National Geographic is doubling down on documentary filmmaking with the launch of a new multi-year franchise dedicated to chronicling the planet continent by continent. The initiative begins with “Africa Earth’s Wild Home,” a seven-part series that required four years of production and a crew of more than 50 individuals.
The project represents a collaboration between National Geographic, the global network of Explorers and scientists affiliated with the National Geographic Society, and Rolex’s Perpetual Planet Initiative. Courteney Monroe, president of National Geographic, described the alliance as a testament to the power of combining narrative, science, and a unified mission.
“It’s proof of what’s possible when storytelling, science and a shared sense of purpose come together,” Monroe stated. “Through this collaboration, we are expanding what natural history storytelling can reveal, whose voices it can elevate and how deeply it can connect audiences to the wonders of our planet.”
Academy Award nominee Wunmi Mosaku serves as both narrator and executive producer for the series. Footage was captured across nearly 30 African nations, utilizing advanced technology and cutting-edge CGI to explore the geological and environmental forces that have sculpted the continent. Production teams traversed diverse terrains—including deserts, jungles, mountains, forests, and islands—to illustrate how distinct ecosystems influence the wildlife within them.
Gavin Boyland, the series showrunner and editor, explained that Africa was selected as the inaugural focus because it is globally synonymous with wildlife spectacle. However, the goal was to present a nuanced perspective beyond the usual iconic animals.
“Africa got the best wildlife. It’s got the most spectacle. It’s got the charismatic animals,” Boyland said. “So, what we wanted to do from the outset is show people a different side of Africa. So, while we absolutely filmed lions and elephants and all the kind of familiar wildlife, but we also wanted to show different environments, different landscapes and different species that live in those landscapes as well.”
To achieve this, Boyland’s team moved away from traditional Western academic researchers, instead consulting local wildlife guides, drivers, photographers, and residents who observe fauna daily. According to Boyland, these individuals were instrumental in identifying previously unrecorded animal behaviors.
The series features several groundbreaking sequences, including footage of the world’s smallest crocodile hunting bats in pitch-black caves, a notoriously irritable black rain frog, and a flying saucer beetle that digs trenches to collect water from coastal fog. Other rare sights include giant vegetarian land tortoises ambushing birds, golden wolves preying on pelicans three times their size, and a male fossa battling to reach a female in her mating tree.
Jill Tiefenthaler, CEO of the National Geographic Society, emphasized that the series encourages deeper engagement with the natural world. “The series inspires us to look closer, learn more and care more deeply,” Tiefenthaler said. “That’s the same passion that drives our National Geographic Explorers… With partners like Rolex and Disney, we magnify the impact of their work, inspiring millions to care about our planet and its future.”
The final episode highlights the conservationists, photographers, and scientists protecting the continent, building upon the 70-year partnership between National Geographic and Rolex. Arnaud Boetsch, a Rolex executive, noted that the series aims to spark both wonder and hope by spotlighting frontline conservation efforts.
“Across seven episodes, the extraordinary filmmaking reveals that protecting Africa’s wild heart starts with understanding its fragile ecosystems,” Boetsch said.
Produced by the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, “Africa Earth’s Wild Home” premieres on National Geographic on October 2 and will stream on Disney+ and Hulu on October 3.
Wait, a bat-hunting crocodile in caves? I need to watch this immediately. The CGI sounds incredible but the animal stories are the real draw here.
Love that they centered local guides instead of just Western academics. That approach really makes the footage feel authentic and respectful.