Africa's Wild Year

In Southern Africa, winter brings drought, ice and storms, forcing wildlife to endure harsh conditions and scarce resources. As they struggle against the elements, the animals also encounter heightened competition among themselves for food and shelter during this season throughout the region.

The programme titled Winter is presented as an episode‑length entry in a broader series. Classified under the genre “episode”, it concentrates on the conditions that define the Southern African winter, offering viewers a focused look at this particular time of year. During this season the region experiences a combination of drought, icy conditions and frequent storms. The harsh weather forces the native wildlife to contend with a scarcity of water, freezing temperatures and turbulent winds, all of which test their ability to survive. As the animals grapple with these environmental pressures, they also encounter heightened rivalry among themselves. The struggle for limited resources intensifies competition, prompting individuals and groups to vie more aggressively for food, shelter and safe ground. The episode therefore portrays a dual challenge: the relentless forces of a severe winter and the increasing contest between creatures trying to endure it. By juxtaposing the raw power of the elements with the animals’ competitive interactions, the programme paints a vivid picture of life in Southern Africa when winter’s grip is at its strongest.