animals and nature, adventurer, presenter, and biologist Freek Vonk takes both children and adults on thrilling journeys. His mission is to raise awareness of the beauty of nature and the fragility of our planet. With courage and determination, he travels the world in search of the most breathtaking places and extraordinary stories.
Freek graduated from Leiden University and specializes in the evolutionary biology of reptiles. For years, Freek has been producing various television programs, in which he searches for some of the world’s most extraordinary animals. In addition, Freek publishes his own monthly magazine, “Wild van Freek,” writes columns for publications such as the Holland Herald, has published dozens of books, hosts major live shows under the banner Freek Vonk Live, serves as Chief Scout of Scouting Netherlands, is a helicopter pilot, and, through his foundation “No Wildlife Crime,” is dedicated to the fight against poaching.
Freek on TV
Who didn’t grow up with him? 'Freeks Wilde Wereld' has been one of the most-watched children’s television programs on Zapp for years.
In 2012, Freek Vonk was asked by the Dutch Public Broadcasting Service (NPO) to develop a new television program. This led to *Freek op Safari* (VPRO, NPO Zapp), an educational children’s program in which he takes young viewers on a journey into the world of animals and nature. Its success laid the foundation for a series of follow-up programs, including Freek in the Wild (2012–2013) and, starting in 2014, the long-running Freek’s Wild World, in which he travels the globe in search of animals in their natural habitats, shedding light on their behavior, adaptations, and habitats. In November 2025, the fourteenth season of this series was broadcast.
In addition to his children’s programs, Vonk also produces nature documentaries for a wider audience. These include *Freek Vonk in Australia* (2014) and *Freek Vonk in Latin America* (2015), in which he embarks on expeditions through diverse ecosystems. In Freek Against Poachers (2015), he focuses on the fight against illegal hunting, and in Freek Goes to the Sharks (2017), he explores the global threats to sharks and the importance of protecting the ocean.
In addition to these series, Vonk regularly appears in studio shows. In 2016, he hosted *De Super Freek Show*, a family program focused on animal facts. This was followed by *Freek’s Saturday Night Safari* (2023), which combines nature, entertainment, and quiz elements for a broad audience. In Freek’s Jungle School (2020–2026), he teaches about animals and nature from his treehouse; the fifth season aired in 2026
Even outside his own shows, Vonk plays a prominent role on television. He was a regular expert on the program *De Wereld Draait Door* and has delivered several successful lectures as part of DWDD University. In December 2014, his first lecture—on poison in the animal kingdom—drew approximately 1.5 million viewers. Lectures on evolution and super senses followed in 2016 and 2017.
In 2025, *The Freek Tapes* will be released—a children’s series based on his own childhood, centered on his fascination with animals and science.
Freeks Wilde Wereld
For his most well-known program 'Freeks Wilde Wereld', Freek has been traveling the globe for over fifteen years in search of the world’s most extraordinary animals. He travels with huskies through Norway, receives an unexpected visit from a tapir in Suriname, camps at high altitude with Andean bears in Peru, and gets groomed by a friendly family of chacma baboons. He also shares survival tips for navigating the most remote, rugged, and inhospitable places on Earth.
Winner Gouden Stuiver, 2015. Winner of the Zapp Award for Best Zapp Program, 2018. Winner of the Zapp Award for Favorite Youth Star, 2024.
Golden Televizier-Ring Gala in October 2015 the Golden Penny: an audience award for the best children's program of the year. Freeks Wilde Wereld also won a Zapp Award for best Zapp program in 2018.
Freeks Jungle School
In 'Freeks Jungle School', Freek Vonk teaches about his favorite animals. The coolest creatures he’s encountered during his thrilling adventures take center stage — like sloths, grizzly bears, lemurs, and the black mamba. From his jungle hut, Freek shares everything you never knew about these animals, taking a closer look at the biggest, cutest, and most dangerous species.
Freeks Saturday Night Safari
In his show 'Freeks Saturday Night Safari', Freek takes you on a journey from the studio to the most beautiful and extraordinary places on Earth. Alongside fascinating lectures, breathtaking footage, and thought-provoking questions about nature, two teams of Dutch celebrities compete for the Golden Johan. Each episode highlights a different remarkable location somewhere in the world.
De Super Freek Show
Think you know everything about nature? Put it to the test in 'De Super Freek Show'! Freek Vonk and Evi Hanssen challenge a nature-loving family or group of friends to face off against a team of Dutch celebrities in a wild animal knowledge quiz.
