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26 Episodes 2015 - 2015
Episode 1
26 mins
When five youngsters set off for an adventure into to the vast Addo Elephant National Park, they get more than they had bargained for. You may know that South Africa is famous for its Big Five, but this is the only park in the world where the Big Seven are found. Immediately after entering the wilderness, their quest for the Big Seven starts. Which one will they encounter first? They bubble with excitement when they came face-to-face with the Cape buffalo. In a large enclosure, they dart two young buffalo orphans that are old enough to be released into the wild, and get a chance to touch the buffaloes while they put collars on them. Using a special camera, they capture pictures of the elusive leopard at night, and track an endangered Black Rhino through the thick bush. They learn to handle snakes and a giant lizard big enough to kill a rabbit. In the calm twilight the adventurers flinch with fear as they spot the King of the Jungle, feasting on a warthog. With four of the Big Seven down, they glow as they reflect on their daily lessons and activities, wondering what wild animals they will find next when the sun welcomes them again.
Episode 2
Woken up by the sweet song of hummingbirds, the adventurers continue their quest for the Big Seven. They hike up ancient mountains and explore mysterious caves covered in rock art. Oompie explains the meaning behind the pictures and tells stories of our Khoisan ancestors who lived here a long time ago. Back in the Zebra Bus, the pressure soon starts building when the road is blocked by elephants. Soon they are trapped in the middle of a large herd! The youngsters are overwhelmed by the size of these giants. With mixed emotions of fear and pleasure, they watch two young elephant bulls fight one another while the rest of the herd walks past the Zebra Bus. But there's a lot more to come! The youngsters assist in an operation to dart elephants from a helicopter to change their radio collars. There are magic moments when the youngsters monitor the heartbeat of a massive old elephant with their palms, and feel the air blowing out of her trunk. They witness the close relationship that exists between the members of the herd when the big ones rally to protect a small baby elephant. Finally, they can tick the Big Five off their list. Two of the Big Seven remain...
Episode 3
26 mins
The search for the Big Seven continues, and the Zebra Bus heads for the marine and coastal section of the park in Algoa Bay. For this part of their mission, the team has to venture into the deep sea to find the biggest of the Big Seven - the whale. But first they have to traverse shifting sand dunes in a howling gale where they find shells and rock utensils left behind from a time when people lived off the land around them. As night falls, the youngsters explore the creatures of the dark such as giant snails and bulbous frogs calling for their mates. As the sun ushers in a new day with perfect weather, they take their quest to sea in a research boat. Keeping their eyes peeled, they spot dolphins and African penguins on St Croix Island, but the sea giants fail to make an appearance. They do however find the remains of a whale long dead and are in awe of the enormity of its spine. Sad to already be on their way home, their luck changes as two playful whales greet the team, saying hello to those responsible for its future protection.
Episode 4
26 mins
The Zebra Bus embarks on a final mission to find that last and most elusive member of the Big Seven - the Great White Shark! They set off on a mission to Bird Island, a feathery paradise without equal and home to the biggest Cape Gannet colony in the world. Here the adventurers have to dodge birds in flight in order to get a closer look at the nests and newly hatched chicks. The team soon meets other residents of the island, like the African Penguin, who has no fear of the visitors. With wetsuits and flippers the children explore the watery world of the flightless birds. This however is no way to look for sharks. The explorers board a research boat tagging sharks in the hope to catch a glimpse of the last animal on their list. Suddenly, there is a frenzy of activity as the predators surround the boat! A massive five-meter shark makes an appearance, one of the biggest ever seen at Bird Island. Although the kids are scared, they learn how amazing this sea creature is. With the hunt for the Big Seven finally over, the youth return to their homes with a deep love for Nature in their hearts.
