From pirates plaguing ships off the coast of Somalia, to the Tamils of Sri Lanka and the rise of militant Islam in Yemen and Sumatra, this region includes places that are extremely volatile. Yet it’s also the hub of global trade and industrial activity, since 40% of the world’s offshore oil supplies are found here.

Travelling by car, boat, train and aeroplane, Reeve visits sixteen countries, including dangerous Somalia, and stunning Mauritius, the Maldives and the Seychelles. Along the way, he encounters pirates, swims with sharks, joins Dutch Special Forces on patrol and dines in an underwater restaurant. He also inadvertently stumbles into a seedy drug den, goes spear-fishing, and meets some of the incredible wildlife like lemurs, penguins, dolphins, elephants and manta rays.

Throughout his journey, he travels with his trademark enthusiasm, humour and curiosity in a part of the world few get to see.

Indian Ocean with Simon Reeve begins on Wednesday, 5 September at 21:00 on BBC Knowledge, channel 251 on DStv.