Africa

In Africa's ancient south west corner, two extraordinary deserts sit side by side. Water is in short supply, yet these deserts are somehow full of life because the creatures that live here have turned the rules of survival on their head. This episode celebrates nature's ingenuity, no matter how tough it gets.

East Africa is a land which is constantly changing. To survive here, creatures must be able to deal with unpredictable twists and turns - wet turning to dry, famine to feast, cold to hot - no matter how hostile and unpredictable it becomes. From dense forests, to snow capped peaks, steamy swamps to endless savannah, this unique and varied land is also a haven for life.

The Congo rainforest covers the very heart of Africa, it is a dynamic and pulsating habitat, packed with life. From the competitive center of the forest to the open edge of the Atlantic Ocean, this is all about carving out space in a crowded world. Here in the Congo, no matter how tough the competition, you must stand up and fight for yourself and your patch.

Southern Africa is a riot of life and color. But if it was not for two great ocean currents that sweep around and shape the continent's Great Cape it would be a desert. This episode celebrates the rejuvenating powers of the ocean.

North Africa is home to the greatest desert on Earth, the Sahara. In this haunting wilderness, dunes 'sing', sandstorms stretch for a thousand miles and rain may not fall for 50 years. But it wasn't always like this. This is a story of an apocalypse and how, when nature is overrun, some are forced to flee, some endure, but a few seize the opportunity to establish a new order.

What does it take to make a natural history series like Africa? This Making Of follows the crew as they capture some of the most memorable scenes from the show.