Episode 5
26 mins
Nestled between a mountain range and the coast, lies an enchanted rainforest through which crystal clear rivers flow - much of this natural domain falls in the Garden Route National Park. Four youngsters discover the source of a creek high in the Outeniqua Mountains: their mission is to follow the river all the way down the mountain slopes, through the forest, to where it finally meets the sea. They bash their way through the dense undergrowth where they encounter beautiful habitats with unique biodiversity. The going gets tougher as the river becomes a torrent of rapids. Then suddenly, the angry river disappears into a deep canyon. The team finds its way to the edge of a high cliff, from where they can catch a glimpse of the river flowing in a deep canyon sculpted through millennia. Their courage is tested when the only way forward is to jump from the cliff into the black waters far below them. Now they have to fight their fears in the dark canyon from which there is no escape, except by going downstream. Relying on one another they are thrilled to eventually swim into the light at the end of the gorge. Canoeing the rest of their journey, they survive on shrimps in the estuary and eventually reach the river's end where it spills into the sea.
Episode 6
26 mins
The team is back in the largest evergreen moist forest in South Africa. Singing comforting songs, they eagerly await the surprises that the forest has in store for them. Around the corner they see broken branches strewn over the road and fresh elephant dung. Could this be one of the legendary Knysna elephants? Carefully they retreat and continue their journey. They come to a giant tree so old and so huge, that they and Oompie can barely reach around the trunk holding hands. Oompie teaches them the value of protecting the forest for the benefit of every living creature, including human beings. Trotting deeper into the forest with their cautious eyes glued to the soaring trees, they wonder how one can explore the canopy. Within no time they are doing just that, hanging between heaven and earth and zip lining from one tree platform to the next. Their faces shine with pride as they discover the shy animals that dwell in the treetops. Feeling victorious, the team is eager to learn more about the ecology of the mystical forest. By the time the sun has dipped behind clouds peaked in the late afternoon, they are humbled by lessons that they will cherish forever.
Episode 7
Known for its rich biodiversity and heritage, the Cape of Good Hope is where Table Mountain is found - one of the Seven Wonders of the World! The majestic mountain is visible far out to the sea, and lured early explorers to come and see for themselves. They found a fertile land full of amazing animals and strange plants found nowhere else. But there is another side to the Cape of Good Hope: the weather can change in a jiffy and a blue calm sea turns into a cauldron of waves that wreak havoc on any boat that dares to be outside the protection of Table Bay, giving it the alternative name of Cape of Storms. Our modern-day explorers start their investigation in the rocky outcrops of the mountain. Soon they manage to find rock art dating to long before the Europeans' arrival in what is known today as South Africa. Following the winding path of history, they discover many interesting places, including the Kakapo shipwreck which they reach on horseback - with hilarious consequences for Oompie, their guide! The youngsters are amazed that a city could develop amidst such natural beauty and diversity and that it is possible for humans to live in harmony with their natural world.
Episode 8
26 mins
After their bout with wind, rain and the history of the Cape, the time has come for the team to have a close look at the animal world of Table Mountain National Park, specifically focusing on the strange adaptations that some animals have to survive in their secret worlds. Their first foray is into a dark cave system of wet and narrow channels that twist and turn in the bowels of the mountain. Here they encounter a colony of bats that uses echolocation to find their way and zero in on prey in the lightless cave. When they finally see the light of day, they are in a fairyland known as the fynbos, a plant kingdom of thousands of species of plants, where there are plants that actually enlist aggressive ants to protect them! Then it is down to the beach to study an animal with the strangest adaptation to the waves lapping at the shore - surfing snails! Further along they catch a smelly whiff of the seagulls' favourite food - juicy, jumpy amphipods breeding on rotting kelp. Through a window in the bottom of a boat the observe hundreds of seals frolicking in the underwater world - and suddenly they see where Oompie had disappeared to when no one was looking.
Episode 9
26 mins
The team travels further into the realm of the sea with canoes to study a penguin colony on the beach from across the water. Then it is time to put on wetsuits and get right into the water, with masks and fins. In a deep rock pool they marvel at the splendour of the water world. Oompie lets them in on a few secrets that lie beneath the water. A remarkable starfish, sea anemones, and a host of other creatures intrigue them, until the cold water forces them out to a rock in the sun. Oompie offers them a taste a leafy green algae, which did not go down too well. But the sea has far more to offer - a group of animals most people fear, but who live their secret lives deep under the surface of the water: sharks! They venture far offshore into shark territory with a patrol boat, and to prove the point that most sharks are peaceful creatures that mean no harm to humans, Oompie dives down to swim amongst a school of Seven Gill Cow Sharks, some of them as long as himself. Although they wait in anticipation for their leader to resurface, Oompie is all too happy to swim alongside his razor-teethed friends.
