Africa

See our wonderful Africa travel videos, DVD, to explore this fascinating continent. Witness Africa with sightseeing videos to help you plan your next trip. See everything! 4-Volume Beautiful Boxed Set. From National Geographic Television and Thirteen/WNET New York. AFRICA is a groundbreaking nine-hour series captured over two years of filming in 11 countries. This epic series presents Africa through the eyes of its people, conveying the diversity and beauty of the land and the compelling personal stories of the people who shape its future. AFRICA contains 8 hours PLUS one-hour bonus program "The Making of AFRICA". Also available on 5-Set VHS. Episode 1: Savanna Homecoming ~ A tale of two women on separate, personal journeys between East African cities and the wild savanna unfolds against the backdrop of one of the greatest animal migrations on earth. Episode 2: Desert Odyssey ~ A young Tuareg boy embarks on his first camel caravan - a six-month, 1,500-mile trek across the fiery dunes of the Sahara. Episode 3: Voices of the Forest ~ Logging endangers the rain forest of the Congo River basin, and the livelihood of the Baka people who call it home. Episode 4: Mountains of Faith! Two young men follow separate, rigorous paths to manhood in Ethiopia. One seeks spiritual fulfillment in the rugged mountains and the other, material success in the city. Episode 5: Love in the Sahel ~ On the edge of the Sahara, two very different young men are about to take part in separate rituals marking their passage into manhood. Episode 6: Restless Waters ~ The fortunes of two families hang in the balance along the shores of Lake Victoria and 500 miles away in Tanzania's Kilombero Valley. Episode 7: Leopards of Zanzibar ~ The Leopards, an amateur soccer team of Zanzibari fisherman face daunting challenges when they qualify for a championship match on the Tanzanian mainland. Episode 8: Southern Treasures ~ In post-apartheid South Africa, a group of bushmen reclaim a homeland they haven't seen for over 50 years, while in Johannesburg, a new generation is reinventing a nation. Bonus Program: Three directors, 16 countries, 57 film crews, an enormous research and production team, and one massive continent. Meet the people behind the scenes of AFRICA as they overcome challenge after challenge to create on of the most ambitious series ever produced for television.

Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. Africa's culture has been enriched by the proud and famous Massai, a noble tribe of herdsmen and the spacious plains of Kenya and Tanzania are their homeland. As the Massai did not tolerate foreign hunters, the area of Amboseli at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro has in the main been spared from poachers. Much of the summit of the huge mountain is covered by cloud and at nearly six thousand metres above sea level it is Africa's highest mountain. Tens of thousands of flamingos transform Lake Bogoria into a colourful spectacle and its many geysers give the landscape an air of mystique, the hot springs highlighting the enormous energy that lies beneath the earth's surface. Located at the southern tip of Africa, South Africa is surrounded by two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian. Both the country and its inhabitants are in many ways remarkable and the cultural variety of several ethnic communities has been well maintained. The Kalahari in Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the world yet it has been inhabited for thousands of years: its Bushmen are proud of their long history. The San are a tribe of hunter gatherers who continue to use their extraordinary knowledge of nature right up to the present day. Just off the Tanzanian coast is the legendary island of Zanzibar once feared because of pirates but at the same time appreciated for its marvellous spices and in the ancient town of Stone Town several buildings have been restored and now shine out once again in all of their historic glory. Africa, the Dark Continent - but with all the fascinating colours of the rainbow!

40 Minutes Africa: The Serengeti vividly details life and death in an unforgettable film experience. Filmed entirely on location in Kenya and Tanzania, Africa: The Serengeti brings you spectacular vistas and dynamic aerials. It also features Africa's greatest predators -- lions, crocodiles and cheetahs -- in deadly pursuit of the migrating prey. "There is a place on Earth where it is still the morning of life and great herds still run free." -James Earl Jones Narrated by James Earl Jones, with musical score by Hans Zimmer and George Cadebe. Directed by George Casey. English, Castillian, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Spanish English 40 minutes Color. c2002

40 Minutes. James Earl Jones narrates this stunning, award-winning IMAX film that explores the natural beauty and timeless cycles of Africa's Serengeti plains. The highlight is a spectacle that few humans have witnessed--the great migration--during which 2 million wildebeests, zebras and antelope travel over 500 miles across the plains. Imax - Africa: The Serengeti Reviews: "...An effective drama about the natural world....The film is full of dazzling visuals..." -- Lynn Voedisch, Chicago Sun-Times.

