History Channel Expedition: Africa (2009)

With only a compass and some simple maps, four 21st-century explorers follow in the footsteps of journalist Henry Morton Stanley, who famously journeyed to the heart of Tanzania in 1871 to locate Dr. David Livingstone. Navigator Pasquale Scaturro, wildlife expert Mireya Mayor, survival pro Benedict Allen and journalist Kevin Sites travel 970 miles across the breathtaking African landscape in this gripping adventure series.

Mark Burnett, I presume? The executive producer of Survivor puts his inimitable stamp on this compelling History Channel series that follows four explorers as they endeavor to re-create one of history's greatest adventures, journalist Henry Morton Stanley's 1871 trek into Africa to find missing explorer David Livingstone. Using only a compass and basic maps, navigator Pasquale, survivalist Benedict, journalist Kevin, and wildlife expert Mireya embark on their 970-mile odyssey through jungles and swamps, over mountains (that Stanley had the good sense to go around), across deserts, and along wild rivers. They face killer snakes and ferocious crocs and harsh, brutal conditions. As Mireya states at one point, "You plan and plan and plan and Africa happens." Expedition: Africa is not a contest, but the quartet has a self-imposed a deadline of completing in 30 days what took Stanley nine months. This would be reality enough for anyone, but as with Burnett's Survivor and The Apprentice, the real drama is in the personality clashes that are heightened in interview segments. Pasquale, who has led expeditions up Everest, takes charge of the group and sets a punishing pace. Where Mireya is apt to stop to impart fascinating facts about the flora and fauna, Pasquale is more "Pick the frickin' flower … and let's talk about it down in the bottom." The resourceful Benedict, an "I don't take orders well" type, also clashes with Pasquale. The challenge at the heart of the series is for the individuals to come together as a team. Armchair Indiana Joneses and vicarious travelers will find themselves enthralled by Africa's magnificent landscapes. This series could also inspire a drinking game: raise your glass each time someone says "twende" (which means "let's go") or "expedition," as in "we have to take control of the expedition as expeditionists." Bonus feature segments about the making of the series, Stanley's original expedition, the native Masai, Africa's dangers, and survival strategies further immerse viewers in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Mireya opens the door for a sequel when she says at journey's end that she hopes there will be other expeditions.


Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 5/31/2009 1. Zanzibar and Bagamoyo; Lost in Africa
	In the premiere episode, clashing egos, personality conflicts and disorganization threaten to sink the expedition before it even begins. Pasquale and Benedict squabble as each tries to take command, while Mireya, the only woman on the expedition, proves more than up to the challenge ahead.. Kevin is smart and motivated, but his inexperience almost proves costly. As they find out more about the history of Stanley's expedition, the explorers realize that the journey will be much more difficult than anticipated.
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 6/7/2009 2. Uluguru Mountains; First Victim
	The group starts a treacherous climb up a mountain pass, but things get complicated when one member of the team collapses with a serious condition.
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 6/14/2009 3. Hunters Become The Hunted
	The explorers make their way down treacherous mountains into equally dangerous plains, where illness, injury, and predators are just some of the challenges they will face.
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 6/21/2009 4. African Monsoon
	Terrible weather conditions turn the expedition into a struggle for survival. As the explorers begin the day’s hike, they realize the rainy season is closing in on them more quickly than they thought. Their progress is hampered by heavy downpours, and the group begins to fear hypothermia as they are forced to slog through mud and rain. When serious illness hits one member of the expedition, the explorers begin to wonder if they will ever get out of Sagara
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 6/28/2009 5. Danger In the Desert
	In this episode, the explorers arrive at the Bahi Swamp, which despite its name is a harsh desert landscape. The explorers arrange for donkeys to help carry supplies for the next stage of the trip, and plan to beat the heat by setting out early. Tempers begin to fray when things don’t work out as planned, and things only get worse when the group sees what’s ahead of them: a massive stretch of desert with no shade or protection from the sun. Will divisions jeopardize their survival?
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 7/5/2009 6. Malaria Claims an Explorer
	enedict and Pasquale reach an uneasy truce as the explorers trek to Tabora, site of the Livingstone house. There, one of the team comes down with malaria – ironically, the same place where Stanley contracted it. This puts the future of the expedition entirely in question. In the end, they decide to continue, and the Expedition heads off toward an uncertain future, knowing any relapse could lead to their failure. Time is critical if they want to make Ujiji in 30 days. With one of the team ill and needing care, the balance of power changes, and the group is exhausted. They make camp, but must build fires to ward off the danger from hippos. After a decision to rest for a day, confrontations ensue. Two of the team get into a huge fight, putting team unity – and hope for a successful expedition – into shambles.
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 7/12/2009 7. Heart of Darkness
	Spirits are on the upswing as the expedition starts its trek to the Malagarasi. With the finish line is finally in sight, the three experienced explorers use their common love of exploration to help them put aside their differences and enjoy the remainder of the expedition while Kevin has his sights set on the finish line. The group reaches an abandoned village where they reluctantly set up camp near croc-infested waters (they would learn that the village was abandoned because crocs attacked the children). Pasquale and Benedict find themselves getting along, while Kevin grows frustrated. The next day, Pasquale wants to get moving early because thunderstorms and danger loom on the horizon. They make their way to their next campsite, where a night of chatting leads the explorers to open up about their pasts and gives them a better perspective on their fellow expedition mates. The next day, they will begin the final trek toward Ujiji. They must say goodbye to the porters who have helped them come this far. But now, traveling alone, the rains come...
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 7/12/2009 8. The Final Chapter
	As the team waits out the heavy rains, the explorers recognize that, above all else, they want to make it to Ujiji as a cohesive unit. They work together to bury and resolve their differences.
Seen it: Yes 1 hr 0 mins 9. Making Of & Conclusion

	Benedict Allen	Himself
	Kevin Sites	Himself
	Mireya Mayor	Herself
	Pasquale Scaturro	Himself
	Julius	Himself - Head Porter