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The program follows four modern day explorers—a navigator, a wildlife expert, a survivalist, and a journalist—as they substantially retrace H.M. Stanley's famed expedition to find Dr. David Livingstone. Their route deviates somewhat from Stanley's in that it includes a treacherous crossing of the Uluguru Mountains, which Stanley circumvented.
2009
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
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...
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.
Allen Ludden
Kevin Sites
Self - Journalist
Pasquale Scaturro
Self - Navigator
Mireya Mayor
Self - Wildlife Expert
Benedict Allen
Self - Survivalist
