Man vs. Wild (2006–2020): Season 2, Episode 8 - Zambia - full transcript

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I'M BEAR GRYLLS,

AND I'M GONNA SHOW YOU WHAT IT
TAKES TO GET OUT ALIVE

FROM SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS
PLACES ON EARTH.

WHOO!

I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT THROUGH
A WEEK OF CHALLENGES

IN THE SORT OF PLACES
YOU WOULDN'T LAST A DAY

WITHOUT THE RIGHT
SURVIVAL SKILLS.

I'M TRAVELING THROUGH ZAMBIA
IN SOUTHERN AFRICA,

FOLLOWING THE ZAMBEZI RIVER,
SWOLLEN BY FLASH FLOODS

AND HOME TO SOME OF THE WORLD'S
BIGGEST RAPIDS.

I'LL BE FACE TO FACE
WITH SOME OF THE BIGGEST



AND MOST DANGEROUS ANIMALS
IN THE WORLD.

EATING WHATEVER I CAN FIND...

AND PAYING THE PRICE FOR IT.

I FEEL LIKE TERRIBLE.

I'M IN ZAMBIA, FOLLOWING
THE MIGHTY ZAMBEZI RIVER.

AT 2,200 MILES,

IT'S THE FOURTH-LONGEST
IN AFRICA.

MY CHALLENGE IS TO GET OUT
OF THE RIVER

AND THEN HEAD INTO THE BUSH.

I'VE GOT SOME BASIC
SURVIVAL TOOLS,

AND MY CAMERA CREW
IS COMING WITH ME.

IT'S GONNA BE A TOUGH ONE.

IT'S THE WET SEASON,

WHEN AS MUCH AS 12 INCHES
OF RAIN CAN FALL IN A MONTH.



MAJOR FLOODING HAS ALREADY
CLAIMED THE LIVES OF 60 PEOPLE,

AND THIS RIVER
IS AT BURSTING POINT.

THE RAINY SEASON THIS YEAR IN
ZAMBIA HAS SEEN RECORD RAINFALL,

AND THE COUNTRY NOW
IS AT ITS MOST DANGEROUS.

ROADS AND TRACKS
HAVE BEEN WASHED AWAY,

COMMUNICATIONS HAVE GONE DOWN,

AND PLANES STRUGGLE TO LAND
AS RUNWAYS TURN TO QUICKSAND.

IF YOU GET IN TROUBLE HERE,

GETTING OUT
IS GONNA BE A NIGHTMARE.

I'M FLYING
ALONG THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

TOWARDS THE WATERFALL
CALLED THE MOSI-OA-TUNYA,

WHICH MEANS
"SMOKE THAT THUNDERS."

IT'S BETTER KNOWN
AS THE VICTORIA FALLS.

WHOO-HOO!

IT'S OVER A MILE WIDE
AND 300 FOOT HIGH --

THE BIGGEST SINGLE WATERFALL
IN THE WORLD.

BENEATH ME,
85,000 CUBIC FEET OF WATER

IS ROARING OVER THE FALLS
EVERY SECOND.

HANGING OUT IN THE SPRAY
IS QUITE A RIDE.

BELOW THE WATERFALL
IS THE BATOKA GORGE.

THE 400-FOOT WALLS
OF BASALT ROCK

FORCE A MILE-WIDE RIVER

INTO A GAP NO WIDER
THAN A FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY.

THE POWER OF THE WATER HERE
IS INCREDIBLE.

THESE RAPIDS ARE KILLERS,

AND PEOPLE DIE IN THEM
EVERY YEAR.

THEY'RE DANGEROUS ENOUGH
ON A RAFT,

BUT ALL I'VE GOT FOR PROTECTION
IS THIS.

I'M HOVERING 25 FOOT
ABOVE THE WATER.

I'M ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE
THE AWESOME POWER

OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S
GREAT RIVERS

WITH JUST MY BODYBOARD.

WHAT I'M AIMING FOR
IS THE TONGUE OF THE RAPID,

RIGHT DOWN THE CENTER.

I'M GONNA SHOW YOU HOW TO
MAKE IT OUT OF THIS ALIVE.

HERE IT IS!

I'M DUCKING UNDER THE WAVE
AS IT HITS ME

SO I DON'T GET BATTERED.

THIS IS THE TOUGHEST WATER
I'VE EVER BEEN IN.

SOME OF THE WAVES COULD BE
10 FOOT HIGH,

AND THEY'RE POUNDING ME
FROM EVERY ANGLE.

I FEEL LIKE I'M BEING PULLED IN
A DOZEN DIRECTIONS ALL AT ONCE.

THE WATERS HAMMER INTO
TWO FAULT LINES,

PROPELLING ME
ALMOST 20 MILES AN HOUR.

YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT'S COMING,

AND IT'S LIKE BEING BLASTED
BY FIRE HOSES.

AND WHEN THE RIVER
SPITS YOU OUT,

YOU'VE ONLY GOT SECONDS
TO RECOVER.

I'M IN BETWEEN NOW.

YOU'VE JUST GOT TO FIGHT
TO GET YOUR BREATH BACK.

IT'S ALL ABOUT CONTROLLING
THAT SENSE OF PANIC,

KEEPING CALM,

AND CHOOSING YOUR MOMENT
TO TAKE A BREATH.

TIME THAT WRONG, THOUGH,
AND YOU CAN DROWN.

I NEED TO GET ASHORE

BEFORE THE NEXT SET OF RAPIDS
PULLS ME FURTHER DOWNSTREAM.

I WANT TO BE HEADING FOR --

HEADING FOR THE BANK UP HERE.

AND GET OUT OF THESE.

I'M FAIRY-GLIDING, WHICH MEANS
WORKING MY WAY OUT DIAGONALLY

AND NOT FIGHTING THE CURRENT.

[ EXHALES DEEPLY ]

[ Breathing heavily ] KIND OF
JUST DON'T REALIZE HOW...

BIG THOSE MONSTERS ARE

UNTIL YOU'RE RIGHT IN THEM.

INTIMIDATING PLACE TO BE.

