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.
-- Captions by VITAC -- www.vitac.com
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
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 RUNWAY 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!
MY NEXT CHALLENGE IS TO HEAD INTO THE AFRICAN BUSH,
WHERE I'M GONNA HAVE TO EAT WHATEVER I CAN FIND.
OH, MY GOODNESS!
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 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.
BUT THEY'RE THE LEAST OF MY PROBLEMS.
LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THOSE! MAN!
HIPPOS.
I'M IN THE ZAMBIAN BUSH HEADING TO THE LOWER ZAMBEZI RIVER
WHICH SNAKES ITS WAY THROUGH
SOME OF THE MEANEST TERRAIN IN THE WORLD,
AND I CAN HEAR THE SOUND
OF SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS CREATURES IN AFRICA.
[ GRUNTING IN DISTANCE ]
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.
BUT TOMORROW, I'LL BE FACE-TO-FACE
WITH THE LARGEST KILLER IN ZAMBIA.
JUST AN INCREDIBLE SIGHT.
I'M IN THE BUSH IN ZAMBIA IN THE HEART 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!
[ CRACKLING ]
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.
BUT IT'S A BOOST FOR MY NEXT CHALLENGE,
AND I'M GONNA NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET.
I FEEL LIKE TERRIBLE.
I'M IN SOUTHERN AFRICA IN THE ZAMBIAN BUSH.
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.
GETTING TO THE TOP IS GOING TO BE A BATTLE.
I'M CLIMBING OUT OF THE LOWER ZAMBEZI VALLEY
IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.
I'M EXHAUSTED, WEAKENED BY ACUTE DIARRHEA,
AND 60 FOOT UP.
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.