How Animals and Humans Coexist in the Desert
In How Animals and Humans Coexist in the Desert, host Simon Reeve explores the Kalahari Desert with Don, a member of the San people. The Kalahari is a semi-desert and one of the largest sand basins on Earth, stretching across Africa. Despite its tough environment, animals like elephants, lions and jackals thrive here, thanks to seasonal rains that bring food. The San have lived here for thousands of years and are known for their incredible survival and tracking skills, and deep knowledge of the land. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
Lesson Express
Q: How does the presence of both wildlife and humans in the Kalahari Desert contribute to the uniqueness of the region?
A: The Kalahari Desert is unique because it is home to a variety of wildlife, like elephants and jackals, and the San people who have lived there for thousands of years. This combination of animals and people, with their deep connection to the land, makes the Kalahari an extraordinary place.
Q: How do the seasonal rains in the Kalahari Desert affect the wildlife in the region?
A: The seasonal rains provide the necessary water and food sources for animals to thrive in the otherwise dry, semi-desert environment. These rains allow plants to grow, which in turn sustain the animals that live in the Kalahari.
Q: In what ways do the San people’s survival skills shape the Kalahari Desert, and why is this important for the ecosystem?
A: The San people’s skills in tracking and hunting have helped maintain balance in the ecosystem. Their deep knowledge of the land and wildlife ensures they harvest resources sustainably, which supports both the environment and their way of life.
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In Hunting and Camping in the Kalahari, host Simon Reeve camps with the San people in the Kalahari, learning their survival skills. As night falls, he tries his hand at making fire with sticks, a skill the San men have mastered. Around the campfire, one man explains how coffee helps him stay alert to listen for predators like lions, sharing a gripping story of waking up to a pride nearby. He reflects on the courage it takes to hunt, reminding Simon that providing for family is worth the risks. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In How the San Track the Wildebeest, host Simon Reeve joins tracker Twee and the hunters as they track and hunt for food. Using bows with poisoned darts, they rely on stealth, silence, and avoiding strong smells that could alert animals. After shooting a wildebeest, the group follows its tracks, showing their deep connection to the land and their expert ability to read the environment in ways most people can’t. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In The San People’s New World, host Simon Reeve explores the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana, a land filled with wildlife and history. He learns about the San people, who lived there for thousands of years but were forced to relocate to settlements with promises of a better life. Many San feel betrayed, believing they were pushed out for diamonds and wildlife conservation, leaving their ancestral home behind. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Can People and Wildlife Coexist? host Simon Reeve sits with Tatah, who shares his experiences living alongside elephants, including the potential dangers when they are startled or protecting their young. Despite witnessing tragic elephant encounters, he emphasizes the importance of coexistence, as people and wildlife must share the same space here. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Hunting and Camping in the Kalahari, host Simon Reeve camps with the San people in the Kalahari, learning their survival skills. As night falls, he tries his hand at making fire with sticks, a skill the San men have mastered. Around the campfire, one man explains how coffee helps him stay alert to listen for predators like lions, sharing a gripping story of waking up to a pride nearby. He reflects on the courage it takes to hunt, reminding Simon that providing for family is worth the risks. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In How the San Track the Wildebeest, host Simon Reeve joins tracker Twee and the hunters as they track and hunt for food. Using bows with poisoned darts, they rely on stealth, silence, and avoiding strong smells that could alert animals. After shooting a wildebeest, the group follows its tracks, showing their deep connection to the land and their expert ability to read the environment in ways most people can’t. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In The San People’s New World, host Simon Reeve explores the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) in Botswana, a land filled with wildlife and history. He learns about the San people, who lived there for thousands of years but were forced to relocate to settlements with promises of a better life. Many San feel betrayed, believing they were pushed out for diamonds and wildlife conservation, leaving their ancestral home behind. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.
In Can People and Wildlife Coexist? host Simon Reeve sits with Tatah, who shares his experiences living alongside elephants, including the potential dangers when they are startled or protecting their young. Despite witnessing tragic elephant encounters, he emphasizes the importance of coexistence, as people and wildlife must share the same space here. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Wilderness With Simon Reeve, an epic adventure into the heart of Earth’s last great wild areas, where nature is at its most beautiful and fragile.