YOU GOT A LOT OF POWER
COMING DOWN THAT RIVER.

ANYWAY, I'M IN ONE PIECE,
AND I'M ASHORE.

IT CAN BE ALMOST 100 DEGREES
OUT HERE,

BUT THE HUMIDITY MAKES IT FEEL
20 DEGREES HOTTER.

IN TEMPERATURES LIKE THIS,

THE AIR IS LADEN
WITH WATER VAPOR,

AND IT'S DRAINING.

SCOUR THE RIVERBANK
FOR DEBRIS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU.

OH, BUT A FLIP-FLOP
COULD BE USEFUL.

LOADS OF THINGS YOU CAN WITH
THAT -- START A FIRE WITH IT.

IF YOU BURN IT, THERE'LL BE
BLACK SMOKE -- GOOD SIGNAL FIRE.

A BIT OF FLOAT FISHING.
KEEP THAT.

BUT NOW I WANT TO GET AWAY FROM
THIS RIVER AS FAST AS I CAN.

REALLY, YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL
OF CROCS IN THIS RIVER,

JUST 'CAUSE BABY CROCS
HAVE BEEN KNOWN

TO GET SWEPT OVER THE FALLS,
SURVIVE,

AND THEN, LIKE,
GROW INTO MONSTERS

IN POOLS JUST LIKE THIS.

THERE'S A HUGE POPULATION
OF CROCODILES IN ZAMBIA --

MORE THAN 75,000 OF THEM.

DON'T DRINK FROM THE SAME
RIVER SPOT TWICE.

CROCS WATCH YOU THE FIRST TIME
AND GET YOU THE NEXT.

AND NEVER CAMP
NEAR THE WATER'S EDGE.

THE ONLY WAY OUT OF HERE IS UP,
BUT THE RAINY SEASON MEANS

THIS VOLCANIC ROCK
WILL BE AS SLIPPERY AS ICE.

BUT FIRST, I'VE GOT TO GET
THROUGH THIS DENSE VEGETATION.

BUSHES OF CAMEL AND
BUFFALO THORN TEAR INTO YOU.

THIS STUFF'S HORRIBLE.

IT'S ALL REALLY SHARP, AS WELL.

IT'S LIKE BEING TANGLED IN,
LIKE, RAZOR WIRE.

AAH!

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

LOOK, THIS IS THE SORT OF STUFF
I'M CLUTCHING AT.

THAT'S WHY IT'S PROVING TRICKY.

EVERYTHING IS SO LOOSE.

I'M BETTER OFF RISKING
THE ROCKS TO GET OUT OF HERE,

BUT IT'S GONNA BE DANGEROUS.

THESE ARE SOAKING WET.

THIS STUFF'S FINE
AS LONG AS YOU STICK ON THE DRY.

IF YOU START TRYING
TO CLIMB ON THAT,

YOU'RE JUST GONNA GO.

THERE'S A LINE
OF DRY STUFF HERE.

I'M PICKING MY ROUTE AS I GO.

IT'S CALLED WIRING MY WAY UP.

OKAY, AT LEAST WE CAN SEE NOW
WHERE WE'RE GOING.

JUST ALL OF THIS ROCK'S
LOOKING PRETTY WET,

AND THAT MEANS SLIPPY.

BUT WE'RE KIND OF COMMITTED NOW.

TRY TO FIND A ROUTE UP HERE.

I'M ALREADY A COUPLE OF HUNDRED
FEET ABOVE THE RIVER.

ONE SLIP CAN BE FATAL.

AND THIS IS REALLY
THE CRUX OF IT.

IF I GET UP TO THIS,
THERE'S A TREE AHEAD,

AND I'M OFF THIS WET SLAB.

[ GRUNTING ]

THIS COULD GET ME
OUT OF TROUBLE.

ALL OF THIS ROCK HERE, ALL
THE WAY UP, IS REALLY SLIMY.

I CAN USE THE TREE...

JUST TO KEEP OFF THE ROCK.

I'VE JUST GOT TO HOPE THIS TREE
WILL TAKE MY WEIGHT.

[ CRACKING ]

FALL OUT OF A TREE,

LAND STRAIGHT ON A CACTUS
ON A PRECIPICE.

THE PLACES I GET MYSELF INTO.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY, GRUNTING ]

THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
THAN I NORMALLY LIKE DOWN THERE.

BUT UNLESS THIS IS
A FALSE HORIZON,

IT'S THE TOP OF THE GORGE.

WHEW!

I'M IN THE BUSH IN ZAMBIA
IN THE HEART OF AFRICA.

A HOT, STEAMING
1,500 SQUARE MILES,

AND THE FIRST THING
THAT HITS YOU IS THE HUMIDITY.

AND I'M JUST POURING SWEAT NOW.

AND IT'S A RAINY SEASON HERE.

EVERYTHING IS SO GREEN
AND LUSH AND DAMP.

AND THAT DAMPNESS
MIXED WITH THIS HEAT

MEANS IT FEELS LIKE
YOU'RE JUST BEING STEAMED.

YOU CAN SWEAT
UP TO 12 LITERS A DAY,

AND YOU'RE PRONE TO CRAMPS,
EXHAUSTION,

AND, WORST OF ALL, HEATSTROKE.

YOUR BODY'S
INTERNAL THERMOMETER

SPIRALS OUT OF CONTROL,
AND YOU COULD COLLAPSE.

OUT HERE ALONE,
THAT IS A DEATH SENTENCE,

SO TRY TO STAY IN THE SHADE,
AND ABOVE ALL, KEEP HYDRATED.

THIS THICK VEGETATION
IS JUST SO DISORIENTATING.

SOMETIMES WHEN YOU ARRIVE
SOMEWHERE NEW,

THE BEST THING YOU CAN ACTUALLY
DO IS JUST SLOW THINGS DOWN

AND GIVE YOUR SENSES TIME
JUST TO TUNE IN,

ESPECIALLY SOMEWHERE
LIKE THE AFRICAN BUSH

WHERE THERE'S SO MUCH
ANIMAL LIFE.

