Endless Horizon (2012) Movie Script
1
[dramatic music playing]
[narrator] Welcome to the second
largest continent in the world
and the cradle of mankind,
Africa.
Many myths surround the landscapes
under the hot sun
and the people who wrestle
the smallest parcels of inhabitable land
from the desert sands
and the impenetrable jungle.
Africa, with its elephants, camels, lions,
and gorillas
who inhabit the dark rainforests,
hot deserts, and vast savannas.
But the continent is more
than just its unique wildlife.
Dust, hot, and sunny,
these are the associations
with the name Africa.
All these terms
refer to the north of the country,
which is dominated by a single immense
and boundless desert.
As hostile the desert may seem
at first glance,
one may be very surprised
with the second one.
And while the tropical rainforests
along the equator
may seem like paradise on Earth
with their temperatures
and rich rainfalls,
the jungle bears perils
that are as deadly
as the heat of the desert.
This apparent contradiction
between forest and desert,
rain and dust, life and death
describes Africa
like no other part of the world
and can be repeatedly found
throughout the continent.
Amid this turbulent
and dangerous landscape,
the first ancestor of man
once descended from a tree,
creating the cornerstone
for the triumphal march of mankind.
Let us explore the history
of this unique corner of the Earth
and discover some
of the most wonderful places
in the world.
[epic music playing]
[narrator] The Earth is covered
by many different climate zones
which encourage specialised plant
and animal kingdoms
on each continent.
Once, gigantic deciduous forests
covered almost the whole extent of Europe.
This temperate forest is only replaced
along the Mediterranean coast
due to the drier and warmer
Mediterranean climate.
Eastward, the Asian steppe opens wide,
penetrating far into
the largest continent of the world.
North of the steppe, boreal forests
dominate the landscapes
of Siberia and the Far East.
In the southern regions of Asia, however,
particularly in the Middle East,
more and more desert
and savannah-like landscapes are common.
In Southeast Asia,
rainforests stretch
to the islands of Indonesia.
In the heartland of sunny Australia,
a desert is surrounded
by a variety of savannas, steppes,
and rainforests.
The new world, consisting of North,
Central, and South America,
is covered by a large number
of different climates.
The north is characterised
by tundra and coniferous forests,
while the centre
of the North American continent
is dominated by large plains,
temperate landscapes,
and some desert regions.
In South America,
vast expanses of rainforest
form along the Amazon,
while the often harsh climatic conditions
of the Andean Mountains
serve as an extreme contrast.
At the centre of all these
continents and climate zones
is Africa.
Deserts cover the entire northern
and southern parts of the West Coast,
while at the centre is the African jungle.
Rainforest and desert are separated
by broad belts of savannah
with different gradations of climate.
While at first glance,
Africa might seem grim
and less interesting
than other continents,
it is, in fact, the most
unique continent on our planet.
What makes Africa so special?
The most prominent features of Africa
are the gigantic animal herds
which travel great distances
in search of food.
However, it's not only the large number
of the individual animals,
but also the large number
of different types of flora and fauna
that make the continent stand out.
In addition to the unparalleled
biodiversity of Africa,
its legacy as the cradle of humanity
gives it a unique heritage.
Over millennia,
the various cultures
of the once young species
have evolved quite differently
so that many different ways of life
come together in Africa.
But despite the long period
in which mankind has inhabited Africa,
the continent still holds many secrets
in its inner most depths.
Vast and endless under the scorching sun
lie the deserts of Africa.
To the north stretches the Sahara,
the largest dry desert of the Earth,
virtually stretching over
the entire area of North Africa.
Its dunes and valleys are the stuff
of many legends and tales.
Once the home of countless kingdoms
and crisscrossed
by the salt caravans of the Tuareg,
it is now an almost deserted place.
Far to the south is the Namib,
one of the rare fog deserts.
It covers large parts
of Namibia and Angola
and has an area
of nearly 100,000 square kilometres.
The Namib is one
of the driest deserts on Earth
and is characterised
by, among other things,
extremely high and colourful dunes.
At the core of the Kalahari Basin
is the Kalahari Desert,
which stands out from the other deserts
due to its red sandstone.
With nearly 900,000 square kilometres,
it extends over many African countries.
The entire Kalahari Basin,
which is covered at the edges
with dry savannah,
is even larger.
No matter where a desert is located,
it's human instinct to view it
as a lifeless place.
But deserts are more than
just big dead sandboxes.
Majestically, the summits
of some isolated mountains
rise far above the dunes of the desert,
the distinctive ridges of mountains
to the uniform
and smooth texture of the desert.
From the far reaches of the sea of sand,
mountain peaks jut out
like lonely islands.
Many of these individual outcroppings
are petrified sand dunes
which can form high plateaus.
Other solitary mountains
are often volcanic in origin.
However, entire mountain ranges
can be the witnesses
to violent tectonic activity.
Impressive examples of such activity
include the Ahaggar Mountains
of the Tibesti,
which is the highest
mountain range in the Sahara.
At the north-western edge of the Sahara
extend the Atlas Mountains.
This mountain range
forms a natural boundary
between the hot desert
and the Mediterranean climate
of Northern Morocco.
Unusual for mountains lying in
or on the edge of a desert,
the mountains of the Atlas
contain metals and raw materials
such as iron and silver,
as well as natural gas.
Cheret, Tenere, or simply Great Desert,
these are the names
of the largest dry desert in the world,
the Sahara.
The Sahara covers
nine million square kilometres
with its sand, gravel, and boulders,
a region so dry and hot
that all living creatures yield
to the relentless emptiness,
or at least so it seems.
The desert can be more
than just sand and dust.
In some places, every now and then,
a river cuts through
the inhospitable wasteland.
But it is only slightly visible
in the shimmering heat,
and soon, all traces are lost again
in the endless sea of sand.
Away from the water,
the eternal expanses of sand dominate,
but the idea of the Sahara
consisting only of endless sandy dunes
is incorrect.
Actually, only one-fifth of the deserts
are real sand deserts.
These are commonly called erg or edean
and consists mainly of quartz,
which has been eroded by the wind
from larger rocks and stones.
The rock formations created by the erosion
not only have many different forms,
but in some cases,
seem very curious indeed.
On the west coast is the Namib,
one of the few fog deserts of the world.
The cold Benguela current off the coast
has been the cause for the decade-long
lack of precipitation in the Namib.
The Namib Desert existed
almost 80 million years ago
on Gondwana, the original continent.
