Survival on Africa's Remote Savannas (Full Episode) | Savage Kingdom Compilation | Nat Geo Animals

♪ ♪ Wame and her pack revel in the glory of another successful hunt. Their home now teems with Wame's happy, healthy pups. (grumbling) But there's trouble afoot. (trumpeting) Big trouble. Giants in search of water, heading straight towards their den. Wame knows what happens to pups who get under these feet. Bold move, Wame. The giants are unstoppable. The pups escape by the skin of their tiny teeth. But there's little left of their precious den. With their home destroyed and hyena still circling... Wame must face reality. Her pups should stay in the den a few more weeks, but it's no longer safe. Wame leaves their sanctuary behind and faces the drought head-on. They are thirsty nomads once more. And the precious pups now face every danger. The great herds gather like flies across the northern floodplains. The sight makes Tsebe hungrier by the minute. It should be easy, but she's hunting alone. (chirping) The odds are against her. (grunting) With no partner, she only has one shot. (squealing) Who says pigs don't fly? How Tsebe wishes her sister was here to help. But the devoted siblings had to go their separate ways... sacrificing their unity... (roars) ...for the safety of the cubs they were carrying. (cubs mewing) For Tsebe, it's all been worth it. (mews) Two boys and a girl. The start of a new pride, replacing the family Tsebe lost and the beginning of a new dynasty. Just arrived, the cubs' father, here to protect them. Tsebe admires his dedication... but can't help wondering how long it will last. (screeching) Motshidi adrift. Forced from her forest home by a mother with cubs, she feels lost and all too alone. The urge to breed, to make a family of her own, grows. She lets the world know, hoping to attract a mate. But to attract a king, she must get stronger. You must eat, princess. But she's in a strange new land with even stranger prey. Poor Motshidi is not used to hunting outside her familiar forest. Motshidi means survivor. Movement... a second chance to kill and boost your strength. She knows she must be silent, surprise her prey, and not be surprised herself. Never wake a sleeping lion. What are you thinking, Motshidi? (growling) Has the sun cooked your brains, princess? There's nothing for you here, nothing but death. Young Khutlo is finally a soldier... the newest recruit in the hyena army. And he hates every second of it. (yipping) His greedy superiors still show no mercy to the low-ranking runt. Every meal, a battleground. Whenever he dares to go in for a bite... ...he risks being bitten himself. (whines) (whimpers) No one cares for Khutlo here. Hungry and humiliated, he takes the only road left and deserts... ...hoping to make it on his own. (squawk) (chattering) (squawking) There's a kind of liberation about hunting alone. But it doesn't put food in your belly. Frustrated, he changes targets. (barks) If only I could fly! Success is always just out of reach. (barking) He can't hunt alone, and he knows what the army does to deserters. Slowly, an idea forms. If the army won't share the spoils, he will have to steal them. You're a hyena after all, Khutlo. (squeaking) Wame's pups are taking well to life on the road. But a leader's life is never easy. The drought is unrelenting. She must lead the pack to water... before thirst takes its deadly toll. Emboldened by their trust, memory directs her to a water hole. But the drought has drunk it dry. Success and failure-- both follow the leader. Your pack and your beloved cubs need water, Wame. But bad luck isn't done with you yet. Hyena scouts. Instead of avoiding danger, Wame leads her family straight into it. Wame stumbles into hell. The dogs do their best to keep the hyena at bay. At all costs, they will protect their pups. Finally, they exhaust the enemy. But Wame senses her leadership is slipping. First, the dry water hole, then the hyena. She knows punishment is on its way. Brutal, savage, and unforgiving. Wame defeated. She still has the love of her pups... but lost the pack's respect. The only way she can earn it back is to find them water, soon. Tsebe's cubs are six weeks old and already a handful. But Tsebe has patience born of experience. Their first-time father is less tolerant. The cubs crave milk. To produce it, Tsebe needs meat, and meat means hunting. Leaving him in charge of her cherished cubs. Once again, Tsebe struggles alone. How will you feed your family, Tsebe? Back at the den, food is the least of her worries. Where is the father of her cubs? Where are her babies? And why is there another huge male in their place? A monster at the den. It's the cubs' uncle, armed and dangerous. Tsebe doesn't know if her babies are alive or dead. What have you done? Where are they? The father, at last. Furious at his brother's intrusion. The uncle cuts his losses. But where are Tsebe's cubs? (mewing) They are unharmed. But how could their father leave them unprotected? Tsebe won't let it happen again. It's time to leave her careless king and go in search of the only one she can depend on, her sister. As drought desiccates the forest, Khutlo, the budding outlaw, watches the army feast. He's not alone. The jackals serve as a useful distraction... ...giving Khutlo the cover he needs to start his life of crime. So proud of his cleverness. But the jackals are clever, too. Khutlo tries to protect his prize. But they're too quick for him. The commotion attracts the commanders. Khutlo can only watch as his dinner vanishes