AND THEY SAY WHEN THERE'S LOTS
OF NOISE, THAT'S A GOOD SIGN,

'CAUSE WHEN THE BUSH
GOES REALLY QUIET,

THAT'S A SIGN
THERE'S PREDATORS AROUND.

TO SURVIVE HERE, YOU'VE GOT TO
USE NATURE TO HELP YOU.

SEE THAT?
SEE THE BABOON?

[ CHATTERING ]

THEY'RE KIND OF JUST ENJOYING
THESE TREES.

THEY CAN BE A GOOD EARLY WARNING
SYSTEM OF OTHER PREDATORS.

IF THERE'S A LEOPARD
OR SOMETHING AROUND HERE,

THESE GUYS ARE GONNA GO CRAZY.

THIS IS THE PERFECT COVER
FOR LEOPARDS AND LIONS.

IF YOU'RE SLEEPING OUT
AND WANT TO BE SAFE,

IT'S AN OLD AFRICAN TRICK
TO STAY BY BABOONS.

IN THE RAINY SEASON,

THERE IS FOOD ABOUT
IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK.

DEAD ACACIA TREE.

WHAT THE LOCALS WILL ALWAYS DO
WITH THIS --

THEY COME UP,
PUT THEIR EAR TO IT,

AND LISTEN FOR LARVAE INSIDE.

HERE YOU GO.
THAT'S WHAT I MEAN.

THAT'S A RHINO BEETLE LARVA
THERE.

YOU CAN JUST EAT THEM --
EAT THEM RAW.

WHEN THEY'RE COOKED,
THEY'RE A BUSH DELICACY,

AND AT THIS TIME OF YEAR,
THERE'S PLENTY OF THEM HERE.

NO WONDER THEY FRY THEM.

UGH!

READY FOR THIS?

[ GRUNTS ]

OH, MY GOODNESS!

THIS ONE
HAS BEEN LIVING IN THERE

A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.

I'M NOT GONNA NEED TO EAT
FOR A WEEK AFTER THIS ONE.

UGH!

POUND FOR POUND,
INSECTS LIKE THESE

CONTAIN MORE PROTEIN
THAN BEEF OR FISH.

THEY'RE PERFECT SURVIVAL FOOD.

UGH!

THIS ACTUALLY RANKS

AS ONE OF THE WORST THINGS
I HAVE EVER, EVER EATEN.

THAT TASTE...

IT'S LIKE IF ALL YOUR FRIENDS
GOT ALL THEIR BOGIES TOGETHER,

SQUEEZED THEM
INSIDE A SAUSAGE...

AND THEN YOU PUT THAT
IN YOUR MOUTH. MAN.

THE ZAMBIAN BUSH IS HOME

TO SOME OF THE MOST LETHAL
KILLING MACHINES IN THE WORLD,

SO BE VIGILANT.

WATCH OUT, WATCH OUT!

NOW, THIS LOOKS QUITE LIKE
A HYENA MOVING THAT WAY.

SEE THESE --
LIKE THE PADS OF ITS PAWS.

NOW, THAT, THOUGH --
THAT IS NOT HYENA.

SEE THESE THREE?

THAT IS LEOPARD.

THEY'LL ACTUALLY RETRACT
THEIR CLAWS AS THEY MOVE,

SO YOU JUST SEE THE PADS.

BUT THIS IS MOVING THAT WAY.

LET'S KEEP FOLLOWING THIS.

LEOPARDS USUALLY KILL
EVERY FOUR DAYS.

THEY'LL TAKE ANYTHING --

FROM DUNG BEETLES
TO ANTELOPE --

AND THEY'VE BEEN KNOWN
TO ATTACK HUMANS.

BUT THESE TRACKS
MIGHT LEAD ME TO FOOD.

THERE WE GO.

IT'S AN IMPALA.

GOD, LISTEN TO THE FLIES
ON THAT.

[ FLIES BUZZING ]

I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE YOU

IT'S WHAT THAT LEOPARD...
HAS DONE.

AND, YOU KNOW,
IF THIS WAS A LION OR HYENA,

THEY WOULD HAVE TAKEN
ALL OF THIS --

BONES AND EVERYTHING.

YOU KNOW, BUT I'M SURPRISED
HE'S OUT IN THE OPEN.

YOU KNOW,
YOU KIND OF WOULD OF THOUGHT

IT'D BE DRAGGED INTO
ONE OF THESE THICKETS,

WHICH KIND OF TELLS ME
THAT THE LEOPARD

WAS PROBABLY SPOOKED OFF
BY SOMETHING.

BUT THIS IS WHAT
THEY'LL OFTEN DO.

THE LEOPARD WILL EAT TWICE,

MAYBE ONCE IN THE EARLY EVENING,
GET ITS FILL,

AND THEN ONCE AGAIN,
MAYBE IN THE EARLY MORNING,

AND THEN HE'LL LEAVE THE REST
TO THE HYENAS.

BUT I'M GONNA GET AT THIS
BEFORE THE HYENAS.

YOU KNOW, IT'S FRESH.

BUT TOMORROW, ALL OF THIS
JUST WILL HAVE GONE.

THIS WOULD BE SAFER COOKED,

BUT IT'S NOT THE TIME OR THE
PLACE TO STOP AND LIGHT A FIRE.

[ GRUNTS ]

[ FLIES BUZZING ]

I DON'T WANT TO HANG AROUND HERE
TOO LONG.

THE HYENAS ARE GONNA BE
ALL OVER THIS SOON.

THIS STRETCH OF THE RIVER
IS HOME

TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST
POPULATIONS OF HIPPOS.

THEY'RE THOUGHT TO KILL
MORE PEOPLE

THAN LIONS, ELEPHANT, BUFFALO,
LEOPARDS, AND RHINOS TOGETHER.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THOSE!
MAN!

AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S
A COUPLE OF HIPPOS COME UP,

PROBABLY BEEN GRAZING
THIS NICE GRASS,

AND THEN BACK INTO THE WATER.

BUT IT'S NOT SURPRISING.

THIS WHOLE PLACE,
THIS WHOLE LOWER ZAMBEZI,

IS JUST TEEMING WITH HIPPOS.