At that time,
it was not located on the coast.
This occurred only after
the continental drift.
High, rugged mountains
dominate the landscape
at the edges of the Namib.
The origin of the gravel-like
rock formations
has an interesting reason.
The huge temperature differences
between the red hot days
and the freezing cold nights
lead the large rocks and boulders
to explode into smaller pieces.
We return from the foggy desert
of the Namib
back to the Sahara.
Here, the wind-polished rocks
and lonely high dunes
are awaiting us again.
The desert, close to the few mountains
that rise out of the sand,
is particularly dry.
However, it is not true
that the Sahara has always been
a hot and sandy place.
Within the last 100,000 years,
there have been some periods
when the Sahara was a green savannah.
The last of these wet or pluvial times
was about 8,000 years ago.
During this time,
hunter-gatherers migrated
into the region, settled down,
and for some time,
even turned to agriculture
before the Sahara, again,
turned back into desert.
Desertification may have
a large number of causes.
The end of a cool and humid period
thousands of years ago
was the reason the Sahara
could recapture the land
from the savannah.
Other factors may have also included
increased erosion
or salinization.
But even if sand dominates today,
signs of life still run
through the heat of the desert.
Oases are some of the most
beautiful phenomena
in nature to behold.
The fact that water can spring
out of the ground in the desert
is both intriguing and puzzling.
Oases can occur in many ways.
Often, they are created by rainwater
that falls on the mountains
and percolates through the soil.
When the water hits a water-tight layer,
it flows along underground
until somewhere in the desert,
it once again sees the light of day.
Indeed, there are many
more types of oases.
For example, the groundwater is tapped.
The most famous oasis
in the world is probably the Nile,
a river oasis.
The sheer variety and beauty
unveiled by this river
defies description.
Aside from the few spots with an oasis,
only the barren and arid landscapes
of the desert prevail.
The sunset makes the top
of the mountains glow red,
and only with the evening
are temperatures bearable again.
Our journey now turns to a place
that is not necessarily cool
but blessed with more water,
the rainforest
In the heart of Africa, they lie,
the evergreen rainforests,
every animal unique,
every plant incomparable,
every metre a new world.
The tropical rainforests of Africa
stretch over an enormous area.
The huge coastal rainforest
stretches along the West Coast
over Gabon and Cameroon to Nigeria.
[serene music playing]
The heart of the impenetrable
forests, however,
lies in the centre of Africa.
After the Amazon Basin,
the Congo Basin is the second
largest rainforest in the world.
The forest is not only fed
by the daily heavy rains,
but also by small
and large rivers like the Congo.
On the island of Madagascar,
there is another rainforest
which is populated
by many endemic species,
that is ones that only exist there.
The rich variety of species
is by far the most distinguishing feature
of the rainforests of Africa.
Numerous animal species
are found in the depth of the jungle.
The diversity of the forests
can hardly be put into words
and is completely unprecedented.
Even today, with modern equipment
and research tools,
far from all of the species
in the rainforests have been discovered.
The tropics.
Gnarled acacia meet the imposing
and towering baobab trees
with their characteristically thick stems.
Even if in the minds of people,
Africa seems to consist
entirely of desert,
the continent is actually covered
over and again
with dense forests.
As much as 75 percent of Africa
lies in the tropical zone.
Along the East Coast to Central Africa
lays a vast area of the richest habitats
for species on Earth.
In the areas around rainforests,
mountains and plateaus often rise
above the landscape
in front of the jungles.
The weather determines the forms of life
on the slopes and ledges of the mountains.
On the warm and sunny sides,
trees and grasses grow
at the lower altitudes of the mountains,
while less and less vegetation is found
further on towards the summit.
Areas of vegetation spread themselves out
at the feet of the mountains.
These form the transition
between the rugged mountain regions
and the humid rainforests of Africa.
Located near the equator,
the tropics are ruled by a daily rhythm
that almost never changes within the year,
starting with the temperatures,
which might sink noticeably at night,
but over the year remain
more or less the same,
to the daily downpour of rain.
The sun usually shines
almost exactly 12 hours,
and the twilights last no longer
than a half hour.
Following the rapid sunrises,
the trees and the ground heat quickly,
causing large amounts of water
to evaporate in a short period.
Throughout the day,
large towering clouds form,
which spread above the entire rainforest.
Around midday, there are abundant rains
which are often accompanied
by thunderstorms.
Several hours later,
the rains finally subside,
allowing night to descend upon the jungle,
with the next day repeating
the same performance.
There are no seasons to change
this rhythm of the beat.
This is due to the proximity
of the rainforests to the equator,
meaning no change of season
is actually possible.
Even if the regular rains
and the fixed daily routine
initially appear monotonous,
the rainfall has led to a green world
whose diversity of species
is incomparable.
At first glance, these tropical forests
despite or perhaps
because of the pouring rain
appear to be
a paradise-like fertile place,
but the rainforests are not fertile.
The continuous rainfall
has removed much of the nutrients
from the earth,
as if by a thorough rinsing.
It so happens that all nutrients
originate from leaves, plants,
or animals that have recently died.
The reason for the vast number
of various and different species
lies in the architecture
of the rainforest's layered construction.
At each of these layers or floors,
each located at a different height,
various species have found
a niche for survival
since the conditions in the layers change
with the environmental conditions
of the different parts of the forest.
Although rainforests no longer represent
even seven percent
of the Earth's surface now,
they are home to between 40 to 70 percent
of all living species
due to their layered construction.
Already, a few hundred metres
in the rainforest
can bring with them radical changes
in the plant and animal species.
Several hundred kilometres
accordingly brings an entirely new world.
Such a new world
with its mysteries and wonders
lies ahead of us.
Madagascar.
The hallmarks of this island
are forests, cliffs,
and especially the lemurs.
Lemurs are almost exclusively
arboreal or tree dwelling,
so it is not surprising
that the various species
have either settled
in the rainforests in the east,
the thorny forests in the southwest,
or the deciduous forests
in the west of the island.
Only a few species,
such as the ring-tailed lemur,
move frequently on the ground
and in the open savannah.
It is still not fully understood
exactly how lemurs came
to the island of Madagascar.
There is no question
that these unique creatures
tremendously enrich
the wildlife of Africa.
The lemurs have been divided
on the sixth continent,
as Madagascar is often referred to,
in about 100 different species.
Even though this diversity of lemurs
is demonstrated through many
individual characteristics,
some traits are the same
for many of the species.
