From remote tribes to war zones, adventurer, broadcaster and filmmaker Simon Reeve has travelled to the edges of the map – and found hope in the most unlikely places.
Best known for BBC series like Pilgrimage with Simon Reeve, Places That Don’t Exist and Indian Ocean, Simon Reeve has become one of Britain’s most respected and fearless travel presenters. With his trademark blend of curiosity, compassion and no-nonsense realism, Reeve has spent over two decades reporting from some of the most beautiful and troubled corners of the planet.
“It’s a job that takes me to extraordinary places,” he says, “but it also constantly reminds me how connected we all are.”
So, where stands out from such a global portfolio?
“Madagascar is spectacular and beautiful and upsetting. It really ticks every box – there’s wildlife you won’t see anywhere else, and the people have these wonderful, bizarre traditions. Somaliland too – which technically isn’t even recognised as a country. I’ve been there several times and always found it fascinating.”
Reeve’s travels are not without drama. He’s been held at gunpoint, contracted malaria, and once found himself stranded in a desert without food or water, relying on grit and luck to make it out.
However, what keeps him going isn’t the adrenaline; it’s the human connection. “The most rewarding moments are when you’re completely out of your own world, your own culture, and somebody welcomes you with open arms,” he explains. “There’s no pretence, no awkwardness. Just that shared human warmth.”
He speaks with particular fondness for Africa, a continent he’s visited extensively. “I’ve had the privilege of visiting around 30 African countries. The people, the wildlife, the joy of sitting on the Kenyan plains having tea with Maasai women while chatting about their families – those are the moments you never forget.”
Despite a passport full of stamps and a few military-grade souvenirs – “my wife has banned me from bringing much else home – I’ve got an interesting collection of knives from soldiers around the world,” he laughs – Reeve insists it’s not about collecting trophies. “It’s about telling stories that don’t always get heard – that’s the thrill for me.”
The Londoner, 53 this year, is currently working on new projects that blend travel with urgent global issues – most notably the second series of Wilderness with Simon Reeve and the upcoming Scandinavia with Simon Reeve. In every take, he continues to shed light on the overlooked corners of the world – often with a cautious optimism that sets him apart.
“I grew up thinking the world was a big, scary place,” he says. “However, it’s not. Most people are kind. Most places are safe. The world is amazing – and it’s worth getting out there to see it.”
