In Photos: Africa Episode Guide

Find out more about each episode of Africa with this photo gallery.

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Kalahari

EPISODE 1

Sir David Attenborough takes a breathtaking journey through the Kalahari scrublands in Africa's south west corner, two extraordinary deserts sit side by side; the Kalihari and the Namib.

In the Kalahari, meerkats are outsmarted by a bird and giant insects attack flocks of birds. Black rhino (pictured) congregate at a secret location despite a reputation for being solitary and grumpy. Using specially built, highly sensitive cameras the Africa crew was able to reveal the character of the rhino literally in a new light.

The dry Namib must make do with what little fog it gets and in the world's oldest desert the creatures must go to extremes. Spiders cartwheel for escape and a giraffe fights in one of the most incredible battles ever caught on camera.
Savannah

EPISODE 2

East Africa is a land of change. From thick forests to snow-capped peaks and swamps to savannah, this unique environment supports a variety of large animals. Lizards steal flies off the backs of lions and and eagles bet everything on the arrival of ten million migratory bats.

Dinosaur-like shoebills hunt catfish through huge wetlands and a shoebill chick (pictured) is filmed in the nest for the first time. Using remote cameras so as not to disturb these vulnerable birds, the Africa crew revealed previously undocumented, and at times disturbing behaviour.
Congo

EPISODE 3

In the Congo you must stand up and fight for survival.

The Congo is the heart of Africa, and is dominated by a dense tropical rainforest. Birds harking back to the time of the dinosaurs, thundering elephants and kick-boxing frogs all ply their trade.

The honey-stealing chimpanzees (pictured) of the Congo rely on ingenuity and invention to overcome the challenges of life. Filmed for the first time, one very special chimp has found a new source of food, accessible only with the use of a specially made tool and not inconsiderable daring.
Cape

EPISODE 4

The Cape of Southern Africa is a-wash with colour. Two ocean currents sweep around the continent's tip clashing in an explosion of life.

The warm Agulhas current clashes with the cold Benguela generating moisture laden clouds that feed the desert while in the sea great white sharks feast and the incredible sardine run attracts Africa's largest animal the Bryde's whale.

A springbok (pictured) 'pronks' - an extraordinarily athletic leap into the air. The Africa crew filmed these elegant creatures seemingly dancing for joy in super slow motion following a rare rain shower.
Sahara

EPISODE 5

The Sahara of Northern Africa is the greatest desert on Earth, containing battling zebras, singing sand dunes and naked mole rats that avoid the heat by living underground.

A dung beetle (pictured) rolls a ball of camel dung left in a rare dung pile. This might be the only chance a beetle has to provide food for their young. But the hot sand and burning sun turn the dung roll into a race against time, with the odds stacked against the beetle.

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Kalahari

Savannah

Congo

Cape

Sahara