60 Minutes. An extended elephant family, featuring a venerable Old Bull, embarks upon a life-and death journey across the vast African plains. Through oppressive conditions they persevere, facing the extraordinary joys and sorrows of life. Seen either on the massive IMAX screen (where it was originally projected) or in the living room, AFRICA'S ELEPHANT KINGDOM is visually breathtaking. Produced by the nature cable network, the Discovery Channel, the documentary tracks the daily existence of Africa's exotic, enigmatic elephants--huge creatures whose size and gentleness has given them a universal appeal. The 40 minute film takes the viewer up and close and personal into the elephants' world, giving curious watches an unprecedented glimpse into their lives. Imax - Africa's Elephant Kingdom Reviews: "...It has drama, humor, birth, death, climax and plot wrap-up all arranged by nature. It's real-life script is made all the more compelling by a feature that allows us to grow attached to its subjects..." -- Kevin M. Williams, Chicago Sun-Times.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. The hectic pace of contemporary life can turn into a monotonous daily routine which never seems to end but, occasionally, the spirit of adventure comes to the fore, a burning desire to do something a little different. And what better than an airborne African safari in a hot air balloon! As the sun rises above the Earth, unique ever-changing horizons appear as Nature begins to stir and even the trees seem to delight in the dawning of a new day.Civilization appears to be a long way away and, from the airy heights of the balloon, nothing disturbs the balance of nature below. Everything is in perfect harmony as the sun illuminates each detail of the landscape and the balloon allows us to see nature at its most revealing. And soon one forgets various preconceived ideas about Africa: it is not just a land of scorched earth but one of lush green vegetation, an intense green that stamps itself indelibly into the memory. While the balloon's shadow drifts across the African terrain we stare down inquisitively at the ground below, the native inhabitants going about their daily tasks oblivious to our presence, hunting for food and rearing their young as they have done for thousands of years.

DVD. Places We Go. 45 Minutes. Host Jennifer Adams and her boyfriend Clint are on a mission to explore East Africa and that includes its tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro, the gorillas in Rwanda and the great Serengeti plans of Tanzania. Journey with them on this incredible adventure!

(Plus Combo Pack) 110 Minutes. "...the greatest nature cinematography on earth."-The New York Times. Program One: Victoria Falls - Flowing from its source 1,000 miles to the north, the Zambezi River reaches the edge of one world and plummets 350 feet into another. Victoria Falls, spanning the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, is over a mile wide. No other waterfall in the world can match her scale, and many consider her one of the "seven natural wonders of the world." Academy Award?-winner F. Murray Abraham narrates. Rating: TV-G. Program Two: Drakensberg: Barrier of Spears - Rising sharply from the South African landscape, cliffs like spines of a dragon form the majestic Drakensberg Mountains. Born of Jurassic molten lava, they span more than 600 miles and tower more than 10,000 feet. Despite the impossible terrain and unpredictable weather, Drakensberg is home to a fascinating array of animals in search of greener pastures. Academy Award?-winner F. Murray Abraham narrates. Rating: TV-G. Blu-ray Plus Combo Pack- In addition to the Blu-ray disc, this combo pack also includes: 1. DVD version of the program(s) that you can play in your DVD player, vehicle or computer. 2. Digital copy of the program that you can download to your computer and/or transfer to your mobile devices.

DVD. ESOVISION Relaxation. 26 Minutes. In an increasingly hurried and busy world, it is important to take time out to relax, to recharge one’s batteries, chillout and perhaps enjoy a little self-indulgence. The desert can be an amazing and mesmerizing place that captures the imagination and creates a mirage of your wildest dreams. Come and enjoy this amazing world of seemingly endless spaces and experience the sublime pleasure that the combination of natural splendor and beautiful music can bring. This is a special journey that relaxes the mind and soothes the soul.