HIPPOS MIGHT BE VEGETARIAN,

BUT THESE 13-FOOT,
4-TON MONSTERS

ARE FIERCELY TERRITORIAL
AND PROTECTIVE OF THEIR YOUNG.

THEY'LL ATTACK ANYTHING
THEY THINK IS A THREAT,

AND THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR
200 DEATHS A YEAR IN AFRICA.

BUT AS ALL THE TRACKS
ARE HEADING OUT TO THE RIVER,

I'VE GOT TIME
TO TRY AND GET SOME FOOD.

I'VE GOT THE INNER THREAD
OF SOME STRING

AND A COUPLE OF HOOKS --

ENOUGH TO IMPROVISE
A FISHING KIT.

SO, THAT FLIP-FLOP
I PICKED UP...

OR WHAT'S LEFT OF THE FLIP-FLOP.

WHAT I PICKED UP
WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE RIVER

IS NOW GONNA COME IN HANDY.

THREAD THAT THROUGH
AND OVER ITSELF.

THIS WILL MAKE A GREAT FLOAT.

I FOUND SOME BAIT IN THE MUD,

AND MY WATER BOTTLE
DOUBLES AS A SPOOL...

ALL RIGHT, LET'S GIVE IT A CAST.

...WHICH MEANS MY LINE
WON'T GET TANGLED.

SO, WE'LL MOVE BACK A BIT
FROM THE WATER'S EDGE.

IT'S NOT ONLY FISH
THAT LIVE IN THIS RIVER.

THERE'S PLENTY OF COVER HERE
FOR A CROC TO LAY UP.

THEY'RE THE KINGS
OF CAMOUFLAGE.

ON THIS RIVER,

THERE'S THOUGHT TO BE
FIVE OF THEM EVERY TWO MILES.

WHENEVER YOU'RE FISHING
ON THE BANKS OF THE ZAMBEZI,

ALWAYS KEEP FACING THE WATER.

NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON IT.

ANY CROC ATTACK WILL ALWAYS
COME FROM THIS SIDE.

THEY'RE OPPORTUNISTIC KILLERS,

BUT THEY'RE MOSTLY NOCTURNAL,
SO I SHOULD BE SAFE UNTIL DUSK.

AND THERE MUST BE
PLENTY OF FISH HERE.

I'M GONNA LEAVE THE LINE
FOR A WHILE NOW

AND CHECK OUT THE RIVER
FURTHER DOWN.

ALL RIGHT, YOU NEED TO BE
A LITTLE BIT CAREFUL

JUST IN THIS MARSHY BIT.

THIS IS KIND OF PERFECT
JUST FOR CROCS.

THERE'S SOMETHING QUITE EERIE
ABOUT THIS PLACE.

YOU KNOW, I'M VERY EXPOSED HERE,

AND ALL I CAN HEAR
IS JUST LOADS OF HIPPOS AROUND.

AND I DON'T LIKE
ALL THIS MARSH --

NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE
WHAT'S IN IT.

I'M GOING BACK TO CHECK MY LINE
AND THEN GET OUT OF HERE FAST.

WHERE'S THE FLOAT?

LOOK, SOMETHING HAS TAKEN THIS,

'CAUSE BEFORE,
IT WAS BEING SWEPT THAT WAY.

YEAH, I THINK WE GOT SOMETHING.

A LITTLE CATFISH. AWESOME!

LET'S GET HIM ONTO DRY LAND
BEFORE HE GETS OFF THE HOOK.

[ GRUNTS ]

THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS

THERE'S SO MANY CROCS
IN THIS RIVER --

'CAUSE IT'S SO FULL
OF THESE SORT OF THINGS,

BUT MUCH BIGGER.

BUT THAT IS GONNA BE
SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT.

THAT'S FOOD SORTED, AND WHILE
I'VE STILL GOT PLENTY OF LIGHT,

I'M HEADING BACK INTO THE BUSH,
WHERE I'LL BE SAFER.

I'M LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE
TO SET UP CAMP FOR THE NIGHT.

THIS BAOBAB WILL BE GOOD.

THESE HUGE TREES
CAN BE 60 FOOT HIGH OR MORE

AND HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SURVIVE
FOR UP TO 3,000 YEARS.

BUT OUT HERE, YOU NEED TO
PICK YOUR CAMPSITE CAREFULLY.

ACTUALLY, HANG ON.

NO, NO,
THIS IS GONNA BE NO GOOD.

BLACK ANTS.

THESE AREN'T JUST ORDINARY ANTS.
THEY'RE VICIOUS.

GIVE A REALLY PAINFUL BITE.

GET A NIP FROM ONE OF THESE,
YOUR HAND WOULD SWELL UP.

I DON'T WANT TO SHARE MY CAMP
WITH THEM.

I'LL TRY ANOTHER.

HEY, LOOK.
IT'S COMPLETELY HOLLOW.

LOOK AT THIS.
ALL THE WAY UP. MASSIVE!

YOU MIGHT KIND OF THINK,
YOU KNOW,

THIS WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE
TO SHELTER IN

'CAUSE YOU GOT NATURAL COVERAGE
FROM THE RAIN,

BUT REALLY, YOU'D BE WRONG.

YEAH, YOU'RE SO ENCLOSED
IN HERE,

AND IF SOMETHING DOES COME IN,

YOU GOT NOWHERE
TO BACK OUT AND ESCAPE TO.

BUT THAT ONE...

MIGHT BE A LITTLE BETTER.

IT LOOKS GOOD.

I'M GONNA SLEEP ON THE GROUND,
BUT TO SURVIVE OUT HERE,

YOU MUST ALWAYS HAVE
AN ESCAPE PLAN.

THIS TREE'S
GONNA BE MUCH BETTER.

IF WE CAN GET UP THERE, I'LL
HAVE A REALLY GOOD VIEW OUT.

MAKING A BOLT-HOLE ISN'T HARD.

BAOBAB BARK IS LIKE A RIND,
AND THE INSIDE LIKE A SPONGE.

