A landmark seven-part natural history series exploring the wildlife, landscapes and deep history of the African continent
Presented by Rolex, the series will premiere on 3 October at 3pm on National Geographic, with all seven episodes also available to stream on Disney+ from the same date.
Filmed over almost four years across nearly 30 countries, Africa Earth’s Wild Home uses the latest filmmaking technology alongside cutting-edge CGI to reveal extraordinary wildlife stories and explore the forces that have shaped Africa’s natural world.
The series captures a number of species and behaviours never previously filmed for television, including the elusive black rain frog and hyenas in the Congo hunting elephants at night.
Viewers will also see rare footage of a wild African black panther, alongside chimpanzees using unique tools to fish for algae.
Spanning deserts, forests, jungles, mountains and islands, the seven-part series explores how Africa’s hugely varied environments have shaped the animals that inhabit them, telling stories of adaptation, resilience and survival.
A new global natural history project
Africa Earth’s Wild Home is the first instalment in an ambitious multi-year franchise which aims to document the planet continent by continent at a time of rapid environmental change.
The project brings together National Geographic’s natural history filmmaking, the National Geographic Society’s community of scientists and Explorers, and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative.
Each episode will conclude with an Explorer Spotlight, introducing viewers to some of the scientists, photographers and National Geographic Explorers behind important discoveries.
Among those featured are Rolex National Geographic Perpetual Planet Explorers Steve Boyes, Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, Matt Shirley and Ingi Agnarsson.
The series culminates in a finale focusing on the people working to protect Africa’s natural future, including conservation leaders, community initiatives, researchers and local conservation partners.
The programme builds on the long-standing partnership between National Geographic and Rolex, which spans more than 70 years. The National Geographic and Rolex Perpetual Planet Expeditions programme has supported Explorer-led science, conservation and storytelling since 2019.
Wunmi Mosaku narrates
Academy Award nominee Wunmi Mosaku, known for Sinners, Loki and Lovecraft Country, executive produces and narrates the series.
Courteney Monroe, President of National Geographic, said: “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.
“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.”
Africa Earth’s Wild Home is produced by BBC Studios Natural History Unit for National Geographic.
Africa Earth’s Wild Home premieres on 3 October at 3pm on National Geographic, with all seven episodes streaming on Disney+ from the same day.