Watch Stephen Tompkinson's Great African Balloon Adventure

Stephen Tompkinson's Great African Balloon Adventure is a five-part series produced by Tiger Aspect Productions that follows British actor and adventurer Stephen Tompkinson as he embarks on a spectacular hot air balloon journey across Botswana's majestic landscape.

The show begins with Tompkinson arriving in the Botswana capital of Gaborone where he meets his team at the Nata Sanctuary, the place where his adventure will begin. The series takes us on a journey across some of Africa's most stunning landscapes including the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, the Okavango Delta and the Moremi Game Reserve. Each episode follows Tompkinson as he immerses himself in the unique culture and wildlife of Botswana, highlighting the incredible beauty of this African country.

Throughout the journey, Tompkinson is joined by wildlife expert and conservationist, Karen Paolillo, who serves as the show's guide and shares her knowledge of the local wildlife with Tompkinson and the viewers. In each episode, Tompkinson and Paolillo explore Botswana's wildlife, including lions, elephants, and wildebeest, among others. The duo also takes part in various cultural activities such as learning traditional songs and dances from the San people, one of the oldest ethnic groups in southern Africa.

Another fascinating aspect of the show is the hot air balloon itself. The envelope, basket, and burner form an integral part of the show, and for most of the journey, Tompkinson and his team travel in the balloon. We see the joy and excitement in his face as he soars above the African plains and a bird's-eye view of the terrain. Through the balloons, we get an entirely new vantage point of the animals, landscapes, and scenery of the country.

Stephen Tompkinson's Great African Balloon Adventure also highlights the conservation efforts that are taking place across Botswana. Throughout the show, Tompkinson witnesses the efforts of those working to protect the country's wildlife, including relocating elephants from areas where human-wildlife conflict has become an issue. The series also brings up the importance of eco-tourism in providing a sustainable source of income for both the local communities and the environment.

One of the most striking things about this series is how it's filmed, with breathtaking aerial shots, sweeping camera pans and slow-motion footage shot from drones. The cinematography by the production team is stellar, and the gorgeous landscapes of Botswana truly shine in every scene. The sound design is another aspect of the show that emphasizes the beauty of Botswana's landscape, with traditional African music tracks and sounds of the savannah highlighting every moment of the journey.

Overall, Stephen Tompkinson's Great African Balloon Adventure is an excellent adventure series that captures the awe-inspiring beauty of Africa. Stephen Tompkinson's enthusiastic spirit, curiosity, affinity with wildlife, and willingness to step out of his comfort zone makes him a relatable figure and a great guide on this incredible journey. At times, it feels like we are right there alongside him, soaring over the African plains as we discover the majesty of this remarkable continent.