Unlike many other types of primates,
lemurs rarely display
so-called sexual dimorphism,
significant differences
or physical characteristics
between males and females.
In most cases, both sexes weigh the same
and the canine teeth have the same size,
which clearly sets them apart
from many other primates,
such as chimpanzees.
The name lemur probably comes
from the Latin word lemures ,
a term for Roman spirits of the dead.
The reasons for this name
are the typical characteristics
of most lemurs.
They are nocturnal, have large eyes,
and have distinctive faces.
Although most of the lemurs are nocturnal,
there are also species
that limit their activity to the day.
In most cases, it can be said
that the small and light species
prefer the cover of darkness
and are therefore active at night,
while the larger and heavier lemurs
confine themselves to the day.
However, there are a few species
that have a so-called cathemeral rhythm,
which means that they do not have
a fixed day and night cycle
as with exclusively nocturnal
or day-active animals.
The commitment
to a particular time of day or night
is dependent on the weather,
food supply, or the season.
Also, this characteristic
is unknown in other primates.
The lemurs are able to communicate
with their fellow species in several ways.
They have a very good sense of smell
and many scent glands all over the body.
They have, therefore, developed
a complex communication system
that relies primarily on odours.
They can also protect themselves against
or call attention to predators
with different sounds.
The lemurs, however, possess
even more peculiarities.
Depending on diet specialisation,
for example,
they may have an enlarged appendix
which facilitates the digestion of plants,
or have an extra long tongue,
enabling them better access to nectar.
In addition to the lemurs of Madagascar,
there are still more
fascinating creatures to Marvel at
in the rainforests of Africa.
Especially on the banks
of the mighty rivers,
an immense biodiversity
has established itself.
The light-filled embankments
differ themselves
from the thickets of the forests
not only in appearance,
but especially in the species present.
This snail takes a pause from the heat
in the shady and humid regions
of the rainforest.
Not far away, however, lurks its hunter.
With more than 100 kinds,
the chameleon is one of the most
diverse species in the tropics.
Chameleons are famous
for their ability to change colour.
The lizards not only change
their pigmentation
when danger threatens,
but also to protect themselves
from harsh ultraviolet rays
or to mitigate
the scorching blaze of the sun.
Although snakes have spread
over the entire world
throughout evolution,
they are by far the most numerous
here in the tropics.
Many species of snakes
have a similar
thermal imaging type of vision,
which enables them
to hunt well in the dark.
Having spied their prey,
they stalk slowly,
using their extremely powerful
muscles for the approach.
It is rare for the bite
of a snake to be toxic.
Very few of the nearly 3,000 species
are dangerous to humans.
This little turtle eats the plants
near the bank.
Its hard armour protects it
from predators.
As such unassuming creatures,
it is hard to believe
that some turtles can grow
up to eight feet long.
In addition to the turtles,
there are other inconspicuous,
however, colourful animals in the jungle,
such as certain species of spiders.
Butterflies also bring lively colours
to this green world.
Butterflies gather to feed
on the flowers of plants.
In a few weeks,
the mating dances will take place
and transform the shrubs
and flowering plants
to a place of a thousand beating wings.
Slowly and majestically,
the sun sets over the gentle waves
at the Atlantic Ocean
and wraps the edge of the impenetrable
and mysterious jungle
in darkness.
[calm music playing]
[narrator] Our journey now takes us
away from the tropics
and towards the vast plains of Africa,
the savannahs.
[mid-tempo music playing]
The savannahs, the border areas
between extreme precipitations
of a wide variety of vegetation
depending on the available
amount of water.
The wide belt of savannahs stretches
from the Sahel in the north,
over the East African savannahs,
like the Serengeti,
to South Africa with its so-called veld.
The most arid savannah types
are the thorn-bush savannahs,
usually located
directly adjacent to deserts,
where almost exclusively,
low and bushy plants are found.
The dry savannahs further on
towards the equator
produce greener landscapes
with the help of some rivers
and more rain.
Especially green are the riparian forests,
which spread along the banks
with their cooler temperatures
and more hospitable environments.
The humid savannas,
which can be recognised
by their almost exclusively
green landscapes,
are located close to tropical rainforests.
Due to the large food supply,
humid savannas
are also frequently the scenes
of spectacular migrations
of zebra and wildebeest.
The lush meadows
and swaying grasses of the savannahs
are like a small taste of paradise.
Far and wide, the green plains
of the African landscape
stretch on to the horizon
under the warm sun.
The savannahs of Africa,
on land and in the air,
a fantastic interplay of nature.
The rivers and streams
that run through the savannah
are the basis for the biodiversity.
But the cool water
does not flow all year long
through the sunny spaces.
The savannahs are subjected
to a never-ending cycle
of rainy and dry seasons.
In the rainy season,
there is an extreme amount of rainfall,
turning the land green
and causing the rivers to swell
and flood their banks.
The savannah is most fertile
during this time.
But also the rainy season
must finally come to an end.
In the dry season,
the water supplies slowly but surely
start diminishing.
Humans and animals move
to other more humid regions
as the rivers continue to dry up.
Savannahs are a distinctive feature
of the African landscape.
They cut broad swathes between the jungles
in the heartland of Africa
and the vast deserts
along both the Tropic of Cancer
and the Tropic of Capricorn.
With metre-high elephant grass
and broad roofs of acacia leaves,
the savannahs of Africa are a food source
for a large variety of animals.
In one of the rivers of a savannah,
a few crocodiles have laid in wait.
To satisfy their hunger,
they have no fear
of even the largest prey.
Because of the constant threat
posed by these carnivorous lizards,
the rivers are largely abandoned.
Only a few animals are safe
from the crocodiles.
Although hippos look ponderous and slow,
they can very well defend themselves
against predators like crocodiles.
Besides these large animals,
the savannah is home to countless species
that one can easily overlook
in the tall grass.
The animals ensure their survival
by living together in small groups.
Together, they find more food
and warn each other of predators,
and they are lurking everywhere.
On the edge of this watering hole,
a lioness refreshes herself
with the cool water.
Lions are the largest cats in Africa
and the only great cat
that lives together in packs.
Their most striking feature
is the large mane.
This head of hair is not yet formed
on the young animals.
The darker and more magnificent
the mane later becomes,
the stronger the male will be.
The cubs are raised
not only by their own mother,
but by all the lionesses.
Unlike their relative, the house cat,
concern for hygiene
is rather limited amongst lions.
