Wild Africa

Infobox nature documentary
bgcolour =
show_name = Wild Africa


caption = Title card, "Savannah" episode
picture_format = 16:9 (anamorphic)
audio_format = Stereo
runtime = 50 minutes
creator = BBC Natural History Unit
developer =
producer =
executive_producer = Patrick Morris
presented =
narrated = Fergal Keane
music =
country = United Kingdom
language = English
network =
first_run = BBC Two
first_aired = 7 November
last_aired = 12 December 2001
num_episodes = 6
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/wildafrica/
imdb_id =
tv_com_id =

"Wild Africa" is a BBC nature documentary series exploring the natural history of the African continent, first transmitted in the UK on BBC2 in November 2001.

The series comprises six episodes. Each concentrates on a particular environment. The producers use aerial photography and wildlife footage to show how natural phenomena such as seasonal changes influence the patterns of life.

"Wild Africa" was co-produced by the BBC Natural History Unit and the Discovery Channel. It was produced by Patrick Morris and narrated by Fergal Keane.

The series forms part of the Natural History Unit's "Continents" strand. It was preceded by "Andes to Amazon" in 2000 and followed two years later by "Wild Down Under".

Production

"Wild Africa" typifies the style of blue-chip documentary series on which the Natural History Unit has built its reputation, with its high production values, strong visuals and dedicated musical score. To achieve this took 18 months of principal photography on 53 filming trips to 22 countries, starting in September 1999. The filmmakers were assisted by a production team of 16 and around 140 scientists and field assistants [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/wildafrica/diary.shtml Production diary] ] . The experienced camera team included Peter Scoones, Gavin Thurston, Owen Newman, Martyn Colbeck and Simon King [Wild Africa DVD notes] , all of whom have contributed to many other BBC natural history films.

The filming team travelled from the lowest point on the continent, the Danakil Depression in Ethiopia, to the highest, the summit of Kilimanjaro. Successes included rare footage of huge feeding groups of manta rays, and Walia ibex locking horns in the Simien Mountains.

Episodes

# Mountains
# Savannah
# Deserts
# Coasts
# Jungle
# Lakes and Rivers

Awards

"Wild Africa" won two awards at the 2003 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival for Best Limited Series and Best Cinematography (for the Episode 'Mountains') [ [http://www.jhfestival.org/archive/news/072103.php Jackson Hole WFF News] ]

Merchandise

A book, soundtrack CD, and DVD are all available to accompany the TV series:

* A Region 2 and 4, 2-disc DVD set was released on 18 July 2005 (BBCDVD1700) featuring all six full-length episodes along with a bonus 30 minute documentary, "Wildlife on One: The Super Herd". "Wild Africa" is one of four series which comprise the Region 1 DVD box set "BBC Atlas of the Natural World: Europe and Africa", released on 2 October 2007.

* The accompanying hardcover book, "Wild Africa" by Patrick Morris, Amanda Barrett, Andrew Murray and Marguerite Smits van Oyen, was published by BBC Books on 1 November 2001 (ISBN 0-563-53790-6).

* An original orchestral soundtrack CD, composed and conducted by Christopher Gunnings, was released by BBC Music on 19 November.

References

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/wildafrica/ BBC Wild Africa website]