Episode 10
26 mins
The mysterious Table Mountain is often shrouded in swirling clouds. There are deep canyons, waterfalls and of course vertical cliffs, where only eagles dare (or so the team thought). To get up to the flat table top, the team uses the cable car. In their ascent they stare in awe as the steep cliffs give way below them. Once on top, they learn that Table Mountain has some 2200 species of plants - more than in the entire United Kingdom! They are amazed how well animals such as dassies and the little antelopes known as klipspringers ('rock jumpers') are adapted to life on the cliffs and steep slopes. Little did they know that the daring Oompie, had yet another trick up his sleeve. Before they knew it they were in for an adventure of a lifetime. With the locals cheering them on, they prepare to abseil down the vertical cliffs. With beating hearts, they grab the ropes firmly and commit themselves to the abyss. To their surprise the cliff face drops away half way, leaving them hanging in thin air between heaven and earth. This was quite a life-changing experience for everyone - they never would have imagined seeing themselves hanging off Table Mountain on ropes!
Episode 11
Imagine a place that is half land, half water - and you have the West Coast National Park. This gentle wilderness is celebrated for its unspoiled beauty, its meandering water channels and a sparkling lagoon that surpasses all expectations. Langebaan is the largest lagoon system in South Africa and an internationally important bird area. In this episode, four young explorers set off on an adventure of a lifetime, from canoing and snorkeling in the turquoise waters of the lagoon, to roaming with wild animals, including getting close to large snakes! Under the cover of darkness they discover animals that few knew even existed. The adventurers get drenched on a rough boat ride to a real 'treasure island'. Malgas Island is a place where the birds are in charge. It is where the largest population of the endangered Cape Gannets is found. There is also a population of African Penguins and the rare African Black Oystercatcher birds that pry open mussels and limpets of the rocks with their strong red beaks. Through this journey the explorers learn the value of parks, the importance of protecting nature, get a peek into the world of seabirds and gain self-confidence as they overcome their fears of Nature.
Episode 12
26 mins
Namaqualand is a desert region along the west side of South Africa, also known as the Succulent Karoo. This biome is a biodiversity hotspot with the largest concentration of succulent plants in the world. The team's mission is to cross the Kamiesberge on their way to the desert coast, one of the least known parts of South Africa. They are intrigued by the architectural wonders of the Spoegriver caves, the entrance to which resembles a human skull. Here the first evidence of domestic sheep in Southern Africa was found, dating back thousands of years. That night they feast on shellfish from the shore just as their ancestors did, though it took considerable encouragement from Oompie to have them try the mussels and snails they collected themselves. Nature as an educational entertainer touches the team on a profound level as they discover things they would never learn in a classroom. They would have never known that the dry kelp stem could be cut open and used as a musical instrument and as a whale caller. They fill up their water bottles from a hidden fountain, the only fresh water for vast distances along the desert coast. Mimicking the ancient Khoisan lifestyle, the explorers have become true survivalists in a harsh environment.
Episode 13
26 mins
When they return to the Namaqua National Park, the short rainy season has started and the desert is in full bloom. This time their mission is to find out how plants, animals and people survive in a land that is harsh and seemingly inhospitable for most of the year. Walking through fields of bright orange and yellow flowers, they learn about the succulent vegetation, many species of which spend most of their time underground in the dry periods. They come across a pond of frogs that have only a short period to complete their breeding cycle before the dry period starts again. They visit a Khoisan livestock farmer who shows them how their forefathers used Nature as a pharmacy, as he still does today, relying on plants that have medicinal uses. Then they look at how architecture evolved from just a hollow in the dunes, to a hut woven from reeds, to a house made of bark, and finally to houses made of clay bricks. The youngsters are astonished to discover so much about the traditional ways of surviving in the harsh environment. They have learned things about their area they never knew existed, and have more respect for those who came before them.
