4 years in the making with hundreds of filmmakers, Nat Geo and Disney+ bring you what I consider, one of the most stunning series of nature documentaries I’ve ever seen!

Not just hyperbole.

Premiering Oct 2 on Nat Geo, Disney, and Hulu in 7 episodes you are brought far and wide across one of the most diverse continents, created by a group of talented, insightful filmmakers and scientists. A brief descriptor of each episode is at the end of this post.

From aerial shots above a teeming range of pink flamingos,

A large flock of lesser flamingos at Lake Elmenteita. (National Geographic/Luke Nelson)

Milena Fracchia and Kevin Zaouali flying a drone in the Algerian desert. (National Geographic/Matthew Gould)

to the macro images of some of the most unique insects on the planet,

An assassin bug on a piece of wood on the forest floor. (National Geographic)

Cinematographer John Aitchison films from a hide. (National Geographic)

One thing to be aware of as you watch is the script and the voice over talent.

There is an art of intertwining captured footage with a storyline, and they did so with a skill that I’m still trying to figure out!

With editors cutting footage, knowing what the researched actions of the animals would/could be, and telling a compelling story, is achieved in each episode.

Research and preparation

• Research is extensive and involves scientists, field experts, local guides and camera specialists.

• Crews research everything from animal behavior to rainfall, flooding, migration and the best time of day for activity.

  

  A large herd of Cape buffalo walking across parched lands of Botswana. (National Geographic/Russel MacLaughlin)

• Each episode was divided into individual sequences, with DPs selected according to their specialty—macro, long-lens behavioral work, aerial, etc.

• Each episode had a producer coordinating the stories and shoots.

• Planning could take weeks or even years, considering animal behavior, migration, flowering seasons, weather, geography and the best time to capture specific behavior.

Despite extensive preparation, crews had to remain extremely flexible because wildlife doesn’t follow a production schedule

We caught up with one of the producer/field directors who was involved in some of the most challenging, and beautiful sequences.

Lillian Todd-Jones. She sees her career as combining her two passions: storytelling and the natural world, and this series is a perfect blend

Her role is essentially turning genuine scientific and animal behavior into compelling stories for audiences.

She walked us through some of our favorite sequences;

The cave crocodile sequence breakdown gives you a sample of the intricacies of each shoot:

• The dwarf crocodiles lived deep inside a dark cave and the crew couldn’t remain inside with them, so the sequence had to be filmed remotely.

• They installed six infrared-adapted Z CAMs, each mounted on remotely controlled heads attached to the cave walls.

• The cameras were protected by small umbrellas from bat droppings.

• Power and data cables were run through the jungle back to a monitoring shack.

• The crew monitored the feeds 24 hours a day in shifts, waiting for behavior that might last only seconds.

• The cameras were powered continuously, so batteries never had to be changed.

• After the cameras were installed, the crew deliberately avoided returning to the cave because disturbing the crocodiles could cause them to retreat.

• The crocodiles initially disappeared deeper into the cave but eventually became accustomed to the equipment.

• Infrared illumination allowed the cameras to see while leaving the cave essentially dark from the crocodiles’ perspective.

“And then, we still had the cameras could pan and tilt. I think initially the crocs could hear that happening. But I mean, certainly, eventually, as you saw, you know, they were hunting and they’re listening for the bats to fall as well. “

Another one of my favorite sequences she was involved with was a night vision set with hyenas tracking and engaging with elephants.

Not only is this unique footage but it is also artful in the unique footage.

Details

• From the Jungles episode, it was captured entirely with infrared/thermal imaging.

• The camera was a SLX SuperHawk, a specialist thermal camera.

• Much of the time the crew couldn’t see the animals with their own eyes—the action existed primarily on the camera monitor.

• They spent weeks waiting, with many nights producing little or no significant behavior.

“the DP on that one was Mark Yates. And he’s a very experienced DP. He has been doing it so long, he seems to have this sixth sense for what an animal is going to do.

When he follows them, it’s like he’s told them what to do. It’s as though he already knows  what’s going to happen. It’s amazing, his sense for wildlife and animal behavior is extraordinary.”

Pay special attention also to the Madagascar episode as you will be presented with some of the most unique creatures on earth.

Plus, you will be introduced to a spider whose web is actually as strong as the webs that Spiderman weaves in film.

A Darwin’s bark spider hanging from a branch in Madagascar’s rainforest. (National Geographic/Simon Lewis)

And of course there are hippos! Underwater no less

A barbel fish coming up to clean the skin of a hippo. (National Geographic)

How did they do that? Like this:

Here is a description of each episode:

Welcome to Africa 

Africa is an extraordinary continent. It is home to the planet’s greatest gatherings of wildlife and every imaginable habitat. From deserts and mountain peaks to dense jungle and exotic islands, all life here is shaped by the place it calls HOME. In this dynamic land, animals must be ready to adapt.

Jungle 

Jungles cover 900 million acres of Africa, and the greatest of all is the Congo, Africa’s green heart. A twisted labyrinth of billions of trees, secret caves and the world’s deepest river hides creatures found nowhere else on Earth. For those able to navigate its many dangers and find its hidden opportunities, there is no place like HOME.

Islands

Africa’s paradise islands are the most isolated places to call HOME on the continent. Separated from the mainland millions of years ago, each one has become its own unique world. From the oldest island on the planet, Madagascar, to others that have only just formed, life here has had to rip up the rule book to find unique and ingenious ways to survive.

Desert 

The Sahara is the largest hot desert on Earth, covering a third of Africa. In this unforgiving land, life seems all but impossible. But hidden in the vast desert are remarkable animals with a unique set of survival skills. With determination and resourcefulness, they manage to turn this extreme desert into a HOME.

Plains 

Africa’s vast plains are HOME to the greatest gatherings of wildlife on the planet. Spanning half of the continent, the plains undergo constant transformation, from violent geological forces that rip the land apart to extreme seasons that change from flood to drought in weeks. To survive on Africa’s plains, animals must learn to turn the ever-changing conditions into their advantage.

Extremes 

Africa is a brutal land of extremes. It is the hottest continent on Earth, but in places, temperatures can plummet to 20 below zero. With the fastest-growing population on the planet, the continent is being transformed like never before. Only the most extraordinary animals can survive these extremes by turning danger into opportunity.

Africa’s Wild Future

The planet’s most iconic wildlife and wild spaces call Africa HOME, but its very existence is under threat. A movement of African conservationists is leading the fight to protect and create harmony with the wildlife. At this critical time, it’s African conservationists who are showing a new way forward, restoring our relationship with the natural world.