Watch Africa's Wild Horizons

Africa's Wild Horizons is a breathtaking nature documentary series that showcases the magnificent beauty and diversity of wildlife in Africa. Produced by Smithsonian Earth, this series takes viewers on a journey through some of the wildest and most remote areas on the continent, capturing intimate moments in the lives of Africa’s most iconic animals.

Each episode of Africa's Wild Horizons explores a different habitat, ranging from lush rainforests to vast savannas, and from arid deserts to rugged mountains. Through stunning cinematography, viewers are transported directly into the heart of these environments, where they can witness the daily struggles and triumphs of the creatures that call them home.

One of the standout features of Africa's Wild Horizons is the way it showcases the interconnectedness of different species in these ecosystems. Viewers are shown how animals as diverse as elephants, lions, hyenas, and vultures all play important roles in maintaining the delicate balance of life in their habitats. They see how a single change – such as a drought, or the arrival of a new predator – can have far-reaching effects on the entire ecosystem.

Another highlight of this series is the way it introduces viewers to lesser-known animals that are no less fascinating or important than their more famous counterparts. From the elusive pangolin to the aardvark to the hyrax, Africa's Wild Horizons provides a window into the lives of these often-overlooked creatures, revealing their unique adaptations and behaviors.

But the real stars of Africa's Wild Horizons are, of course, the big cats. The show provides ample coverage of lions, leopards, and cheetahs, showing them at their most regal and their most vulnerable. Viewers get to witness the incredible hunting skills of these predators, as well as their social bonds and familial relationships. Moments like a lioness teaching her cubs to hunt, or a leopard stealthily stalking its prey, are captured in exquisite detail.

One of the most remarkable things about Africa's Wild Horizons is the way it captures the sheer power and majesty of these animals. Many scenes in the show are truly awe-inspiring, from a herd of elephants silhouetted against a fiery sunset to a pack of wild dogs executing a lightning-fast takedown of an impala. The show also doesn't shy away from showing the brutal realities of life in the wild; scenes of animals killing and eating each other may be difficult for some viewers to watch, but they are an essential part of the natural order.

Throughout the series, the narration strikes a perfect balance between being informative and engaging. Viewers learn interesting facts about each animal they encounter, but the focus is always on telling a compelling story. The writing and delivery are both top-notch, striking the right tone of wonder and respect for the natural world.

Africa's Wild Horizons originally aired in 2015 and ran for five seasons until 2020. During that time, it won numerous accolades for its cinematography, including a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Cinematography for a Nonfiction Program. The show was filmed over a period of four years, with crews travelling to over 20 different countries across Africa to capture footage.

Overall, Africa's Wild Horizons is a stunning piece of nature filmmaking that will leave viewers awestruck and inspired. It manages to find new perspectives on the well-trodden genre of wildlife documentaries, introducing audiences to new creatures and environments while still capturing the raw power and beauty of Africa's most famous animals. Whether you're a seasoned nature lover or new to the genre, this series is not to be missed.

Africa's Wild Horizons is a series that ran for 2 seasons (11 episodes) between November 3, 2015 and on Smithsonian Earth