Gift Of The Rains: Africa's Great Rivers
In this series we choose 13 dramatically different rivers, each with its own unique characteristics, from the powerful Zambezi to the dry Hoanib River – a river that flows for only a few days a year. Each river flows through a different part of Africa, bringing life to dry deserts, flooding great plains and supplying constant water to tropical forests and bushveld. Some of the wildlife surrounding each of the chosen rivers is endemic, each species part of a unique ecosystem. The rivers have a formative influence on the lives of animals and plants that live along its banks and in its waters. Uniquely for television, we show detailed underwater sequences of creatures that live and hunt in the rivers of Africa. We follow the hunting techniques of the tiger fish, the protective instincts of mouth-brooding tilapia, the migratory instincts of barbel to reach spawning grounds, the eating habits of scavenging eels, and the hunting strategies of the fishing spider. Along the water’s edge, we show the nest-making rituals of migrant birds, the fishing methods of shoebills, herons and cormorants and the life cycles of frogs. And when the waters dry up we will show how terrapins, fish and mammals manage to survive in the harshness of their arid habitat.
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Where to Watch(AU)
Streaming data provided by JustWatch via TMDB.
Seasons
- Ep 1
1.Hoanib – The Hidden River
01-01-2001In the desert wilderness of Namibia, on southern Africa’s western coast, an unusual river lies hidden beneath the scorching sand for most of the year. It is an ephemeral river – a...
- Ep 2
2.Zambezi – The Mighty River
02-01-2001Africa’s landscape is sculpted by some formidable rivers and the Zambezi is one of the continent’s mightiest. It is a river to which man has attributed a spirit of its own. Its cou...
- Ep 3
3.Luangwa – River of Extremes
03-01-2001Hidden between the mountains of Africa’s Rift Valley flows a majestic river that brings an abundant surge of water to the Luangwa Valley. But this abundance does not last throughou...
- Ep 4
4.Okavango – The Miracle River
04-01-2001One of Africa’s most remarkable rivers spreads its waters over the desolate plains of the Kalahari Desert, forming the largest inland delta on Earth, the Okavango. Fed by the summe...
- Ep 5
5.Mara – River of Strife
05-01-2001The seasons bring life to the valleys forged by the African rivers, but they also play a part in nature’s tragedies. For most of the year, the Mara River flows peacefully through t...
- Ep 6
6.Victoria Nile – River of Beginnings
06-01-2001The quest to find the source of the Nile built and shattered explorers’ dreams for centuries, until it was eventually discovered that the river’s birthplace is Lake Victoria. The f...
- Ep 7
7.Shire – River of Fertility
07-01-2001The Shire River is one of the few African rivers that flows steadily and peacefully throughout the year. It flows serenely through southern Malawi, fed by the abundant waters of La...
- Ep 8
8.Sand – River of Riches
08-01-2001The Sand River is shorter and smaller than many of Africa’s rivers, but it has great importance because it supports such an abundance of wildlife. The river is born in the Drakensb...
- Ep 9
9.Limpopo – River of Giants
09-01-2001The Limpopo River in Southern Africa is a giant, not only in its size, but also in the wealth of animal life it supports. In the dry season, the river is the only source of water...
- Ep 10
10.Rufiji – The Perennial River
10-01-2001The Rufiji River flows through Tanzania in East Africa, through the vast Selous Game Reserve – the largest reserve in the whole of Africa. It is home to a variety of creatures such...
- Ep 11
11.Olifants – River of Treasures
11-01-2001At the southern tip of Africa, the Olifants River flows through and nourishes the unique Cape Floral Kingdom. Despite being the smallest of the world’s six plant kingdoms, it is th...
- Ep 12
12.Pongola – The Generous River
12-01-2001When in flood, the Pongola River creates a whole new wild world of quiet backwaters, hidden animals and ancient rituals. The river is born in the Drakensburg, and flows through one...
- Ep 13
13.Ogooue – River of the Rains
13-01-2001The Ogooue River flows throughout the year through the lush tropical rainforest of Gabon in West Africa. The country is an unspoiled wildlife haven where nature is almost untouched...
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