Africa: Earth’s Wild Home launches next month
National Geographic will kick off a multi-year natural history franchise about Africa next month with the launch of a seven-part event series filmed over almost four years across nearly 30 countries by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit.
Narrated and executive produced by Academy Award nominee Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Africa: Earth’s Wild Home premieres on October 2 on National Geographic and will stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
Described by Nat Geo as one of the most ambitious series about Africa ever produced, the project is the result of a creative partnership between National Geographic, the National Geographic Society and Rolex.
Showcasing African wildlife and landscapes, it uses the latest technology to tell extraordinary stories from the continent and cutting-edge CGI to unearth the deep history and forces that shaped Africa’s natural worlds.
It features the elusive black rain frog, filmed for TV for the first time, and hyenas in the Congo hunting elephants at night. The series also showcases footage of a rare wild African black panther, plus chimpanzees using unique tools to fish for algae.
Spanning deserts, forests, jungles, mountains and islands, the series reveals how Africa’s wildly varied ecosystems shape the animals that live in them, driving stories of adaptation, resilience and survival.
The series will also spotlight rising African conservation leaders, community-led initiatives and groundbreaking researchers.
For BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, Simon Blakeney is the executive producer. For National Geographic, Pam Caragol is the executive producer, Janet Han Vissering is senior VP of production and development and Tom McDonald is executive VP of National Geographic content.
“Africa is home to some of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife and dramatic landscapes, and Africa: Earth’s Wild Home captures them through breathtaking, blue-chip landmark natural history storytelling,” said Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic.
“Across seven extraordinary episodes, the series reveals never-before-seen behaviours, explores the forces that shaped the continent and celebrates the remarkable ways life adapts and thrives. It also shines a light on the National Geographic Explorers, scientists and conservationists whose groundbreaking work continues to deepen our understanding of Africa and help safeguard its wild future.”