Episode 14
26 mins
In the land of rainmakers and baobab trees, the Zebra Bus travels in the shadow of the ancient Kingdom of Mapungubwe, also known in Venda as Tshavhadzimu or 'Place of the Gods'. Tasked with discovering the many secrets that the World Heritage Site holds, they set course for a cave with rock art, but soon run into a herd of elephants set on protecting their young. They almost step on a horned adder, and Oompie teaches them that 'when you respect Nature, then Nature will respect you back'. Further along, the voices of those who once inhabited the rocky hills make themselves heard through the pottery and stone walls they left behind. Standing at the heart of the kingdom, the team marvels at the story of the Golden Rhino that was found in a big clay pot with the skeleton of what was presumed to be the King himself. Mapungubwe once was the centre of a vast civilisation that had gold and ivory trading links with the East African coast. As their journey comes to an end, the young ones sing a rain song at the Rain Makers hill, where rainmakers of old summoned the clouds. And guess what? Soon the bush around them is drenched by a thunderstorm!
Episode 15
25 mins
'Thaba ya metsi' ('Mountain of Water') is the local name for the Waterberg Mountains, located in the Marakele National Park- the next sanctuary that our latest group of adventurers will explore. The Zebra Bus collects the team from their school in Thabazimbi. They are hyped up on excitement, and their timing is perfect as breeding season is in full swing. As they enter the park they run into a crèche of baby impalas. The Zebra Bus causes some confusion with a pride of hungry lions searching for a kill - much to the amusement of its passengers. Later, on foot, they come across a great battle for land between the Matabele ants and termites, cheering the ants on to a victory. So enthralled were they with nature that they don't realise they almost walked into a herd of rhino - thankfully, peaceful white rhinos! They sit down to observe interactions between two of the males. Driving to the top of the mountain the name 'Thaba ya metsi' makes sense and they stop to drink and rejoice where water flows from the rock. Water and nature has a way of healing one's soul, something the youngsters will never forget from their incredible journey through Marakele.
Episode 16
26 mins
In this episode, five young adventurers take you on a wild Zebra Bus ride to experience a modern day version of Noah's Ark. In a fast developing South Africa our wild places are getting fewer, and they are no longer connected to one another. One park plays an especially important role: rare animals are bred here, and sometimes brought here from elsewhere so they can be safe - and then they are placed out again to other parks to restock them. A real Noah's Ark! Mokala National Park has a calming sensation, with its gentle mix of landscapes that have both Karoo and Kalahari soils. The adventurers become re-acquainted with their ancestral past, discovering rock paintings of the wild animals, which were painted by the Khoisan 'First Peoples' eons ago. This discovery excites the young adventurers; they trace the Khoisan footsteps, in search of these wild animals. The young spirits enjoy discovering and learning about new things and there are plenty here. They are left with a sense of awe as they roam with the park's wild endangered species, and even get to witness first hand how Cape Buffalo are caught and put in enclosures until they will be relocated to other regions where their genes are needed.
Episode 17
26 mins
The Zebra bus ventures into the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park during the rainy season, when animals and people celebrate the much-needed rains. Four local Kalahari girls are on a mission to not only explore the many wonders of the park, but also become acquainted with the San people who live in the area. As the roads become narrower and finally only two tracks remain, the Zebra Bus gets stuck in the red sands of a big dune. The team walks to where a small group of San people has a camp. They learn some San words and an elderly lady takes them into the dunes to discover the secrets of which plants you can survive on for food and water, and which ones you can use for curing all sorts of ailments. Besides the flora, they also learn the ways of the millipede, gemsbok, hyena, cheetah and other inhabitants of the Kgalagadi. The girls feel privileged to be so close to nature and invite the youth of South Africa to come and see what their part of the world has to offer. As the day draws to a close, the kids join in a traditional Khoisan dance around the campfire, dreaming of what they might find in the new day.