I JUST NEED TO CHISEL
A FEW STICKS TO USE AS RUNGS

TO BUILD A LADDER BEFORE DARK.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF DAYLIGHT
LEFT, ACTUALLY.

AND A GOOD WAY OF JUDGING
IS JUST TO MEASURE THE DISTANCE

FROM THE SUN
DOWN TO THE HORIZON.

IF YOU PUT YOUR HAND OUT,

AND THEN THE DISTANCE BETWEEN
YOUR LITTLE FINGER

AND THE NEXT FINGER
IS 15 MINUTES.

SO I CAN MEASURE.

15...30...

ABOUT HALF AN HOUR
OF LIGHT LEFT.

SO I NEED TO GET A WIGGLE ON.

I JUST NEED TO PUT
ONE MORE IN...

AND I RECKON THAT WOULD DO.

[ CLAPS ]

WHAT A VIEW.

WELL, IT'S NOT EXACTLY ROOMY
UP HERE,

BUT IT WILL KEEP ME SAFE
FROM THE ANIMALS.

BEFORE IT GETS DARK, I WANT TO
JUST PUT ONE MORE OF THESE IN,

AND IT'S THIS THAT YOU'D USE
TO SECURE YOURSELF TO.

JUST IN CASE YOU NEED
AN ESCAPE ROUTE IN THE NIGHT.

IT SAVED A FRIEND OF MINE

WHEN HIS CAMP WAS ATTACKED
BY BUFFALO.

NO WONDER THE BAOBAB IS KNOWN
AS THE TREE OF LIFE.

I'VE GOT AN ESCAPE
IF I NEED IT.

NOW I NEED FOOD.

[ CRACKLING ]

CATFISH IS READY TO GO.

PUT HIM ALONG LIKE THIS,

AND THEN HE'S NOT GONNA BURN.

HE'S NOT
DIRECTLY OVER THE FLAMES.

AND A GOOD WAY
OF JUDGING A GOOD DISTANCE --

IF YOU CAN HOLD YOUR HAND THERE
FOR ABOUT FIVE SECONDS

AND THEN IT GETS TOO HOT,
THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT.

[ CRACKLING CONTINUES ]

IT'S LIKE EATING WARM MUD,

BUT IT'S PROTEIN,
AND IT'S GOOD ENERGY.

AND I'VE GOT EVERYTHING
I NEED HERE.

I'VE GOT WARMTH,
I'VE GOT SHELTER...

AND I'VE GOT FOOD.

AND A PRETTY AWESOME SOUNDTRACK
TO LISTEN TO WHILST I EAT IT --

THE SOUND OF AFRICA.

I SPENT THE NIGHT SLEEPING
UNDER THIS BAOBAB TREE,

AND NOW I'M UP IN THE BRANCHES
TO GET FOOD,

READY FOR MY NEXT CHALLENGE.

I PROBABLY STAND
A BETTER CHANCE, ACTUALLY,

FROM DOWN THERE.

AS SOON AS I'VE EATEN,
I'M HEADING INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

OH.

WHOO!

OKAY, WE'VE GOT
SOME BAOBAB FRUIT.

AND THESE FRUITS ARE GREAT.

YOU KNOW,
BABOONS REALLY ENJOY THIS.

IT'S A STAPLE FOOD
ACROSS AFRICA.

AND THIS REALLY DOES HAVE
LOADS OF VITAMIN "C" IN IT.

LOOK -- YOU CAN SEE IT LOOKS
LIKE KIND OF CRUMBLY CHEESE,

BUT IT TASTES LIKE
JUST DRIED-OUT CHEESECAKE.

MY FAVORITE.

TIME TO GET MOVING.

OKAY, I'M GONNA TAKE THIS,

SOME OF THIS CHARCOAL
THAT I CAN USE LATER.

[ ZIPPING ]

AND THEN OVER THERE, YOU CAN SEE
WHERE I'M GOING TO --

THE ESCARPMENT.

ALWAYS GET ON THE MOVE EARLY

BEFORE THE CRIPPLING HEAT
AND HUMIDITY TAKE THEIR TOLL.

ONE OF THE STRUGGLES OUT HERE

IS JUST GETTING WATER
THAT YOU CAN DRINK THAT'S FRESH.

NOW, YOU CAN GET IT
FROM THE RIVER,

BUT YOU'VE GOT TO BOIL IT.

BUT ONE THING YOU CAN DO
AT THIS TIME OF DAY,

IN THE EARLY MORNING,
IF YOU'VE GOT LONG GRASS,

IS JUST COLLECT THE DEW.

AND ONE WAY OF DOING THAT...

TAKE MY SHIRT OFF,
TIE THAT THERE.

AND THAT SHOULD GET
NICE AND DAMP NOW.

THIS IS AN OLD TRICK I PICKED
UP FROM AN ARMY FRIEND.

IN THICK DEW, IT SHOULD SOAK UP
PLENTY OF WATER.

NOW, THIS SHOULD BE
WET ENOUGH NOW.

[ SIGHS ]

THEY ALWAYS TALK ABOUT WATER
TASTING LIKE FRESH DEW.

WELL, THIS IS LIKE THAT...
BUT WITH A HINT OF SWEAT.

BUT IT WORKED.

IT'S CLEAN AND IT'S DRINKABLE.

YOU CAN GET AS MUCH
AS A QUARTER OF A LITER

IN A COUPLE OF HOURS.

NOW I'M HEADING DEEPER
INTO THE BUSH.

AS IT'S THE RAINY SEASON,
WATER'S PLENTIFUL.

ANIMALS NO LONGER NEED TO STAY
CLOSE TO THE RIVER,

AND THAT MEANS
YOU'RE MORE LIKELY

TO GET A DANGEROUS SURPRISE.

JUST AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT.

ALMOST ALL OF THEM
ARE FEMALES WITH THEIR YOUNG.

AND THAT MAKES THEM
ESPECIALLY PROTECTIVE

AND, THEREFORE, DANGEROUS.

IF THEY THINK THEIR YOUNG
ARE THREATENED, THEY'LL ATTACK.

IN ZAMBIA, 10 PEOPLE A YEAR

ARE TRAMPLED OR GORED TO DEATH
BY ELEPHANTS.