before his eyes. It's not working out quite as he planned, but you won't give up, will you? Even thieving takes practice, Khutlo. Motshidi must build her strength to attract a mate. But even the prey here is not what she's used to. (bird chirping) Hardly the feast of her dreams. But food nonetheless. Encouraged, she searches for a bigger meal but catches the scent of something far more intoxicating-- a male leopard somewhere in the area. Could it be her king, or could it be her killer? The desire to breed blinds Motshidi. She knows a male leopard might attack her as soon as mate with her. (grunts) Dare she approach? Motshidi is drawn to the flame. He can tell she's no queen and spurns her advances. She's unharmed, yet unmated. Oh, princess, only the strongest are fit for a king. Wame leads her thirsty pack, determined to find them water and regain their waning respect. With local water holes dry, she aims for the distant northern floodplains. If she fails, it won't just be the end of her leadership. It could spell the end of the entire pack. Traveling so far when they're already exhausted is a huge gamble. But they should never have doubted her. Tired, battered, and bruised, Wame reclaims her crown. (lowing) Tsebe is on a mission to find her sister. Without her help, Tsebe will struggle to keep her cubs alive and may never rule again. It's a hazardous journey for the tiny youngsters. Giants loom... the mercury bubbles... and danger lurks in every shadow. They must stay close. At last, a familiar scent on the breeze. Tsebe's calls go unanswered, leaving a single terrifying question: Is your sister still alive? Filled with dread, Tsebe fears the worst for her sister. But a tantalizing scent lures Tsebe on. The cubs battle exhaustion... ...as their little legs struggle to keep up. (distant bellowing) (roaring) Finally, the familiar call she's been hoping to hear. Her beloved sister. Safe and sound. And she has cubs! Two sisters, one family. Reunited at last, stronger together, and ready to build an empire. The hyena army searches for another free lunch... and see the dogs have struck gold. Khutlo, the aspiring outlaw, stays back. He's not here to steal from the dogs. He's here to steal from those who reject him. It takes a thief to know a thief. The army does the heavy lifting... while Khutlo seizes his chance. It may not be much... ...but once it was theirs, and now it's his. A success so small, yet bursting with potential. After all this time, Khutlo, you may be onto something. From Khutlo the runt, to Khutlo the soldier, to Khutlo the bold outlaw. Motshidi yearns for a family to start a royal dynasty in this new land. To crown your king, Motshidi, you must first grow strong. (growls) A feast fit for a queen. The table is now set. Roaming her new realm, her strength is clear for all to see. This time, he comes to her. Nothing attracts like power. Motshidi lost everything, but now the seed of dynasty grows within her. Motshidi the queen can at last claim her kingdom. Phefo's cubs sharpen their survival skills... ...relishing freedom while their mother hunts away from home. But freedom has its risks. Baboons. Merciless killers. The boy races for cover. His sister takes a different route. Not a good move. Baboons climb trees, too. (yowling) You're on your own. Phefo is well beyond earshot... ...forced by the drought to travel further and further in search of food for her cubs. (bird whistling) Another hunter has eaten well. (bird shrieking) It's only skin and bone. Anxious not to be away too long, Phefo begins the long journey home. She senses danger. (yowling in distance) Her daughter. Trapped, the cub can only climb higher. Phefo's mind races. Outnumbered, outmaneuvered, out of luck. (cub yowling) (baboon barking) The baboons are finally done with the cub. Is she injured? Is she even alive? The Savage Kingdom deserves its name. But today is an exception. Scared, but unscathed. Nothing a mother's love cannot soothe. But there's still no sign of her son. Silence. (distant mewing) It's him. (hisses) Until the rains come and bring prey closer, your cubs will never be safe, Phefo. Time heals all wounds. As the land turns to dust, Thata and her sister teach the teenagers to hunt... ...with a special respect for what a warthog can do. Rebels no more, the boys study the sisters' every move. Stealth. Patience. The attack. A master class in the art of hunting. The kill quells their pangs of hunger. But one little pig won't feed a hungry pride... ...especially if it's stolen. (hyena whoops) Hyena. Thata used to face these thieves alone. (snarling) But not this time. Whatever the boys lack in hunting skills... ...they make up for in raw power. The team show their loyalty to Thata and the pride. Now, boys, prove you can hunt. Wame leads her pack north, away from the hyena and the endless drought and into the water-filled Here, the pack bathes in success. Wame knows her pups are hungry. And this is unfamiliar territory. Time to test the waters. (snorting) Wame leads the charge. The water, it's too deep. Marshes are exactly where these swamp antelope evolved to survive. Poor Wame, out of your depth, and now you have company. Lions punish trespassers. Wame has led her pack straight into lion country. The party is over. Better by far to face the drought than live in a den of lions. But Tsebe has no interest in chasing pesky dogs. She only wants to be with her sister... ...and their five cubs. After escaping the three brothers, they, too, are refugees. Tsebe can't afford to relax