Episode 18
24 mins
The rains have already gone, leaving the Kalahari brown and dry again when our adventurers return to continue their journey with the San. The park's wildlife decides to put on quite a show for the visitors. One moment some cheetahs were hunting their dinner, and ran down a gemsbok, and the next moment their prize was snatched up by a pride of lions, relying on their superior strength. This once in a lifetime show is followed by a different kind of display of strength as the Zebra Bus pushes itself up some tricky dunes - but not without the help of the girls who cheer it on. They pitch camp at a place called Sebobogas, marked only by a small tree. In the safety of the campfire, they chow down some bush-made ash bread, and listen to stories of the veld and the animals in it. Gazing at the glittering constellations of the heavens Oom Toppie tells them how the moon gives messages to the people and animals below. The next day, he stalks an ostrich nest and 'borrows' an egg for dinner, leaving the rest to hatch. One of the most important things they learn from the San is to only take what you need, and no more.
Episode 19
26 mins
One beautiful sunny day on the edge of the Karoo, the Zebra Bus adventurers are on a quest for a legendary cheetah called White Eye. Once in the Mountain Zebra National Park they spot zebras, buffaloes, springboks and vervet monkeys, but no cheetah. As twilight approaches and the stars gather to light up the park, they spot a cheetah in the half-light. Then he is gone. The next morning, a ranger named Richard helps them to get within meters of the legendary White Eye, only to find that he was hurt and hungry. Respectfully they retreat, resolving to return one day to learn more about his life. They return in the heart of winter, in a heavy snowstorm, worried about how White Eye will survive the cold. Soon Richard takes them to a spot where he breaks the news. This is where they found White Eye he is dead. Saddened, the youth learn a valuable lesson on the cycle of life. On their journey down the mountain they run into White Eye's descendants, a young male and female. Now they know that even after death the next generations will go on, as long as there is a sanctuary for them to live in.
Episode 20
24 mins
After their brush with life and death in the wilderness, the adventurers are more than eager to explore the land further and see firsthand how the game rangers handle endangered species. Trotting carefully behind the game ranger in rhino territory, they learn about the difference between black rhinos and white rhinos. Soon they spot a black rhino in the thick brush! With nowhere to run they need to overcome their initial panic and try to make themselves invisible. They stand still in awe when the rhino gets even closer with its young calf. They cannot understand why anyone would hurt such an incredibly rare and beautiful species. Now the game rangers show the team how they relocate rhinos to different parks to protect the gene pool. Using a helicopter a rhino is immobilised with a dart gun, and the team can go up close and touch it. They feel the rhino's horn, which is what the poachers are after. Yet it consists of nothing more than compacted hair. Nearing the end of their adventure, the team feels a compelling need to spread the important message that rhinos need to be kept safe and come up with sensible solutions on how this rare species could be protected.
Episode 21
25 mins
The Zebra Bus treks up the high grassy plains of Golden Gate Highlands National Park, where some of the most dramatic landscapes can be found. Watched over by a big rock called the Sentinel, the bus tries to merge in with an actual zebra herd, but no one is fooled by this little trickery. Continuing on foot, the adventurers stumble upon some fresh dung and stalk a grazing eland. A helicopter ride gives them a stupendous view of the sandstone formations shaped through the eons where dinosaurs once roamed. To get into the deep canyons they use horses and discover a cave sculpted by water, learning about the origins of the natural world in Nature's own classroom. They learn about how a wetland functions as a sponge and clean the water and in the process gets very close to some water birds. They explore rock art depicting San mythology, and other pictures of a later era showing cattle. They also visit the sprawling urban areas of Qwa-Qwa that reaches right up to the park's border. They conclude that for these beautiful places to survive more youth-orientated activities will attract the young generations - because who else will be responsible for the future of South Africa's National Parks?
Episode 22
26 mins
Hear the mighty Augrabies Falls roar as our new batch of explorers venture into its misty beauty. Greeted by giraffes and baboons, they discover the secrets of life in the desert, including how the white bark of a tree reflects the deadly heat of the sun. A trail of otter, dassie and baboon dung leads them to a creek where the natural filtration system of wetlands is at work. Water filters through a bed of reeds and come out crystal clear and clean on the other side. They follow the tributary to the mighty canyon itself. After assessing the white water rapids down below and taking a sunbath with some lizards, the team sets up camp in the bush and let their minds and hearts soar as they watch the sunset from a rock hill. Rested from a night of roosterbroodjies and jokes around the fire, they wake before sunrise. This is the big day! They launch a raft some kilometers upstream of the main falls, and head straight into some scary rapids. Facing their fears head-on and relying on good teamwork, they reap the rewards for their courage -hollering in delight they pull out a few hundred meters before the river thunders down the 'Place of Big Noise'.