I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN
SO MANY ELEPHANTS.

LOOK, ALL THE WAY
ACROSS THE RISE IN THIS PLAIN.

[ ELEPHANTS GRUNTING ]

THERE MUST BE 80 OF THEM HERE,
AT LEAST.

I'LL TELL YOU,
MY HEART IS JUST POUNDING.

THEY CAN BE AS TALL AS 13 FOOT
AND WEIGH AS MUCH AS 8 TONS.

THE FIRST SIGN OF DANGER

IS WHEN THEY FLAP THEIR EARS
AND GRUNT.

BUT THESE GUYS REALLY ARE HUGE.

CLOSE UP, YOU JUST REALIZE
WHAT MASSIVE ANIMALS THEY ARE.

IF THE WIND WAS IN
THE OTHER DIRECTION,

I COULD BE IN TROUBLE.

IF THEY CHARGE, YOU'RE SUPPOSED
TO HOLD YOUR GROUND,

BUT THEY CAN RUN AT NEARLY
20 MILES AN HOUR.

THE ONLY REASON
I CAN GET THIS CLOSE

IS 'CAUSE I'M DOWNWIND OF THEM.

THE WIND'S COMING TOWARDS ME,

AND, THEREFORE,
THEY CAN'T SMELL ME.

THEY HAVE VERY BAD EYESIGHT
BUT A VERY GOOD SENSE OF SMELL.

BUT IT'S QUITE
AN INTIMIDATING PLACE.

JUST FEEL THEM ALL CLOSING IN
ALL AROUND NOW.

[ GRUNTING CONTINUES ]

NOW, THAT'S WEIRD,

BECAUSE PART OF ME JUST
WANTS TO BACK AWAY AND RUN,

BUT PART OF IT'S
QUITE MESMERIZING.

YOU JUST KIND OF FEEL
ROOTED TO THE GROUND.

YOU CAN SEE, THEY'RE ALL TURNING
AND LEAVING NOW.

IF ONLY COULD KNOW HOW
COMPLETELY DEFENSELESS I AM

STANDING OUT
AMONGST ALL THIS GRASS.

BUT WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO SEE.

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING
QUITE LIKE THIS.

AS QUICKLY AS THEY APPEARED...

BOOM, NOW THEY'VE GONE.

IF THERE ARE ELEPHANTS HERE,
THOUGH,

THERE MUST BE
A WATERING HOLE NEARBY.

JUST THE SORT OF PLACE
FOR GIANT, EDIBLE BULLFROGS.

HAVE A LOOK AT THIS!

YOU CAN SEE HIM
JUST THROUGH THE GRASS.

AND THESE BULLFROGS

ARE THE BIGGEST FROGS
IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

ALL THE FROGS DOWN HERE
ARE EDIBLE,

BUT THEY DO PROTECT THEMSELVES.

AND, YOU KNOW,
SOME FROGS WILL, LIKE,

SECRETE THIS POISON OFF THEIR
BACK TO DETER PREDATORS,

BUT THIS GUY'S GOT
THESE BIG LOWER TEETH.

SO I DON'T WANT TO JUST
TRY AND GRAB HIM.

I'LL END UP GETTING BIT BY HIM.

BUT I KNOW WHAT I CAN DO
TO GET ONE OF THEM.

I'M USING A BRANCH
FROM A WAIT-AWHILE BUSH.

GET CAUGHT ON THIS, AND THAT'S
JUST WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING.

RHODESIAN SPECIAL FORCES
USE THIS

TO SNARE THEIR PRISONERS
AND STOP THEM ESCAPING.

HOPEFULLY, IT WILL WORK
ON MY BULLFROG...

...IF I CAN KEEP UPRIGHT.

WHERE THE HELL'S HE GONE?

UGH! IT STINKS.

HE'S GOT TO SURFACE SOMEWHERE.

OH, THERE HE IS.
SEE HIM OVER THERE?

GOD, HE'S A SLIPPERY ONE,
THIS FROG.

OH, THERE HE IS!

THERE WE GO. WE GOT HIM.

AND ONCE HE'S ON
THAT WAIT-A-BIT BUSH,

HE'S NOT GONNA GET OFF IT.

[ BREATHING HEAVILY ]

COOL.

AND THAT'S DINNER!

NOW I'M GONNA GET SOME FIREWOOD.

AND THERE'S PLENTY OF THAT
OUT HERE.

[ CRACKLING ]

I'LL LET YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN
BY HIS TEETH.

HAVE A LOOK IN THERE.
DON'T WANT TO GET BIT BY THOSE.

OKAY, LET'S HAVE
SOME FROGS' LEGS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT
THE SKIN OF THESE,

BUT THE MEAT INSIDE IS GOOD.

SO WHAT I'M GONNA DO
IS JUST KIND OF KABOB IT,

AND WHAT THAT WILL DO
IS BURN ALL OF THE SKIN OFF

AND LEAVE ME
WITH THE MEAT UNDERNEATH.

YOU KNOW,
YOU CAN ALSO EAT THE --

EAT THE BREAST MEAT OFF THAT,
AS WELL.

THERE'S ACTUALLY
QUITE A GOOD BIT ON HERE.

I ALWAYS LIKE TO START
WITH SOME LEGS.

ONE THING ABOUT BEING
OUT IN THE BUSH LIKE THIS

IS THAT IT'S ACTUALLY VERY HARD
TO EVER SWITCH OFF,

EVEN WHEN YOU GOT A FIRE
AND SOMETHING TO EAT

AND EVERY BONE IN YOUR BODY KIND
OF WANTS TO JUST RELAX AND STOP.

BUT YOU CAN'T HERE, YOU KNOW?

YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT ANIMALS
ARE LURKING IN THESE GRASSES,

AND YOU JUST NEED TO KEEP
YOUR SENSES ALERT.

THESE LOOK DONE NOW.

I'LL TRY A BIT OF THIS MEAT.

WELL, IF YOU'RE FRENCH,
YOU'D LOVE THIS.