for long. She has land to conquer... ...and her sister to help her. The huntresses are new to this flooded fortress. (trumpets) But together, they lay claim to Mombo's jewel in the crown. (splashing) It's hard to be silent in a world of water. But Tsebe and her sister are in perfect sync. Watch those tusks, Tsebe. Even the greatest empires begin with a single step. The cubs can't wait to fill their bellies, and this meal is special. It's their first taste of meat. And it couldn't be more delicious. For Tsebe, it's proof that joining her sister was the right thing to do. And nothing can stop them from ruling this land. In the infernal heat of the south, Thata also makes a kill. But she has much bigger mouths to feed and many more of them. The teenagers now share, but there's still not enough to go around. Thata spurs the boys into action. Can they turn what they learned into lunch? As Thata leads, the boys take their positions. It's crucial they stay hidden and do exactly as Thata taught. Timing is everything. They're too hasty. The boys must curb their enthusiasm. But they are starting to show promise. Thata's heart soars. Her pride pulling together at last. (elephant trumpets) (birds chirping) (screeches) Phefo is in luck. A vervet monkey. In the drought-ridden south, it's not half bad. Once again, the search for prey takes her far from home. And she longs to get back to her cubs. Having stashed her kill, Phefo is anxious to check they are well. The cubs are slow to appear. But better safe than sorry. Phefo can breathe easy. Her cubs can't live on love alone. They need food. The feisty little girl is first to eat... (hissing) and boldly refuses to share with her mother. Once she's had her fill, it's her brother's turn. Phefo settles for the scraps. And even these, she lets her son steal back. Phefo is willing to sacrifice anything for the good of her precious cubs. But will the rains come and bring her a proper meal before she gets too weak to hunt? (elephants trumpeting) In the flooded north, Tsebe and her sister stake their claim. The perfect team. The abundance of food means their cubs are growing fast. (cooing) For Tsebe, forced to give up her family once before, it's a second chance at happiness. Suddenly that chance looks fragile. Tsebe's heart pounds. Terrified. He could kill her cubs or force her to give up her family once more. Over my dead body. A lone male, capable of anything. But as he draws near, Tsebe recognizes him. It's the father of her cubs. Tsebe remains wary. He's hardly been the model of reliability. She leaves her sister to babysit. And greets the weary traveler. Perhaps he's changed. He seems calmer now. More mature. (low growling) More regal. She'll let him stay, but she doesn't have time to flirt all day. She has an empire to build. (bird shrieks) (zebra braying) Wame leads the pack away from Tsebe's water-soaked land... and back to the infernal drought. A land of famine and scavengers. But at least a land Wame understands. With her pups hungry and the hyena nowhere to be seen, she leads a hunt. Through the searing heat. The dogs run mile after mile. Finally, they can run no more. But a true leader never sleeps. The time for rest is over. (snorts) It's time now for dinner. Back on firm ground, Wame's dogs run freely once more. (bleating) A feast at last. (hyena whooping) It was only a matter of time before their nemesis turned up. Hyena, never knowingly late to a party. Body snatchers... and pup killers. Wame and the pack fled north to escape them. This time, Wame's not going anywhere. The pack rallies behind her. (dogs squeaking) The dogs give everything they have. Even Wame's pups join the fray. Big enough to hold their own at last. A credit to their incredible mother. After everything, Wame's leadership is finally set in stone. Never to be challenged again. (thunder) Rain. Finally, here to quench the land's bitter thirst. Bringing solace to all. No one welcomes the change of season more than Phefo. All she wants is to feed her tiny cubs. Thankfully, her forest now teems with prey of the easiest kind. No time for mercy, Phefo. You have your cubs to feed. (antelope barks) That proper meal at last. Enough for all the family. You just have to get it to them Phefo, that's all. Phefo boldly goes where no hyena can follow. But what goes up will eventually come down... where hell's teeth are waiting. Phefo clings to her cubs' meal. She knows hyena have little patience. Just hold out, Phefo. Free at last. (mew) This time, there's more than enough to go round. So even you, Phefo, get a share of the feast. Having brought her family through the toughest of droughts and the most dangerous period of their lives, Phefo can now enjoy a time of plenty with her two precious cubs. Thata is ready. Lured by the promise of water, the heavyweights arrive. (groaning) Enormous beasts with enormous thirst and enormous horns. Thata can't take them on alone. She won't have to. The teens are primed and ready. Time to see what the boys can do. (bellowing) Under Thata's guidance, the teens isolate a pair of buffalo... female and calf. Perfect. The teacher creates a distraction. While her students go in for the mother of all prizes. A banquet for a hungry pride. The teens finally show their true worth. All thanks to Thata. She transformed a broken pride into a mighty dynasty. A dynasty to match that of the awe-inspiring Tsebe. Each now reigns over their own promised land. Thata, queen of the south. Tsebe, queen of the north. Together, they rule the mighty Savage Kingdom.