6-Volume Beautiful Boxed Set. The continent of Africa has always been a place of mystery and adventure. Early explorers wrote about fantastic herds of animals, and blood thirsty cannibals, while others spoke of huge tusked beasts and horse-like creatures with 20 foot long necks. the early accounts were often discounted as fantastic tales made up by promoters and con men. When American president Theodore Roosevelt made a trip to Africa right after the turn of the century the whole world was fascinated, and finally the stories of huge beasts and strange people were taken seriously. Classic Safari Films is a 6 DVD collection that includes four of the earliest documentary films ever made on safaris and African Wildlife. Included is the first sound movie made in Africa- Congorilla- plus three other films shot by Martin and Osa Johnson during their travels. You'll witness Lion and Rhino charges, herds of Zebra and Wildebeest in the Serengeti, giant Crocodiles in the Nile, and many scenes that have not been witnesses in decades. This is Africa as it was before humans tamed and explored it. This is dangerous, mysterious, un-explored Africa where elephants with 100 lb tusks were still common, and the land still wild for thousands of miles in any direction. Also included in the set are two of the best known Hollywood features that deal with adventure in Africa: snows of Kilimanjaro, and King Solomon's Mines. Both are classics in their own right, and were at the time of their release considered two of the finest films ever made by Hollywood. As a fascinating and historically significant set, Classic safari Films is without peer. It is simply the best of the best, and is destined to be a collector's item to anyone interested in exploration, wildlife, safaris, and adventure. Simba (1927) Simba astonishes with some of the most spectacular images of Africa's people and wildlife. Filmed from 1924 to 1927, Simba creates a remarkable portrait and an invaluable record of lost cultures through encounters with the people of Kenya and Tanzania. The DVD soundtrack features live music performed at the Kansas Silent Film Festival showing of Simba in 2004. Congorilla (1932) The first sound movie made entirely in Africa, congorilla premiered in 1932 and permitted audiences to hear what they had only been able to see during previous safari films. Martin and Osa Johnson began in Kenya and Tanzania before moving on to the Uganda and the Congo basin. Along the way, they filmed zebra in the Serengeti, charging rhino in the Northern Frontier District, and recorded exciting encounters with crocodiles and hippos as they went down the Nile. The latter part of the film is devoted to the seven months the filmmakers spent in the Ituri Forest with the Mbuti people as they captured village life despite the high humidity which caused batteries to deteriorate, wires and connections to corrode, and mildew to form on camera cases. Baboona (1935) The 1935 Morro films, shot by Martin and Osa Johnson, recount the 60,000 mile "flying safari" undertaken by the filmmakers as they flew their two amphibian airplanes ( the zebra-striped Osa's Ark and the giraffe-spotted Spirit of Africa) from Capetown, South Africa to Cairo, Egypt. Famous shots from the movie include the first ever aerial pictures of the tops of Africa's tallest peaks, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya along the journey, Martin filmed Osa surrounded by a pride of lions and together they captured amazing scenes of a baboon colony, an event striking enough to give the movie its name. I Married Adventure (1940) A 1940 Columbia Picture feature film, I Married Adventure stars Osa Johnson and closely follows her 1940 best-selling book of the same name. Osa portrays herself in studio-produced scenes which bridge the transition between actual documentary footage segments as the film recounts the Johnson's nine world expeditions to Africa, Borneo, and the South Seas. Jim Bannon, a Hollywood stuntman who lent his voice to many westerns including Red Ryder, Don Clark, and Albert Duffy narrate this adventure classic that compiles the very best images from the Johnsons' original feature films. Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952) Ernest Hemingway could never come to terms with the stereotypical happy ending and although Snows of Kilimanjaro is his story, he could never bring himself to see the movie version. In Snows of Kilimanjaro, Gregory Peck plays if. Scott Fitzgerald who is on safari in the African mountains with his lady friend played by Susan Hayward. Fitzgerald is seriously wounded while hunting and in the few hours he has left, he reflects upon his life and believes it has been wasted in pursuit of money, instead of spent contributing to the greater good. The movie's producer dictated that the end of the movie differ from the Hemingway's short story - the happy ending has the author Fitzgerald surviving his injuries and determined to write something of lasting value. Snows of Kilimanjaro features a wonderful musical score and on-location photography. King Solomon's Mine (1937) The plot of this classic film gets under way when Anna Lee organizes an expedition to locate her father, legendary explorer Quartermaine, who has disappeared in the wilds of Africa while searching for King Solomon's Mines, a fabled diamond repository. Umbopa, a native guide played by Paul Robeson (a singing star of the day) has a secret motivation for guiding the expedition: to reclaim the tribal throne wrested from him by treacherous with doctor Gagool (played by Sydney Fairbrother). At first treated as gods by the natives, the explorers soon find their lives imperiled. Thanks to umbopa's know-how, the explorers are saved from horrible death and the evil tribesmen are overthrown. As for king Solomon's Mines, Quartermaine and his party finally locate the fabled diamond cache-and then fate deals an ironic hand...