Vultures are always grateful
for a piece of carrion,
but they rarely get to sample
the next inhabitant.
These young elephants are playing together
in the shade of acacia trees.
A few metres away,
another calf practices defending the herd.
Elephants need to drink
a considerable number
of litres of water a day to survive.
If no watering hole is at hand,
elephants will cross large spaces
in search of water.
[serene music playing]
Elephants can only release heat
from the surface of their body
and not by sweating.
Therefore, they evolved
large ears over time.
To supply the huge body,
an elephant has to eat
between 200 to 300
kilograms of food a day.
Pachyderms prefer eating grasses,
but fruit and leaves also find their way
into the stomachs of these giants.
Wildebeests are one
of the largest species of antelope
on the savannah.
Their long migrations
of hundreds of kilometres across Africa
have made the wildebeest world famous.
Every year,
at the end of the rainy season,
the wildebeests cross rivers
to reach fertile valleys.
This results in herds
that can comprise thousands of animals.
Males and females
often form separate herds.
Outside the migration seasons,
the males inhabit their own territories,
which they defend vigorously
against intruders.
Towards the end of the year,
as the rainy season once again starts,
the wildebeests make their return
across the river.
In some small tributaries of the rivers,
the water is calm
and numerous aquatic plants
cover the surface of the stream.
Large African buffalo
often settle near bodies of water.
But the waters don't only
attract the heavyweights.
Some antelopes are refreshing themselves
on the banks of this river.
Like many inhabitants of the savannahs,
the topis live in herds.
Led by a male,
they roam the savannahs
and cover great distances.
While on their journey,
the antelopes search for juicy grasses
and tasty herbs among the tall grass.
Protected by their mother,
the young warthogs pluck grass
from the ground.
Adult warthogs can defend
themselves quite well
with their huge tusks,
even against big cats
such as the leopard.
Normally, however,
no prey escapes this stealthy hunter.
The cheetah is also an excellent hunter.
However, he can only maintain
his incredible speed
over short distances.
Therefore, the cheetah observes
its prey very carefully
so as to avoid wasting any energy.
In search of food,
the tallest mammal on earth
overlooks the savannah,
the giraffe.
Even though they don't really look capable
of putting up a fight,
the giraffe has no fear of predators.
Once it reaches a certain size,
they are avoided by large carnivores
such as lions and cheetahs.
Besides their extremely long neck,
the giraffe has other unusual attributes.
For example, their notable pattern
serves to release heat,
so they are not reliant on shade
in the sunny savannah.
Not far from the grazing giraffes,
we see some zebras.
Zebras form groups of herds
where they provide care for their young.
The foal remains
for about a year with its mother
and feeds on her milk.
The stripes appear
to offer certain advantages.
For example, the zebra is not perceived
by the dangerous tsetse fly.
Perhaps the complex pattern
makes it difficult for predators
like lions and cheetahs
to distinguish individual animals
when looking at a large herd before them.
A group of female impalas
graze before a bend in a river.
Until the mating season,
females discourage males
with their uninviting horns.
Their gracious appearance
closely resembles that of the gazelle.
In fact, they are among
the more sturdy of antelopes.
The antlers of the male are normally used
only during the ritual fights
of the mating season.
As long as the female is alone,
she dedicates herself
to the rearing of her young.
Over the ground of the grassy plains
moves a solitary specimen
of the world's largest running bird,
the ostrich.
In most instances,
ostriches, like gazelles,
flee from their predators,
whereby they can reach speeds
of 70 kilometres per hour.
The bulk of the day, however,
is spent grazing and eating.
The rhino is an extremely ancient animal.
Already for 50 million years,
rhinos walked the Earth.
Even though they possess
an effective weapon with their horn,
they are pure herbivores
that graze the entire day
through the savannah in search of food.
The savannah is a wonderful land,
full of life and diversity,
but dangers lurk on all sides.
The deserts are spreading.
The climate is getting warmer.
Even the flaming bush fires
seem to spread only devastation
at first glance,
but the fires are of inestimable value
to the savannahs
as long as they do not gain
the upper hand.
With the burning of grasses,
shrubs, and sometimes trees,
valuable nutrients
are returned to the soil.
Only with these new reserves
can new plants grow
to serve as food for the herds.
Some plants have become so adapted
to the regular and recurring fires
that their seeds only open
with the heat of the flames.
As is so often in Africa,
the end of one thing
simultaneously creates a new beginning.
The wide-spreading trees and shrubs
provide both shade
and are a source of food for animals.
However, the plants are not as vulnerable
as one often thinks.
In fact, some of them
have developed great ways
to defend themselves against attackers
such as giraffes and antelopes.
The most notable type of defence
is carried through chemical signals
called phytohormones.
Some plants, such as acacia,
can actually warn each other
about the approach of animals.
Once they know
of the presence of herbivores,
the acacia begin to enrich their leaves
with extremely bitter substances.
The unpalatable taste
repulses the animals,
thus protecting the plant.
For this reason, the trees in areas
with many herbivores
remain in close contact
with their leafy canopies.
Africa, a land of contrasts,
with scorching heat,
roaring rivers, and drenching rains.
Like no other continent,
it enchants its visitors
with a unique blend
of ever-changing landscape
and abundant wildlife.
Where once, the species of man
took its first step,
today, animals inhabit
the sparkling rivers
and golden plains.
Even if history's stage
has moved from Africa,
it remains firmly anchored
in the collective memory of the world.
Less than the historical legacy,
the earthiness and wildness of nature
capture the imagination of modern society.
The vast plains of the African savannah
form a habitat of wild and natural beauty,
eliciting an almost
indescribable fascination
through its varied landscape
and colourful diversity.
The peace of the countryside
and the animals spread out
like a surging wave across the continent.
The plains and savannahs are,
like the vast rainforests,
home to the essence of life.
Young animals of all kinds
play and frolic under the African sun.
Africa's landscapes lie quiet and peaceful
under the same sky that looked down
millions of years ago upon this land.
The change in nature's realm is continuous
yet mostly inconspicuous.
In the age of the digital revolution,
the human eye is blind
to the basic events of the world.
Every square centimetre of Africa
is filled with the rhythm
of the wilderness,
even in the silent desert dunes.
The petrified sand formations
and wind-polished rocks
bear witness
to the everyday wonders of Africa
and the entire cosmos
that is the African world.
With the memories of the fantastic journey
through the varied
and exhilarating landscapes,
we leave Africa to the setting
of the blazing sun.