BUT KIND OF TASTES A BIT DIRTY,
REALLY.

I'M ON MY WAY TO THE MOUNTAINS

TO RENDEZVOUS
WITH A HELICOPTER.

AND IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOOK,
THERE'S FOOD TO KEEP YOU GOING.

ONE OF THE MANY GOOD THINGS
ABOUT THESE MOPANE TREES

IS THAT THEY'RE COVERED IN...

THESE MOPANE WORMS.

HERE YOU GO.

NOW, SEE THIS GUY?

AND THESE WORMS
WILL ONLY LIVE ON THIS TREE.

WHAT THEY FEED OFF
ARE ALL OF THESE LEAVES.

BUT THESE WILL GROW INTO
THESE BIG MOTHS.

BUT THEY ARE EDIBLE.

ABSOLUTELY LOADS OF THEM.
TWO UNDER THERE.

OKAY, LET'S COOK THEM UP.

I'VE GOT THIS CAN THAT I FOUND
FROM THE BANKS OF THE RIVER.

AND WHAT I CAN DO WITH THIS
IS MAKE LIKE A LITTLE STOVE,

AND IF YOU EVER NEEDED TO JUST
CONTAIN A FIRE --

JUST HAVE A LITTLE ONE --

SOMETHING LIKE THIS
CAN WORK PERFECTLY.

LET'S PUT SOME HOLES IN IT...

TO GET THE AIR THROUGH IT.

AND ONCE I GET THE STOVE GOING,

IT'S GONNA GET HOT
REALLY QUICKLY,

SO I WANT TO GET THESE WORMS
READY TO GO ON THEM.

AND WHAT YOU DO IS,

GRAB IT BY THE HEAD
AND THEN JUST SQUEEZE.

AND ALL OF THE GUNK WILL THEN
COME OUT THE BOTTOM.

I CAN'T EAT THEM RAW

BECAUSE THEY'RE COVERED IN
SOME SERIOUSLY PRICKLY HAIRS

WHICH COULD DAMAGE YOUR THROAT.

THIS IS REALLY HOT NOW.
GET THESE ON.

PACKED WITH SMALL PIECES
OF KINDLING,

MY MAKESHIFT STOVE
REALLY PUMPS OUT SOME HEAT.

THIS ONE SHOULD BE DONE,
I THINK.

TASTES EXACTLY HOW YOU'D IMAGINE

A CHARGRILLED, BRIGHTLY COLORED
WORM FULL OF WARM PUSS

WOULD TASTE.

UGH.

BUT BEFORE LONG,
I'M BEGINNING TO THINK

THAT THAT WAS ONE BUG TOO MANY,

AND I'M SOON FEELING ILL.

THE PUNISHING HUMIDITY
ISN'T HELPING EITHER.

WITHIN HOURS,
I'VE GOT DIARRHEA,

AND OUT HERE,
THAT CAN BE A DISASTER.

UNLESS YOU BURY IT,
YOU COULD ATTRACT PREDATORS

JUST WHEN YOU'RE
AT YOUR WEAKEST.

BUT IT'S THE DEHYDRATION
THAT'S MY BIGGEST PROBLEM.

IN A SURVIVAL SITUATION,

YOU'RE LOSING FLUIDS
THAT YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO.

YOU CAN COLLAPSE,
AND WITHOUT HELP, YOU CAN DIE.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP DRINKING.

'CAUSE IT'S A RAINY SEASON,

A LOT OF THIS WATER
COMING DOWN --

YOU CAN SEE IT'S REALLY SILTY.

THERE'S A LOT OF SAND
AND A LOT OF MUD IN IT.

MY STOMACH'S IN TURMOIL.

AS WELL AS FLUID,

I'M LOSING SALTS AND MINERALS
THAT MY BODY REALLY NEEDS.

I MUST FILTER AND BOIL
THIS WATER.

I NEED A FIRE.

BECAUSE IT'S SO WET,

A LOT OF THIS WOOD
IS JUST COMPLETELY UNUSABLE.

AND WHAT I ALWAYS TELL
MY LITTLE BOY

WHEN WE'RE COLLECTING
FIREWOOD IS,

IF IT CRACKLES
WHEN YOU BREAK IT LIKE A FIRE...

[ CRACKS ]

...THAT MEANS IT'S GOOD TO BURN.

ONE WAY I CAN CLEAN THE WATER

IS JUST TO IMPROVISE SOMETHING
OUT OF MY RUCKSACK.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR

IS JUST A POCKET
THAT I CAN USE AS A STRAINER.

LIKE THAT.
THAT WOULD BE IDEAL.

AND YOU KNOW, YOU CAN IMPROVISE
THIS WITH ANYTHING.

YOU KNOW, I'VE USED
MY SOCKS BEFORE --

EVEN UNDERPANTS.

AND THEN, WHAT I'VE ALSO GOT

IS SOME OF THE CHARCOAL
FROM MY FIRE.

AND CHARCOAL'S
ALWAYS GOOD TO USE.

WHAT IT DOES IS ABSORB A LOT
OF THE TOXINS IN THE WATER.

THIS SHOULD ALSO HELP TO MOP UP

THE HARMFUL BACTERIA
IN MY GUT --

A CLASSIC BUSH REMEDY.

THE SAND WILL FILTER OUT
THE LARGE PARTICLES OF DIRT,

AND THE POROUS CHARCOAL
WILL SOAK UP THE SMALLER ONES.

IF I GET ALL THIS KIND OF
MUCKY WATER, POUR IT IN...

...AND THEN I BOIL THIS UP

TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE
IT'S GOOD TO DRINK.

WHAT I'M ALSO GONNA DO
IS JUST GRIND UP...

SOME OF THIS CHARCOAL
TO TIP INTO IT.

I'VE GOT BAD DIARRHEA,

AND I KNOW THAT THIS STUFF
IS GONNA HELP MY STOMACH --

HELPS ABSORB THE TOXINS.

AND THIS IS ALMOST BOILING NOW.

PEOPLE OFTEN THINK YOU HAVE TO
BOIL STUFF FOR AGES,

BUT ACTUALLY, IT'S BEEN PROVEN,

ALL YOU NEED
IS TO GET IT BOILING.

