For a new TV series on the Republic of Congo, Ben Fogle will harness his inner Indiana Jones.
The TV explorer, 49, would ‘completely immerse’ himself in the African country, experiencing wildlife and ancient tribespeople while living and sleeping in the forest and doing hard trips across the terrain.
‘It was tough finding somewhere new and exciting for Ben to visit with an adventurer CV like his.
‘In the Congo you’ve got danger and natural wonder in equal measure and the result is extraordinary. He gives Indiana Jones a run for his money,’ commissioning editor of unscripted for the broadcaster, Federico Ruiz, teased.
Ben will go to the ‘throbbing heart of Africa’ for a three-part documentary series in order to better understand the region, which is still’steeped in immense myth and misinformation,’ according to the broadcaster.
Ben, who has rowed across the Atlantic, climbed Everest, raced to the South Pole, and sprinted through the Sahara, said of the series, ‘The Congo was one of the most amazing adventures I have ever been on.
‘It surprised me, it moved me, and it inspired me.
‘I have wanted to explore the Congo since I was a child, when I first read about the mighty Congo river, so the trip was a lifelong ambition that was more than I could have imagined.’
The Congo is home to the world’s second biggest rainforest, after the Amazon, and the Congo Basin has become one of the world’s top destinations for explorers, according to the 60-minute episodes.
Chris Brogden and Tayte Simpson, executive producers at Mentorn Media, said: ‘Producing this series was an extraordinary experience, showing the breadth of the Congo’s culture and natural beauty.
‘Ben spent time with one the world’s most extreme tribes, one that has never let cameras in before.
‘The filming proved to be profound and magical.’
It comes after Ben hinted of resurrecting the Castaway island 23 years after the programme established his career.
Sharing a photo of himself with the shore in the background, he wrote on Instagram: ‘The owners of Taransay are looking for someone to help restore the island and protect its social and cultural heritage.
‘It would make a great social enterprise working alongside the community of Harris to help restore the islands biodiversity but also to evolve the island.’
Ben has also just helped reunite a genuine real-life Australian castaway with his beloved dog Bella after they were separated for weeks at sea.
Into The Congo With Ben Fogle is expected to come to Channel 5 later this year.
Source My Celebrity Life.