[epic music playing]
[dramatic music playing]
[narrator] Welcome to the second
largest continent in the world
and the cradle of mankind,
Africa.
Many myths surround the landscapes
under the hot sun
and the people who wrestle
the smallest parcels of inhabitable land
from the desert sands
and the impenetrable jungle.
Africa, with its elephants, camels, lions,
and gorillas
who inhabit the dark rainforests,
hot deserts, and vast savannas.
But the continent is more
than just its unique wildlife.
Dust, hot, and sunny,
these are the associations
with the name Africa.
All these terms
refer to the north of the country,
which is dominated by a single immense
and boundless desert.
As hostile the desert may seem
at first glance,
one may be very surprised
with the second one.
And while the tropical rainforests
along the equator
may seem like paradise on Earth
with their temperatures
and rich rainfalls,
the jungle bears perils
that are as deadly
as the heat of the desert.
This apparent contradiction
between forest and desert,
rain and dust, life and death
describes Africa
like no other part of the world
and can be repeatedly found
throughout the continent.
Amid this turbulent
and dangerous landscape,
the first ancestor of man
once descended from a tree,
creating the cornerstone
for the triumphal march of mankind.
Let us explore the history
of this unique corner of the Earth
and discover some
of the most wonderful places
in the world.
[epic music playing]
[narrator] The Earth is covered
by many different climate zones
which encourage specialised plant
and animal kingdoms
on each continent.
Once, gigantic deciduous forests
covered almost the whole extent of Europe.
This temperate forest is only replaced
along the Mediterranean coast
due to the drier and warmer
Mediterranean climate.
Eastward, the Asian steppe opens wide,
penetrating far into
the largest continent of the world.
North of the steppe, boreal forests
dominate the landscapes
of Siberia and the Far East.
In the southern regions of Asia, however,
particularly in the Middle East,
more and more desert
and savannah-like landscapes are common.
In Southeast Asia,
rainforests stretch
to the islands of Indonesia.
In the heartland of sunny Australia,
a desert is surrounded
by a variety of savannas, steppes,
and rainforests.
The new world, consisting of North,
Central, and South America,
is covered by a large number
of different climates.
The north is characterised
by tundra and coniferous forests,
while the centre
of the North American continent
is dominated by large plains,
temperate landscapes,
and some desert regions.
In South America,
vast expanses of rainforest
form along the Amazon,
while the often harsh climatic conditions
of the Andean Mountains
serve as an extreme contrast.
At the centre of all these
continents and climate zones
is Africa.
Deserts cover the entire northern
and southern parts of the West Coast,
while at the centre is the African jungle.
Rainforest and desert are separated
by broad belts of savannah
with different gradations of climate.
While at first glance,
Africa might seem grim
and less interesting
than other continents,
it is, in fact, the most
unique continent on our planet.
What makes Africa so special?
The most prominent features of Africa
are the gigantic animal herds
which travel great distances
in search of food.
However, it's not only the large number
of the individual animals,
but also the large number
of different types of flora and fauna
that make the continent stand out.
In addition to the unparalleled
biodiversity of Africa,
its legacy as the cradle of humanity
gives it a unique heritage.
Over millennia,
the various cultures
of the once young species
have evolved quite differently
so that many different ways of life
come together in Africa.
But despite the long period
in which mankind has inhabited Africa,
the continent still holds many secrets
in its inner most depths.
Vast and endless under the scorching sun
lie the deserts of Africa.
To the north stretches the Sahara,
the largest dry desert of the Earth,
virtually stretching over
the entire area of North Africa.
Its dunes and valleys are the stuff
of many legends and tales.
Once the home of countless kingdoms
and crisscrossed
by the salt caravans of the Tuareg,
it is now an almost deserted place.
Far to the south is the Namib,
one of the rare fog deserts.
It covers large parts
of Namibia and Angola
and has an area
of nearly 100,000 square kilometres.
The Namib is one
of the driest deserts on Earth
and is characterised
by, among other things,
extremely high and colourful dunes.
At the core of the Kalahari Basin
is the Kalahari Desert,
which stands out from the other deserts
due to its red sandstone.
With nearly 900,000 square kilometres,
it extends over many African countries.
The entire Kalahari Basin,
which is covered at the edges
with dry savannah,
is even larger.
No matter where a desert is located,
it's human instinct to view it
as a lifeless place.
But deserts are more than
just big dead sandboxes.
Majestically, the summits
of some isolated mountains
rise far above the dunes of the desert,
the distinctive ridges of mountains
to the uniform
and smooth texture of the desert.
From the far reaches of the sea of sand,
mountain peaks jut out
like lonely islands.
Many of these individual outcroppings
are petrified sand dunes
which can form high plateaus.
Other solitary mountains
are often volcanic in origin.
However, entire mountain ranges
can be the witnesses
to violent tectonic activity.
Impressive examples of such activity
include the Ahaggar Mountains
of the Tibesti,
which is the highest
mountain range in the Sahara.
At the north-western edge of the Sahara
extend the Atlas Mountains.
This mountain range
forms a natural boundary
between the hot desert
and the Mediterranean climate
of Northern Morocco.
Unusual for mountains lying in
or on the edge of a desert,
the mountains of the Atlas
contain metals and raw materials
such as iron and silver,
as well as natural gas.
Cheret, Tenere, or simply Great Desert,
these are the names
of the largest dry desert in the world,
the Sahara.
The Sahara covers
nine million square kilometres
with its sand, gravel, and boulders,
a region so dry and hot
that all living creatures yield
to the relentless emptiness,
or at least so it seems.
The desert can be more
than just sand and dust.
In some places, every now and then,
a river cuts through
the inhospitable wasteland.
But it is only slightly visible
in the shimmering heat,
and soon, all traces are lost again
in the endless sea of sand.
Away from the water,
the eternal expanses of sand dominate,
but the idea of the Sahara
consisting only of endless sandy dunes
is incorrect.
Actually, only one-fifth of the deserts
are real sand deserts.
These are commonly called erg or edean
and consists mainly of quartz,
which has been eroded by the wind
from larger rocks and stones.
The rock formations created by the erosion
not only have many different forms,
but in some cases,
seem very curious indeed.
On the west coast is the Namib,
one of the few fog deserts of the world.
The cold Benguela current off the coast
has been the cause for the decade-long
lack of precipitation in the Namib.
The Namib Desert existed
almost 80 million years ago
on Gondwana, the original continent.