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Cyrene, the 'Athens of Africa', is an ancient city on the slopes of the green mountain of Kyrenaika, a coastal region in eastern Libya. A kind of natural canyon connects the lower city with the upper city that originated later. In the rock walls of the canyons, on the same level as the lower city, are a number of well preserved caves in which the Greeks had their baths. These bathing places contained niches and annexes and were supplied with water by the Apollon Spring of Kyre. The Forum became the centre of city life, built above a Greek agora and surrounded by temples and monuments, like that of the Greek Ship Monument that was erected following a successful battle at sea, with the winged goddess of victory, Nike, on the bow of a stone ship. The ruins of Cyrene have survived for thousands of years and continue to fascinate with all the intriguing mystique of antiquity.

DVD. The World Atlas. 44 Minutes. The Atlas steps into the digital age. A new one-of-a-kind World Atlas covering all parts of the globe with animated maps from Rand McNally and in-depth cultural and historical information. Each episode is dedicated to different countries, containing four distinct features - physical geography, political geography, popular locations, and thematic maps. The new digitally animated one-of-a-kind version of an Atlas of the World like you have never seen before!

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Ghat is the only large oasis in the southwest of Libya and once an important caravan stop at the junction of several caravan routes. Even today, it is an important centre for the Tuareg of this region. Today, the historic old town is uninhabited but its stone walls and air-dried mud tiles still remain. The striking white minaret of a mosque dominates the town. It was once the official residence of the Ottoman governor of Ghat and also served as a refuge in which the town's inhabitants sought shelter when there was danger of attack. The first written documents of Ghat date back to the middle of the nineteenth century, when the Turks overthrew the town and appointed a governor. The inland remained in the hands of the Tuareg and the Orares, Iforas and Imanrasates tribes. Ghat has always been the centre for the Tuareg in this remote region and today, they transport tourists through the desert on all-terrain vehicles! Ghat is a precious legacy of our civilisation and one that hopefully will continue to survive for many years to come.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The desert town of Ghadames is situated in the three country triangle of Libya, Tunisia and Algeria and is tantamount to being an historical oasis that lies within the Libyan desert. The Islamic Cemetery just outside the city gates is an impressive sight and a reminder that the town was once an important centre of the region's caravan trading routes. A seven kilometre long wall surrounds the town that is entered via seven gates. In the corridors and gateways of the local architecture that consists of mud and gypsum, are protective signs in Kufi calligraphy. Saharan art is a mixture of Arab-Islamic, Berber and Byzantine influences. In 1986, the fascinating oasis town, with its long history and age-old traditions was designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Although the drawings and paintings on the walls will eventually suffer due to the gradual decay of the mud buildings, Ghadames' cultural legacy will hopefully remain in tact.

Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. The Congo contains some of the most fascinating natural wildlife habitats in Africa. This fascinating country is home to a remarkable creature, the Mountain Gorilla. Our destination is the Virunga National Park that extends along the borders of the Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Close to the border with Uganda is the village of Goma that contains several dwellings and a good market that displays an amazing variety of exotic fruit. After a short but very welcome break the journey continues in a four-wheel drive minibus but this does not last very long as it soon becomes necessary to travel by foot, a daunting prospect but also one inspired by the possibility of spotting the rare Mountain Gorilla in its natural habitat on a journey that will take around two days. The excitement continues to mount as a tree, or even a bush, could suddenly reveal one of the region's remarkable Mountain Gorillas. Suddenly from behind a bush the first one appears! Unlike their reputation of old, these mighty creatures are far from aggressive and Man originally thought of these animals as highly dangerous and unpredictable. However recent studies have proven that this is untrue and that the gorilla is an exceptionally peace loving creature. Even today the precise size of the gorilla population is not known. However, it is believed that around three hundred and eighty Mountain Gorillas inhabit the protected region of the Virunga Mountains. Various sounds such as screaming, whimpering, barking and grunting play an important if not vital role in the daily communication of the gorilla as the various members of a group may not see each other for much of the time. By communicating in this way they learn of the mood and current whereabouts of the other members of the group. On average an adult utters around eight sounds an hour. Due to constant supervision and strict policing these fascinating creatures that were until quite recently threatened with extinction, have managed to survive to the present day. Long may this continue!

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. The Kalahari is a unique habitat in Southern Africa, a world full of austere beauty and fascinating inhabitants. Only a few marks in the sand indicate the presence of Man. The Kalahari is often mistakenly described as a desert as in this region in the heart of Botswana. It is more like an arid savannah and most visitors are surprised by the exceptionally large biodiversity of the local flora and fauna. On the border of the Central Kalahari Wild Reserve is the luxurious Deception Valley Lodge with first class accommodation and even a swimming pool. It is not only an ideal starting point for various safaris, it is also an ideal place in which to relax after an exhausting tour of the surrounding wilderness. Suddenly, two men appear. They are Bushmen, one of the most legendary ethnic groups in Africa. The Kalahari Bushmen have for more than 25,000 years lived in harmony with nature in this semi-desert that is also a hostile environment. However, they have managed to survive without disrupting the ecology of their surroundings. Within the branches of a tree our two guides discover the remains of a dead creature that a lion has left to retrieve later in the day. As the tree is surrounded by bones it appears that the lion appears to favor this particular location. We continue our walkabout through the dry savannah while the two bushmen provide us with a very welcome sense of security. Despite its desert-like appearance, the Kalahari contains around 250 edible plants.The gathering of plants is one of the main duties of the women while hunting has always been a male domain. Only here in this relatively small area of the Kalahari is there still a home for the legendary Bushmen. Desperate, but far from defeated, they attempt to preserve their cultural heritage for future generations to come.

DVD. Nature Wonders. 10 Minutes. Acacus

DVD. Terra Mystica. 26 Minutes.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. Selous is Africa's oldest and largest game reserve and is the habitat of many rare animals. It also contains more than 400 bird species and some fascinating flora. There is no precise timetable for the train that will arrive from Zambia, it could arrive at virtually any moment and the train stops at the Selous Game Reserve twice a week.Most of the railroad is made up of a single track and only a few stations have sidings that permit the railroads' freight trains to make way for the Mukuba Express. Despite the railroad and its safari travellers, Selous has retained its original and unspoiled splendour right up to the present day. Over the years many of the old train stations have been abandoned and now look like sad relics of a bygone age. The historic origins of this extraordinary railroad date back to German colonial times at the beginning of the 20th century. What was once known as The Middle Land Railroad was one of the most technically challenging and expensive projects of East Africa's German colonists. Today the 1,254 kilometre railroad is an important reminder of those bygone days. In the late afternoon the train reaches its final destination of Dar-Es-Salaam and this unforgettable and captivating train journey comes to an end.

DVD. African Secrets. 30 Minutes. This episode shows various dances from different cultures in Southern Africa. The episode is shot at Victoria Falls where tourists from around the globe can enjoy the art of dancing. The drumming, the humming and singing and the gestures all combine to show the uniqueness of African traditional dancing. The attire of the dancers by itself also speaks the story of Africa. The Nyau, Makishi and Ndebele dancers are only a few of the dancing groups showcasing their talent in the African night in this video. The dancing routines shown by these groups are similar within the region. In Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia- one can find the same dances.