Expedition Africa

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[edit] General Information

History Documentary hosted by Mark Burnett, published by History Channel in 2009 - English narration

[edit] Cover

[edit] Information

Expedition Africa We follow four elite explorers as they try to recapture one the greatest adventures in history. For 30 days, they will journey 950-miles deep into the heart of Africa as they retrace Henry Morton Stanley's search for Dr. David Livingstone. Using only a compass and basic hand-drawn maps, these modern-day explorers will attempt to conquer the most challenging and dangerous parts of Stanley's quest. Each is an expert in his or her own field. Together, they will seek to re-live this 19th century adventure by confronting similar obstacles and dangers as the great ones before them. Expedition will give viewers a glimpse into a dramatic world of personal intrigue and survival, while unfolding one of the greatest expedition stories. This is not a competition or game. It's a real life adventure. During this epic eight episode series, the Explorers will trek across the vast unforgiving landscape of Tanzania through dense swamps, rugged mountains and barren deserts, facing dehydration, disease, wild animals and more than 29 kinds of venomous snakes, only to learn that the greatest danger may actually be one another.

[edit] Lost in Africa

The Explorers meet on the island of Zanzibar at the British Consulate, where all the great African explorers passed through. They get their supplies, cross the Zanzibar Channel and begin their journey through a swamp.

[edit] The First Victim

As they approach the Uluguru Mountains for a treacherous mountain crossing, the team reconsiders how much gear they are carrying. Pasquale tries to push them ahead, but as they climb higher, the torrid African sun makes travel difficult. One member of the group collapses with a life-threatening condition, and the explorers are forced to call for emergency medical attention and make camp early. The next day, the explorers reach the oldest forest in Africa - 25 million years old - and finally approach the summit, but damp conditions make it impossible to start a cooking fire. They are forced to set out hungry the next day, when they must face the crossing of sheer cliffs hundreds of feet tall.

[edit] Hunters become the Hunted

This is real Africa. The team have to cross the hot, dry plains. The dangers of lions and hyenas are very real. They also participate in a traditional Maasai blood drinking ritual.

[edit] African Monsoon

From the blistering heat of the Mkata Plains to the torrential rains of the Sagara Mountains, the Explorers are pounded by the rain and have a tough time finding their way through the mountains. More...
From the blistering heat of the Mkata Plains to the torrential rains of the Sagara Mountains, the Explorers are pounded by the rain and have a tough time finding their way through the mountains. The dangers of this trek open old wounds for Pasquale as he tells what it's like to bring the body of a dead comrade down the side of a mountain.

[edit] Danger in the Desert

The Explorers have their greatest trek in terms of distance, across a plain of cracked earth that is like Death Valley. Here the division between Pasquale's style of leadership and Benedict's splits wide open. Pasquale is more like Stanley, who just wants to get there, whereas Benedict is more like Livingstone and wants to stop to smell the flora and fauna along the way.

[edit] Malaria Claims an Explorer

For the Explorers, Tabora is a historical highlight - the last place to resupply. Like Stanley, they plan to stop, resupply and celebrate being two thirds of the way done with their journey. Visiting the Livingstone House, Benedict falls to malaria. The expedition comes to a halt as the Explorers decide whether or not to push on without Benedict, or take their chances and bring him along. They choose the latter and forge onward to the Ugalla River area, where they pause the expedition to let Benedict recoup some more. Once again, the animal dangers are real; large numbers of hippos live in the river they are camped near. The Explorers are tired from their journey and their emotions are raw.

[edit] Heart of Darkness

The Explorers push onward from the Ugalla River to the Malagarasi, where Stanley had lost his favourite donkey. Benendict tries to hide from the others that he's still not feeling well, but the others notice he's not healthy, casting concern that Benedict might not make it to the end.

[edit] The Final Chapter

The final push to Ujiji, where Stanley met Dr. Livingstone ... and said the immortal line "Dr. Livingstone, I presume. However, it is not without peril. The Explorers battle through water on Lake Tnaganyika, and their boats are separated: Pasquale and Mireya in one boat; Benedict and Kevin in another. After hours of separation, they reunite on the shores of the lake to spend the night. Their final day and their final push finds them in a swamp that truly tests them. In the end, they walk four abreast down the mango-lined road where Stanley once walked to greet Dr. Livingstone. The entire village turns out to greet the Explorers.