In this series Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a look at the history of Africa, from the birth of humankind to the dawn of the 20th century. This is a breathtaking and personal journey through two hundred thousand years of history, from the origins, on the African continent, of art, writing and civilization itself, through the millennia in which Africa and Africans shaped not only their own rich civilizations, but also the wider world.

Trek into the tropical mountains and valleys of Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to get a first-hand look at our closest living relatives. From studying gorillas to chimpanzees, there is nothing more enchanting than sitting on the damp forest floor and gazing into the eyes of a great ape.

A night drive into the African bush offers a glimpse into a completely different world, from nocturnal animals to the breathtaking sky. This episode covers the basics of a night safari: what animals you might see, how they might behave, and what tools you need for successful and responsible viewing of animals at night.

Snakes, lizards, toads, and frogs have a nasty reputation. They're creepy, crawly, slithery, and cold-blooded. Yet reptiles and amphibians are an important part of Africa's ecosystem, and, as you will learn in this episode, there is much more to these fascinating creatures than their nasty reputation. Learn about crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and more.

The giant animals might be the immediate crowd-pleasers, but the smaller mammals of Africa can be equally fascinating, and they play a critical role in the ecosystem. From mongooses and rabbits to the strange-looking pangolin, get an up-close look at an abundance of small mammals.

Listen: When you go on an African safari, you step away from the hum of household electronics, the wails of car horns and sirens, and experience the call of the wild. The chattering of crickets and frogs, the late-night howls of jackals, the iconic roar of the lions. Learn to observe not just with your eyes, but with your ears.

The majority of safari experiences concentrate in the continent's fertile savannahs and wetlands, but the arid regions of Namibia and the Atlantic coast of Africa hold countless treasures. Here, journey into the oldest desert in the world, view the magnificent red sand dunes, and learn about survival in a seemingly inhospitable climate.

The safari experience has changed mightily over the last century, and today, sustainability is one of the most important considerations for tourism. This series closes with a look at responsibility and conservation and what some of the leaders in the safari industry are doing to support local communities and to protect endangered species.

Now that you have surveyed the range of geographies and types of safaris, shift gears to begin a multi-episode unit on the flora and fauna you might see on your safari. Here, start with the predators: the crowd-pleasing carnivorous animals at the top of the food chain. Meet the "killer"cats and dogs.

The word "safari"comes from the Swahili word for "journey." While safaris typically involve journeys into the wilderness, the cities and cultures of Africa offer a different kind of journey. From Cape Town to Nairobi and from the Zulus to the Maasai, experience the thriving cultures and communities across Africa.