Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild returns this week Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild returns this week

Big fan of Wanderlust contributing editor Ben Fogle? We have good news, as the British broadcaster is set to return to screens this week.

New Lives in the Wild will return for its 20th season this Thursday 14 August, with an episode focusing on Aleks, a Norwegian model who now lives in the deserts of Botswana with the Ju’/hoansi people.

Over the course of the episode, you’ll learn about Aleks’ journey to Bostwana via Europe and the US, and her recent marriage to the owner of a nearby safari camp. Ben also learns about the history of the Ju’/hoansi people, and helps assemble bush fences to protect against desert lions.

So far, two more episodes have been announced: One on Japan, on Thursday 21 August, and one on Thailand, on Thursday 28 August.

In the Japan episode, Ben meets with fellow Brit Rupert who has moved to a traditional home in the mountains of Japan, taking on the simple life of a rice farmer.

The following week, you’ll dive into the life of Yidan who moved from China to start a farmstead in the countryside of northern Thailand four years ago.

The episode sees the pair examine her childhood experiences and how that influenced her decision to move, and sees Ben help with daily work in the rice field and constructing bamboo frames for crops. Ben also discovers that a new generation of young people are being inspired to embrace a new life in the wild in Thailand thanks to Yidan.

Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild debuted in 2013, with episodes covering destinations including the Himalayan Foothills of India, French Polynesia, Sri Lanka and Bulgaria. Ben has also hosted a spin-off series called New Lives in the Wild UK featuring locations such as Wales, Suffolk and the Scottish Hebrides.

You can watch Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild at 9pm on Channel 5.

More information: channel5.com

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