Namibia’s Natural Wonders

Namibia is a country of contrasts, from the arid savannahs to flowing rivers and rugged coastlines. This documentary explores the natural wonders of the country in southern Africa. Despite the dry and barren habitat, the Kalahari Desert in the east is home to a range of rare and fascinating creatures. Animals must be resourceful and clever to survive in the world’s oldest desert and one of the driest places on Earth, the Namib.

Documentary

Seasons

1. Life at the Limit

Air Date: 2023-09-11

Drought and heat determine life in the Namib. It has not rained here for years. The last desert elephants are suffering from the longest drought in decades. Only about 150 of these animals still roam the desert, led by a matriarch and living in small herds. Every day they wander long distances in search of food and water. But even in a dried-up river bed, in the middle of nowhere, they still find something to eat. The fruits of the camel thorn tree, which offers fruit, leaves and bark all year round, are particularly popular. The desert elephants move within the dry rivers, where plants are still most likely to grow. In the language of the locals, Namib means "empty place". But if you look closely, everything here is full of life and animals that have managed to adapt to the extreme conditions.

2. Little Heroes, Big Hunters

Air Date: 2023-09-12

The Kalahari is a dry and barren desert that nevertheless offers a surprising diversity of species. One of the fascinating creatures that live here is the Ground pangolin. It resembles a cute dinosaur and is the only mammal that wears horn scales. The meerkat watches its surroundings carefully and is always on the lookout for enemies. Together with its colony, it goes foraging and digs through the ground in search of treats. In the north-east of Namibia lie the great rivers. Here, a matriarch leads a herd of elephants. Elephant societies are very complex: mothers with their children, sisters and aunts with their own offspring. They all form a close-knit family herd. From the dry savannahs to the vast riverine landscapes: Namibia is the land of a thousand faces, wonders and stories. It is a world of little heroes and great hunters.

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