At that time,
it was not located on the coast.
This occurred only after
the continental drift.
High, rugged mountains
dominate the landscape
at the edges of the Namib.
The origin of the gravel-like
rock formations
has an interesting reason.
The huge temperature differences
between the red hot days
and the freezing cold nights
lead the large rocks and boulders
to explode into smaller pieces.
We return from the foggy desert
of the Namib
back to the Sahara.
Here, the wind-polished rocks
and lonely high dunes
are awaiting us again.
The desert, close to the few mountains
that rise out of the sand,
is particularly dry.
However, it is not true
that the Sahara has always been
a hot and sandy place.
Within the last 100,000 years,
there have been some periods
when the Sahara was a green savannah.
The last of these wet or pluvial times
was about 8,000 years ago.
During this time,
hunter-gatherers migrated
into the region, settled down,
and for some time,
even turned to agriculture
before the Sahara, again,
turned back into desert.
Desertification may have
a large number of causes.
The end of a cool and humid period
thousands of years ago
was the reason the Sahara
could recapture the land
from the savannah.
Other factors may have also included
increased erosion
or salinization.
But even if sand dominates today,
signs of life still run
through the heat of the desert.
Oases are some of the most
beautiful phenomena
in nature to behold.
The fact that water can spring
out of the ground in the desert
is both intriguing and puzzling.
Oases can occur in many ways.
Often, they are created by rainwater
that falls on the mountains
and percolates through the soil.
When the water hits a water-tight layer,
it flows along underground
until somewhere in the desert,
it once again sees the light of day.
Indeed, there are many
more types of oases.
For example, the groundwater is tapped.
The most famous oasis
in the world is probably the Nile,
a river oasis.
The sheer variety and beauty
unveiled by this river
defies description.
Aside from the few spots with an oasis,
only the barren and arid landscapes
of the desert prevail.
The sunset makes the top
of the mountains glow red,
and only with the evening
are temperatures bearable again.
Our journey now turns to a place
that is not necessarily cool
but blessed with more water,
the rainforest
In the heart of Africa, they lie,
the evergreen rainforests,
every animal unique,
every plant incomparable,
every metre a new world.
The tropical rainforests of Africa
stretch over an enormous area.
The huge coastal rainforest
stretches along the West Coast
over Gabon and Cameroon to Nigeria.
[serene music playing]
The heart of the impenetrable
forests, however,
lies in the centre of Africa.
After the Amazon Basin,
the Congo Basin is the second
largest rainforest in the world.
The forest is not only fed
by the daily heavy rains,
but also by small
and large rivers like the Congo.
On the island of Madagascar,
there is another rainforest
which is populated
by many endemic species,
that is ones that only exist there.
The rich variety of species
is by far the most distinguishing feature
of the rainforests of Africa.
Numerous animal species
are found in the depth of the jungle.
The diversity of the forests
can hardly be put into words
and is completely unprecedented.
Even today, with modern equipment
and research tools,
far from all of the species
in the rainforests have been discovered.
The tropics.
Gnarled acacia meet the imposing
and towering baobab trees
with their characteristically thick stems.
Even if in the minds of people,
Africa seems to consist
entirely of desert,
the continent is actually covered
over and again
with dense forests.
As much as 75 percent of Africa
lies in the tropical zone.
Along the East Coast to Central Africa
lays a vast area of the richest habitats
for species on Earth.
In the areas around rainforests,
mountains and plateaus often rise
above the landscape
in front of the jungles.
The weather determines the forms of life
on the slopes and ledges of the mountains.
On the warm and sunny sides,
trees and grasses grow
at the lower altitudes of the mountains,
while less and less vegetation is found
further on towards the summit.
Areas of vegetation spread themselves out
at the feet of the mountains.
These form the transition
between the rugged mountain regions
and the humid rainforests of Africa.
Located near the equator,
the tropics are ruled by a daily rhythm
that almost never changes within the year,
starting with the temperatures,
which might sink noticeably at night,
but over the year remain
more or less the same,
to the daily downpour of rain.
The sun usually shines
almost exactly 12 hours,
and the twilights last no longer
than a half hour.
Following the rapid sunrises,
the trees and the ground heat quickly,
causing large amounts of water
to evaporate in a short period.
Throughout the day,
large towering clouds form,
which spread above the entire rainforest.
Around midday, there are abundant rains
which are often accompanied
by thunderstorms.
Several hours later,
the rains finally subside,
allowing night to descend upon the jungle,
with the next day repeating
the same performance.
There are no seasons to change
this rhythm of the beat.
This is due to the proximity
of the rainforests to the equator,
meaning no change of season
is actually possible.
Even if the regular rains
and the fixed daily routine
initially appear monotonous,
the rainfall has led to a green world
whose diversity of species
is incomparable.
At first glance, these tropical forests
despite or perhaps
because of the pouring rain
appear to be
a paradise-like fertile place,
but the rainforests are not fertile.
The continuous rainfall
has removed much of the nutrients
from the earth,
as if by a thorough rinsing.
It so happens that all nutrients
originate from leaves, plants,
or animals that have recently died.
The reason for the vast number
of various and different species
lies in the architecture
of the rainforest's layered construction.
At each of these layers or floors,
each located at a different height,
various species have found
a niche for survival
since the conditions in the layers change
with the environmental conditions
of the different parts of the forest.
Although rainforests no longer represent
even seven percent
of the Earth's surface now,
they are home to between 40 to 70 percent
of all living species
due to their layered construction.
Already, a few hundred metres
in the rainforest
can bring with them radical changes
in the plant and animal species.
Several hundred kilometres
accordingly brings an entirely new world.
Such a new world
with its mysteries and wonders
lies ahead of us.
Madagascar.
The hallmarks of this island
are forests, cliffs,
and especially the lemurs.
Lemurs are almost exclusively
arboreal or tree dwelling,
so it is not surprising
that the various species
have either settled
in the rainforests in the east,
the thorny forests in the southwest,
or the deciduous forests
in the west of the island.
Only a few species,
such as the ring-tailed lemur,
move frequently on the ground
and in the open savannah.
It is still not fully understood
exactly how lemurs came
to the island of Madagascar.
There is no question
that these unique creatures
tremendously enrich
the wildlife of Africa.
The lemurs have been divided
on the sixth continent,
as Madagascar is often referred to,
in about 100 different species.
Even though this diversity of lemurs
is demonstrated through many
individual characteristics,
some traits are the same
for many of the species.