IT'S CALLED A ROLLING BOIL.

AND THEN THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH
TO DRINK.

COOL IT DOWN.

LET YOU SEE INSIDE IT.

IT'S BOILED.

PRETTY BLACK,
BUT THAT'S DRINKABLE,

AND IT'S GONNA HELP MY TUMMY.

IF YOU'RE ILL, YOU'RE BETTER OFF
STAYING BY A STREAM

SO YOU'VE GOT PLENTY OF FLUID
TO KEEP YOU HYDRATED.

BUT I'M FEELING TERRIBLE,

AND THIS IS THE LAST THING
I NOW NEED.

WELL, THE STREAM'S LED TO THIS.

AND THAT IS LOOKING PRETTY SHEER
ALL THE WAY 'ROUND.

AND THERE WILL BE A WAY UP THIS
IF I HEAD BACK A BIT...

YOU KNOW, MAYBE GO AROUND.

BUT A LOT OF ROCK CLIMBING

IS ABOUT TRYING TO FIND
A LINE OF WEAKNESS IN A FACE.

AND THIS ONE MIGHT BE DOABLE.

THIS CRACK GOING UP THERE --
IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

AND THE REST OF IT LOOKS
PRETTY IMPENETRABLE,

BUT THIS LOOKS DOABLE...

AND KIND OF IRRESISTIBLE.

I NEED ALL THE STRENGTH I'VE
GOT TO GET UP AND OUT FAST.

AT TIMES LIKE THIS, SURVIVAL
IS ALL ABOUT WILLPOWER,

BUT I'M FINDING THIS CLIMB
REALLY TOUGH GOING NOW.

NOT FEELING --

NOT FEELING AS STRONG AS NORMAL.

THIS WOULD NORMALLY BE EASIER.

AND THERE'S QUITE
A GOOD-SIZED DROP NOW,

AND I'M GETTING
QUITE COMMITTED ON THIS.

I FEEL LIKE...
[ SIGHS ]

I FEEL LIKE TERRIBLE.

I'M ONLY HALFWAY UP.

I FEEL SICK, AND I'M EXHAUSTED.

I CAN'T GO ANY FURTHER.

I FEEL LIKE TERRIBLE.

I THINK I'M GONNA HAVE TO
STOP HERE FOR TWO SECONDS.

THIS DIARRHEA...

IS NOT WAITING FOR ANYONE.

SORRY, SORRY, SORRY.

I DO FEEL BETTER THOUGH.

OKAY. 30 MORE FEET.

EVERY TIME YOU HAVE TO STOP
LIKE THIS,

YOU BECOME MORE DEHYDRATED.

DIARRHEA CAN MEAN YOU LOSE 40
TIMES MORE WATER THAN NORMAL.

ADD IN THE HEAT, THE HUMIDITY,
THE EXERTION,

AND THIS BECOMES SHEER HELL.

BUT AT THE TOP, THERE'S SOME
RESPITE FOR MY STRUGGLING BODY.

THIS IS A PLACE TO COOL DOWN,

AND THAT CLIMB WAS MUCH TOUGHER
FEELING LIKE THIS,

ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT.

BUT THIS IS GONNA BE HEAVEN.

PURE HEAVEN.

NO MORE CLIMBING NOW AS I PICK
MY WAY INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

I'M SHATTERED, BUT MY REWARD
FOR GETTING UP HERE

IS THE CHANCE TO BE IN ONE
OF THE OLDEST PLACES ON EARTH.

THESE HILLS WERE HERE

WHEN ALL THE CONTINENTS
OF THE WORLD

WERE STILL JOINED TOGETHER.

THEY'RE 10 MILLION YEARS OLDER
THAN THE HIMALAYAS.

YOU KNOW, REALLY,

ZAMBIA'S SHOWING ME AFRICA
AT ITS MOST BEAUTIFUL.

BUT IT'S ALSO SHOWN ME AFRICA
AT ITS MOST --

MOST DANGEROUS
AND ITS MOST WILD.

[ SIGHS ]

BUT FOR ME, IT'S DEFINITELY TIME
TO BE HEADING HOME.

I'VE GOT A HELICOPTER
COMING SOON,

AND TO MAKE SURE
THEY DON'T MISS ME,

I'M GONNA MAKE A SIGNAL FIRE.

THIS IS NO ORDINARY FIRE.

IT'S GOT TO LIGHT FIRST TIME

AND CREATE
A THICK PLUME OF SMOKE.

I'M RAISING THE BASE
OF THE FIRE OFF THE GROUND

SO AIR CAN GET UNDER IT,

AND IT'LL BURN BRIGHT AND FAST.

AND THIS PYRAMID CONSTRUCTION

HOLDS ALL THE LAYERS OF FUEL
IN PLACE.

GET IT RIGHT, AND IT SHOULD BE
SEEN FROM MILES AWAY.

ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS
WHEN YOU'RE MAKING A SIGNAL FIRE

IS TO MAKE SURE THE TINDER
YOU USE GOES UP FIRST TIME.

YOU MIGHT ONLY JUST HAVE
ONE CHANCE AT RESCUE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE FAFFING
AROUND TRYING TO GET THINGS LIT.

AND A GOOD WAY OF MAKING SURE
YOUR TINDER'S DRY

IS JUST TO RAKE YOUR HANDS
THROUGH THE TUFTS OF GRASS,

AND WHAT YOU'RE LEFT WITH
IS THE GOOD, DRY STUFF.

THE IDEA HERE IS, ALL OF THIS
DRY STUFF UNDERNEATH

ACTS AS, LIKE, A FUSE.

TAKES VERY FAST AND VERY HOT,

AND THEN BURNS
ALL OF THIS LIVING STUFF

THAT'S GONNA MAKE THE SMOKE
AND BE THE SIGNAL.

THAT'S THE HELI.

[ FIRE CRACKLING ]

[ HELICOPTER BLADES WHIRRING ]

THE CHOPPER'S SEEN ME.
IT'S HEADING IN.

AND I'M OUT OF HERE.