Episode 23
26 mins
In the far northwest of South Africa lies a forgotten land, known as the Richtersveld. It stretches eastwards from a desert coast beaten by the cold Atlantic Ocean, deep into a mountainous hinterland of sand, rock and sky. Five young explorers set off from Alexander Bay High School on a mission into the arid land to find the legendary Big Snake ('Groot Slang'), a spirit that can transform itself into anything. Following its spoor, they taste some of the bitter plants that help people survive there. They marvel at the rarest quiver tree in the world, and play music on the thorny spikes of the Halfmense ('half-people'). They visit the graves of two sisters whose lives were intimately intertwined with the Big Snake. Their search finally leads them to the scary and mysterious Wondergat ('Wonder Hole'), the lair of the Spirit of Heitsi Eibib. After the Zebra Bus got stuck in a sand pit, the crew meets up with a Nama family, the indigenous inhabitants of that part of South Africa. Amongst the goats and dunes, they set up camp with these herders and sleep until a bright new sun awakens them. They continue their search for the Big Snake in the next episode.
Episode 24
26 mins
The search for the Big Snake continues as the Zebra Bus team treks further and further into the ancient mountains in search of signs and messages left from ancient times, when people roamed freely across the landscape. They cross the Orange River from South Africa into Namibia and continue on the dusty roads of the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park until a family of baboons crosses their path. When they run out of road, the Zebra Bus ventures into the pathless wilderness of rock and sand, along a range of mountains where the oldest paintings in Africa are found. Using a compass, they try to find the caves filled with cultural treasures that Oompie once visited a long time ago. Unsuccessful on their first try, the team stays over in the veld for the night, using the bus as shelter. In the morning they find engravings of the ancient Nama in a dry riverbed and follow the river to the cave. Here there are many engravings and paintings about a life that is long gone and forgotten, but clearly their artwork will last for generations to come. Most San paintings are several thousand years old, but these painting in the well-hidden Apollo 11 cave are 25 - 30 000 years old! Just imagine finding that treasure!
Episode 25
26 mins
Now that they have visited the richest of all deserts in the world in terms of biodiversity, and they have seen the oldest paintings in Africa, they are ready to visit the biggest canyon on the continent. All of that while following the spoor of the Big Snake! Traveling across seemingly endless plains, the explorers finally make their way to the Fish River Canyon, the biggest in Africa. According to legend, the Big Snake created the deep canyon with its twists and turns when people chased it through the desert. Treading carefully closer to the edge, they learn about geology and how the canyon was shaped through the eons. That night, they make camp on the precipice of the cliffs and tell stories of the Big Snake around a campfire with a mixture of skepticism and belief. The next morning, leaving some tired explorers behind at the Zebra Bus, Oompie and three of the team members descend into the canyon to touch the waters of the Fish River. They make it back to the top just before dark. Finding the confluence of the Fish River with the Great !Gariep, or Orange River, they are ready to start the last leg of their journey to the mouth of the river.
Episode 26
26 mins
Charting new territory, the team sets off down the Great !Gariep with the help of a local Nama farmer and friend of Oompie's, Oom Koos. He leads them down the river in rafts and canoes, but before they can go on the water, the explorers first have to go over the safety guidelines for the rapids. The rough white water and sharp rocks are not something to be trifled with. They hang on for dear life as they dodge whirlpools and tricky rapids and sometimes scream out in fear, but knowing they won't get this opportunity again, they rely on one another and keep going. After camping the first night with more Big Snake stories around the fire, they continue the next day to stumble upon ancient graves and rock engravings of animals - including a picture of the Big Snake! Eventually the river starts to widen and they enter the magical wetlands at the mouth of the Orange River, a wetland that is home to thousands of birds, and most importantly, a stop-over along the desert coast for migratory birds. Although they never found the Big Snake, their bond with Nature has been deeply strengthened and they have a new appreciation for South Africa's little known treasures.