Unlike many other types of primates,
lemurs rarely display
so-called sexual dimorphism,
significant differences
or physical characteristics
between males and females.
In most cases, both sexes weigh the same
and the canine teeth have the same size,
which clearly sets them apart
from many other primates,
such as chimpanzees.
The name lemur probably comes
from the Latin word lemures ,
a term for Roman spirits of the dead.
The reasons for this name
are the typical characteristics
of most lemurs.
They are nocturnal, have large eyes,
and have distinctive faces.
Although most of the lemurs are nocturnal,
there are also species
that limit their activity to the day.
In most cases, it can be said
that the small and light species
prefer the cover of darkness
and are therefore active at night,
while the larger and heavier lemurs
confine themselves to the day.
However, there are a few species
that have a so-called cathemeral rhythm,
which means that they do not have
a fixed day and night cycle
as with exclusively nocturnal
or day-active animals.
The commitment
to a particular time of day or night
is dependent on the weather,
food supply, or the season.
Also, this characteristic
is unknown in other primates.
The lemurs are able to communicate
with their fellow species in several ways.
They have a very good sense of smell
and many scent glands all over the body.
They have, therefore, developed
a complex communication system
that relies primarily on odours.
They can also protect themselves against
or call attention to predators
with different sounds.
The lemurs, however, possess
even more peculiarities.
Depending on diet specialisation,
for example,
they may have an enlarged appendix
which facilitates the digestion of plants,
or have an extra long tongue,
enabling them better access to nectar.
In addition to the lemurs of Madagascar,
there are still more
fascinating creatures to Marvel at
in the rainforests of Africa.
Especially on the banks
of the mighty rivers,
an immense biodiversity
has established itself.
The light-filled embankments
differ themselves
from the thickets of the forests
not only in appearance,
but especially in the species present.
This snail takes a pause from the heat
in the shady and humid regions
of the rainforest.
Not far away, however, lurks its hunter.
With more than 100 kinds,
the chameleon is one of the most
diverse species in the tropics.
Chameleons are famous
for their ability to change colour.
The lizards not only change
their pigmentation
when danger threatens,
but also to protect themselves
from harsh ultraviolet rays
or to mitigate
the scorching blaze of the sun.
Although snakes have spread
over the entire world
throughout evolution,
they are by far the most numerous
here in the tropics.
Many species of snakes
have a similar
thermal imaging type of vision,
which enables them
to hunt well in the dark.
Having spied their prey,
they stalk slowly,
using their extremely powerful
muscles for the approach.
It is rare for the bite
of a snake to be toxic.
Very few of the nearly 3,000 species
are dangerous to humans.
This little turtle eats the plants
near the bank.
Its hard armour protects it
from predators.
As such unassuming creatures,
it is hard to believe
that some turtles can grow
up to eight feet long.
In addition to the turtles,
there are other inconspicuous,
however, colourful animals in the jungle,
such as certain species of spiders.
Butterflies also bring lively colours
to this green world.
Butterflies gather to feed
on the flowers of plants.
In a few weeks,
the mating dances will take place
and transform the shrubs
and flowering plants
to a place of a thousand beating wings.
Slowly and majestically,
the sun sets over the gentle waves
at the Atlantic Ocean
and wraps the edge of the impenetrable
and mysterious jungle
in darkness.
[calm music playing]
[narrator] Our journey now takes us
away from the tropics
and towards the vast plains of Africa,
the savannahs.
[mid-tempo music playing]
The savannahs, the border areas
between extreme precipitations
of a wide variety of vegetation
depending on the available
amount of water.
The wide belt of savannahs stretches
from the Sahel in the north,
over the East African savannahs,
like the Serengeti,
to South Africa with its so-called veld.
The most arid savannah types
are the thorn-bush savannahs,
usually located
directly adjacent to deserts,
where almost exclusively,
low and bushy plants are found.
The dry savannahs further on
towards the equator
produce greener landscapes
with the help of some rivers
and more rain.
Especially green are the riparian forests,
which spread along the banks
with their cooler temperatures
and more hospitable environments.
The humid savannas,
which can be recognised
by their almost exclusively
green landscapes,
are located close to tropical rainforests.
Due to the large food supply,
humid savannas
are also frequently the scenes
of spectacular migrations
of zebra and wildebeest.
The lush meadows
and swaying grasses of the savannahs
are like a small taste of paradise.
Far and wide, the green plains
of the African landscape
stretch on to the horizon
under the warm sun.
The savannahs of Africa,
on land and in the air,
a fantastic interplay of nature.
The rivers and streams
that run through the savannah
are the basis for the biodiversity.
But the cool water
does not flow all year long
through the sunny spaces.
The savannahs are subjected
to a never-ending cycle
of rainy and dry seasons.
In the rainy season,
there is an extreme amount of rainfall,
turning the land green
and causing the rivers to swell
and flood their banks.
The savannah is most fertile
during this time.
But also the rainy season
must finally come to an end.
In the dry season,
the water supplies slowly but surely
start diminishing.
Humans and animals move
to other more humid regions
as the rivers continue to dry up.
Savannahs are a distinctive feature
of the African landscape.
They cut broad swathes between the jungles
in the heartland of Africa
and the vast deserts
along both the Tropic of Cancer
and the Tropic of Capricorn.
With metre-high elephant grass
and broad roofs of acacia leaves,
the savannahs of Africa are a food source
for a large variety of animals.
In one of the rivers of a savannah,
a few crocodiles have laid in wait.
To satisfy their hunger,
they have no fear
of even the largest prey.
Because of the constant threat
posed by these carnivorous lizards,
the rivers are largely abandoned.
Only a few animals are safe
from the crocodiles.
Although hippos look ponderous and slow,
they can very well defend themselves
against predators like crocodiles.
Besides these large animals,
the savannah is home to countless species
that one can easily overlook
in the tall grass.
The animals ensure their survival
by living together in small groups.
Together, they find more food
and warn each other of predators,
and they are lurking everywhere.
On the edge of this watering hole,
a lioness refreshes herself
with the cool water.
Lions are the largest cats in Africa
and the only great cat
that lives together in packs.
Their most striking feature
is the large mane.
This head of hair is not yet formed
on the young animals.
The darker and more magnificent
the mane later becomes,
the stronger the male will be.
The cubs are raised
not only by their own mother,
but by all the lionesses.
Unlike their relative, the house cat,
concern for hygiene
is rather limited amongst lions.
