BBC4 ‘Wonderful Africa Season’

BBC4 have just finished a week of programming taking an in-depth look at Africa, from its history and culture to its magnificent wildlife and scenery.

Our Africa team felt it would be nice to include some of the places, safari lodges and experiences that Audley offer and which were featured in some of these programmes. So, if you watched any of them do let us know what you thought by leaving a quick reply at the bottom of this blog.

In case you missed any of the programmes we have linked each one to the BBC’s iPlayer service so you can watch again (available UK only for a limited time).

Audley and the ‘Wonderful Africa Season’

The ‘Wonderful Africa Season’ featured a number of places, camps and activities which we at Audley can also provide as part of a wider tailor-made itinerary. Of course, however, this only represents a fraction of what we offer, so if you want to find out more simply visit the Africa section of our website or contact us on 01993 838 500.

Il N’gwesi, Kenya (as featured in “History of Safari”)

Il N’gwesi is one of the camps in Kenya which Richard E Grant stayed at during The History Of Safari with Richard E Grant.

It sits atop a kopje which affords it spectacular views of the surrounding wilderness.

Activities from Il N’gwesi include game drives, nature walks and time spent in local Maasai villages. It’s run by the local Maasai and for a wilderness experience, you simply can’t beat it.

Il Ngwesi Group Ranch, Kenya (as featured in ”History of Safari”) 

Il Ngwesi Group Ranch is situated north of Mount Kenya, far from any towns and on the edge of Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau.

The ranch is not a ranch in the traditional sense of the word. Rather, it is a huge tract of land owned by many Maasai villages.

The wildlife here includes herds of up to 400 elephant, while the calls of lion and leopard are often heard at night. A black rhino, Omni, has recently been relocated from Lewa, making it the first black rhino in Il N’gwesi in over twenty years.

Masai Mara Balloon flight, Kenya (as featured in “History of Safari”)

Taking an early morning balloon flight across the Masai Mara in Kenya is a wonderful experience. Whilst you enjoy a hot drink and a biscuit you can watch the balloons being inflated in the early dawn light.

After take off your pilot can precisely control the altitude of your balloon: sometimes flying at treetop height, sometimes lower, offering a unique perspective and great photographic opportunities of the wildlife below.

It’s a fantastic way to see game as well as to take some memorable photographs.

Drakensburg Mountains, South Africa (as featured in “South Africa Walks”)

The Drakensberg (known locally as the Berg) rise to their most fierce and dramatic on the Lesotho border, earning their Zulu name “Barrier of Spears”.

It’s a place of outstanding natural beauty with hundreds of kilometers of unspoiled escarpment awaiting the tourist who seeks to get away from it all.

There are plenty of activities to choose from here as well, such as some wonderful hiking trails showcasing the scenery to visiting the remarkable San rock art.

Cathedral Peak Hotel, South Africa (as featured in “South Africa Walks”)

There are very few opportunities to stay in protected areas that are as remote and stunning as Cathedral Peak Hotel, which makes it very special.

The views of the mountains, and the opportunity to walk, climb or even fly around them are the main attractions of the hotel, which also has a mass of other facilities on offer from a 9 hole golf course to a bowling green.

BBC Programmes in the series

If you missed any of the programmes, don’t worry, you can now watch them again online (for a limited time) as we have linked each one to the BBC’s iPlayer service (UK only).

African Railway. Award-winning journalist and film-maker Sean Langan tells the story of modern day Africa through the lives of those who live, work and depend on the Freedom Railway, the Tazara Express.

The History Of Safari with Richard E Grant. Richard E Grant, a native of Swaziland, explores the controversial history of safari in a one-off film.

Hugh Masekela: Welcome to South Africa. Legendary South African musician Hugh Masekela celebrates his 70th birthday and reflects on his career in performance and interview.

South Africa in Pictures. The UK’s most famous fashion photographer, Rankin, has travelled all over the world taking pictures. He explains why it’s the photography of South Africa that has always gripped his imagination.

South Africa Walks. Julia Bradbury sets out to explore a nation that describes itself as “a world in one country”. Four very different walks take Julia to the coastline, mountains, a game reserve and the desert.

The Tutu Talks is a four-part discussion series, in which Archbishop Desmond Tutu tackles the most challenging issues facing Africa today.

The African Rock ‘n’ Roll Years traces the roots of African music, and features some of the continent’s major artists.

African School looks into the activities and characters of Masindi Secondary School in Uganda.

The Great Rift: Africa’s Wild Heart investigates the geological forces which shaped East Africa’s Great Rift Valley and make it one of the world’s most wildlife-rich landscapes.

The Ghost and the Darkness is an adventure film following two men as they hunt a pair of lions that are obstructing the progress of a railway line.

Lost Kingdoms of Africa sees art historian Dr Gus Casely-Hayford explore the pre-colonial history of some of Africa’s most important kingdoms.

Building Africa: Architecture of a Continent. Acclaimed architect David Adjaye travels through Africa to unravel the surprising secrets of the continent’s architectural history.

Soweto Strings tells the story of a British music teacher’s work in Soweto in South Africa.