Freek naar de haaien
In the two-part series 'Freek naar de Haaien', Freek takes us deep into the fascinating world of these ocean kings. It also features the first footage of the shark bite that left him seriously injured. Sharks are magnificent — but why are we so afraid of them?
Freek also investigates the shark fin trade, following its trail from the bloody battlefields at sea in Malaysia to the illegal markets in Hong Kong.
Freek tegen de Stropers
For the BNN program ' Freek tegen de Stropers', Freek travels to South Africa. In this four-part documentary series, he shines a light on the illegal hunting of rhinos. Freek joins a patrol team that tracks down poachers — often risking their lives in the process. He reveals the severity of the threat facing rhinos and the measures being taken to prevent the extinction of these majestic animals.
Freek Vonk in Latijns-Amerika
Biologist Freek Vonk embarks on an off-road journey through the wild landscapes of Latin America. From the extraordinary Galápagos Islands, through the jungles of Costa Rica, across the peaks of the Andes in Ecuador, through the rainforests of the Amazon, to the vast wetlands of the Pantanal in Brazil.
Freek Vonk in Australië
Freek sets off on an expedition across the most remote continent: Australia. Worldwide, only about 15 percent of snakes are venomous — but in Australia, it's more than half. He also encounters venomous frogs, jellyfish, fish, and sea snakes.
Freek in het Wild
'Freek in het Wild' is a nature and adventure series set in the wilderness of South Africa, Zambia, and the rainforests of Suriname. Also, Freek ventures through the mangroves of Costa Rica and searches for crocodiles, frogs, and snakes.
Freek op Safari
Freek guides you through the wilderness and shares survival tips. What happens when an adventurous, hyperactive venom expert sets up camp in the African wild? The ultimate survival guide for kids who get lost in the wilderness — if only in their imagination.
De Freek Tapes
Back to where it all began
In the VPRO series 'De Freek Tapes', Freek discovers a mysterious box of old videotapes in the attic. His curiosity quickly takes over, and before he knows it, he’s glued to an old TV screen. What does he see? The very first nature films he made as a young Freek, together with his friends Maysem and Bas.
This adventurous series — from the creators of 'De regels van Floor' — takes you back to the 1990s, when young Freek saw every animal as a wonder of nature. From tigers to herons, he studies their behavior, features, and habitats with the same passion we know from him today. Together with his friends, he not only explores the animal kingdom but also learns more about himself.
Freek and the VU
Prof. Dr. Freek Vonk, professor at VU University Amsterdam.
As of February 1, 2020, the Executive Board of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam has appointed biologist Freek Vonk as Endowed Professor of Evolutionary Biochemistry. This special chair, made possible by Naturalis Biodiversity Center, focuses on the potential of natural toxins in the development of new medicines and a new generation of antivenoms.<br>The position is part of the Department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences (S&F) within the Faculty of Science.
Freek and Naturalis
Freek is also connected to Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden.
Since 2012, Freek has been a researcher and public ambassador at Naturals Biodiversity Center. That same year, he received the prestigious Eureka Prize from the Dutch Research Council (NWO) and the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) for his outstanding ability to share scientific research with a broad audience.
In 2016, he brought the tyrannosaurus Trix to Naturalis for the 'T. rex in Town' exhibition. A year later, he launched his own exhibition, Poison!.
Since 2019, after the museum’s reopening, visitors can take a tour of Freek’s favorite exhibits.
Chief Scout
Freek Vonk is the Chief Scout of Scouting Nederland
Scouting stands for adventure in nature, where children and young people develop leadership skills and gain self-confidence. In doing so, Scouting plays an active role in youth development across the Netherlands. As Chief Scout, Freek Vonk is uniquely able to inspire others to explore nature and push their boundaries. The Chief Scout is the face of Scouting Nederland — the lead ambassador who encourages both scouts and non-scouts alike to take on exciting challenges and experience the adventure.
Wild van Freek
Join Freek on an adventure
For 10 years now, Freek has been publishing his own magazine, “Wild van Freek,” a monthly publication for all boys and girls who love wild animals and Freek Vonk. In the magazine, the Netherlands’ most famous biologist takes children on an adventure. They hitch a ride in his backpack to inaccessible places and come face to face with the wild animals he encounters during his travels. The magazine offers a unique glimpse into Freek’s life. In addition, the magazine is full of adventures, cool facts, funny comics, puzzles, quizzes, jokes, and much more!