Vultures are always grateful
for a piece of carrion,
but they rarely get to sample
the next inhabitant.
These young elephants are playing together
in the shade of acacia trees.
A few metres away,
another calf practices defending the herd.
Elephants need to drink
a considerable number
of litres of water a day to survive.
If no watering hole is at hand,
elephants will cross large spaces
in search of water.
[serene music playing]
Elephants can only release heat
from the surface of their body
and not by sweating.
Therefore, they evolved
large ears over time.
To supply the huge body,
an elephant has to eat
between 200 to 300
kilograms of food a day.
Pachyderms prefer eating grasses,
but fruit and leaves also find their way
into the stomachs of these giants.
Wildebeests are one
of the largest species of antelope
on the savannah.
Their long migrations
of hundreds of kilometres across Africa
have made the wildebeest world famous.
Every year,
at the end of the rainy season,
the wildebeests cross rivers
to reach fertile valleys.
This results in herds
that can comprise thousands of animals.
Males and females
often form separate herds.
Outside the migration seasons,
the males inhabit their own territories,
which they defend vigorously
against intruders.
Towards the end of the year,
as the rainy season once again starts,
the wildebeests make their return
across the river.
In some small tributaries of the rivers,
the water is calm
and numerous aquatic plants
cover the surface of the stream.
Large African buffalo
often settle near bodies of water.
But the waters don't only
attract the heavyweights.
Some antelopes are refreshing themselves
on the banks of this river.
Like many inhabitants of the savannahs,
the topis live in herds.
Led by a male,
they roam the savannahs
and cover great distances.
While on their journey,
the antelopes search for juicy grasses
and tasty herbs among the tall grass.
Protected by their mother,
the young warthogs pluck grass
from the ground.
Adult warthogs can defend
themselves quite well
with their huge tusks,
even against big cats
such as the leopard.
Normally, however,
no prey escapes this stealthy hunter.
The cheetah is also an excellent hunter.
However, he can only maintain
his incredible speed
over short distances.
Therefore, the cheetah observes
its prey very carefully
so as to avoid wasting any energy.
In search of food,
the tallest mammal on earth
overlooks the savannah,
the giraffe.
Even though they don't really look capable
of putting up a fight,
the giraffe has no fear of predators.
Once it reaches a certain size,
they are avoided by large carnivores
such as lions and cheetahs.
Besides their extremely long neck,
the giraffe has other unusual attributes.
For example, their notable pattern
serves to release heat,
so they are not reliant on shade
in the sunny savannah.
Not far from the grazing giraffes,
we see some zebras.
Zebras form groups of herds
where they provide care for their young.
The foal remains
for about a year with its mother
and feeds on her milk.
The stripes appear
to offer certain advantages.
For example, the zebra is not perceived
by the dangerous tsetse fly.
Perhaps the complex pattern
makes it difficult for predators
like lions and cheetahs
to distinguish individual animals
when looking at a large herd before them.
A group of female impalas
graze before a bend in a river.
Until the mating season,
females discourage males
with their uninviting horns.
Their gracious appearance
closely resembles that of the gazelle.
In fact, they are among
the more sturdy of antelopes.
The antlers of the male are normally used
only during the ritual fights
of the mating season.
As long as the female is alone,
she dedicates herself
to the rearing of her young.
Over the ground of the grassy plains
moves a solitary specimen
of the world's largest running bird,
the ostrich.
In most instances,
ostriches, like gazelles,
flee from their predators,
whereby they can reach speeds
of 70 kilometres per hour.
The bulk of the day, however,
is spent grazing and eating.
The rhino is an extremely ancient animal.
Already for 50 million years,
rhinos walked the Earth.
Even though they possess
an effective weapon with their horn,
they are pure herbivores
that graze the entire day
through the savannah in search of food.
The savannah is a wonderful land,
full of life and diversity,
but dangers lurk on all sides.
The deserts are spreading.
The climate is getting warmer.
Even the flaming bush fires
seem to spread only devastation
at first glance,
but the fires are of inestimable value
to the savannahs
as long as they do not gain
the upper hand.
With the burning of grasses,
shrubs, and sometimes trees,
valuable nutrients
are returned to the soil.
Only with these new reserves
can new plants grow
to serve as food for the herds.
Some plants have become so adapted
to the regular and recurring fires
that their seeds only open
with the heat of the flames.
As is so often in Africa,
the end of one thing
simultaneously creates a new beginning.
The wide-spreading trees and shrubs
provide both shade
and are a source of food for animals.
However, the plants are not as vulnerable
as one often thinks.
In fact, some of them
have developed great ways
to defend themselves against attackers
such as giraffes and antelopes.
The most notable type of defence
is carried through chemical signals
called phytohormones.
Some plants, such as acacia,
can actually warn each other
about the approach of animals.
Once they know
of the presence of herbivores,
the acacia begin to enrich their leaves
with extremely bitter substances.
The unpalatable taste
repulses the animals,
thus protecting the plant.
For this reason, the trees in areas
with many herbivores
remain in close contact
with their leafy canopies.
Africa, a land of contrasts,
with scorching heat,
roaring rivers, and drenching rains.
Like no other continent,
it enchants its visitors
with a unique blend
of ever-changing landscape
and abundant wildlife.
Where once, the species of man
took its first step,
today, animals inhabit
the sparkling rivers
and golden plains.
Even if history's stage
has moved from Africa,
it remains firmly anchored
in the collective memory of the world.
Less than the historical legacy,
the earthiness and wildness of nature
capture the imagination of modern society.
The vast plains of the African savannah
form a habitat of wild and natural beauty,
eliciting an almost
indescribable fascination
through its varied landscape
and colourful diversity.
The peace of the countryside
and the animals spread out
like a surging wave across the continent.
The plains and savannahs are,
like the vast rainforests,
home to the essence of life.
Young animals of all kinds
play and frolic under the African sun.
Africa's landscapes lie quiet and peaceful
under the same sky that looked down
millions of years ago upon this land.
The change in nature's realm is continuous
yet mostly inconspicuous.
In the age of the digital revolution,
the human eye is blind
to the basic events of the world.
Every square centimetre of Africa
is filled with the rhythm
of the wilderness,
even in the silent desert dunes.
The petrified sand formations
and wind-polished rocks
bear witness
to the everyday wonders of Africa
and the entire cosmos
that is the African world.
With the memories of the fantastic journey
through the varied
and exhilarating landscapes,
we leave Africa to the setting
of the blazing sun.
[epic music playing]