Watch Africa's Wild Havens

Africa's Wild Havens is a documentary series from Smithsonian Channel that premiered in 2016 with Stephen Busken as the host. The show transports viewers on an immersive journey through Africa's wildest national parks, private reserves, and conservation areas. The series consists of six episodes, each focusing on a different destination. From the famous Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the lesser-known Lülkünezi Wildlife Sanctuary in Namibia, the show offers an up-close look at some of Africa's most breathtaking landscapes, diverse wildlife, and inspiring conservation efforts.

One of the most striking things about Africa's Wild Havens is its stunning cinematography. The show's producers have captured footage of animals such as elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs in their natural habitats, giving viewers an intimate look at how these creatures live, hunt, and interact with one another. Scenes of migrating wildebeests or a leopard and her cubs playing on the savannah are captivating and awe-inspiring.

Another highlight of the show is Busken's narration. An experienced wildlife guide in Africa, Busken is passionate about the region's conservation efforts and has a wealth of knowledge about the wildlife that calls these areas home. His enthusiasm is infectious, and he does an excellent job of conveying the importance of protecting and preserving Africa's wild spaces for future generations.

The first episode of the series takes viewers to the Okavango Delta in Botswana, one of Africa's most famous wildlife destinations. Known for its vast wetlands and incredible diversity of animals, the Okavango is a critical habitat for elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species. The episode highlights the ways in which local communities are working to conserve this precious ecosystem and the challenges they face in balancing conservation and economic development.

Another episode focuses on the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania, one of the largest wildlife reserves in the world. The reserve is home to a variety of predators, including lions, cheetahs, and African wild dogs, as well as large herds of buffalo and elephants. The episode explores the complex relationships between different species in the reserve and the ways in which conservationists are working to protect them from threats such as poaching and habitat destruction.

Other episodes take viewers to Namibia's Skeleton Coast National Park, a rugged coastal desert that is home to a unique array of wildlife, including desert-adapted lions and elephants, and Kenya's Maasai Mara National Reserve, one of the best places in Africa to view the great wildebeest migration.

Overall, Africa's Wild Havens is a must-watch for anyone interested in African wildlife and conservation. The show is a stunning visual feast that is both informative and inspiring. Through its exploration of Africa's wildest places and the people working to protect them, it offers a compelling vision of how humans can coexist with wild animals and preserve the planet's most precious ecosystems.

Africa's Wild Havens is a series that ran for 1 seasons (3 episodes) between August 31, 2016 and on Smithsonian CHANNEL