Into the Congo with Ben Fogle

Into the Congo with Ben Fogle (2024- )

RunningDocumentary showAdventure, Travel

In this thrilling new series, fearless adventurer Ben Fogle embarks on his most extreme journey to date… into the Congo, one of the most mysterious and perilous places on earth.

Ben travels deep into the Congo's remote and stunning rainforests, to immerse himself with native tribes and to discover how ancient ways of life are still thriving. He encounters some of the planet's most awe-inspiring wildlife, coming face to face with the majestic and elusive lowland gorillas.

From the shores of the mighty Congo River to the bustling streets of Brazzaville, Ben encounters inspiring people, from glass-eating voodoo wrestlers to dandy-style fashionistas, and experiences the vibrant culture that makes Congo "the beating heart of Africa". Join Ben on this epic journey of adventure and discovery as he explores the hidden wonders and secrets of this magical land.

Network
Scheduleevery Sunday at 21:00 (60 min)

Last Episode

Episode 3
Season 1Episode 360 min

Episode 3

On this final leg of his journey, Ben encounters the mighty Congo River for the first time. A trade super-highway, this great river allowed 19th century Europeans to plunder the resources of Central Africa and enrich their Colonial Empires - and it's still a lifeline for millions today.

Near the capital, Brazzaville, the Congo River transforms into the deadliest rapids on the planet, and Ben meets the daredevil fishermen risking their lives to put food on the table. He joins them on the edge of the banks where over a million cubic feet of water flow past every second. The fishermen dive into these fierce rapids to secure their nets, much to Ben's astonishment and concern.

The Congo's treacherous rapids led French and Belgian traders to build their respective colonial capitals on opposite banks of the river. Ben explores Brazzaville's French colonial legacy and meets the city's famous "Sapeurs" - African style-icons who mix Congolese fashion with French haute-couture. He visits a local market with "Congo's best dressed man", Sapeur Maxime Pivot, to choose flamboyant material for his next attention-grabbing outfit, before seeing the Sapeurs in action in a street fashion show.

European colonisation also left a darker legacy in the Congo, and Ben learns how conflict and chaos in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo is threatening the stability of the region.

Ben's epic Congo journey goes out with a bang as he dives into the surreal, mad-cap world of Congolese wrestling, in which fighters use the ancient magical powers of "Juju" to defeat their opponents. He watches on awe-struck (and a little horrified) as grown men dress up as mermaids, set themselves on fire, brandish live snakes and eat glass bottles. As Ben says himself, it's "just another day in the Congo".

Mar 3, 2024

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E03Episode 3Mar 3, 2024
S01E02Episode 2Feb 25, 2024
S01E01Episode 1Feb 18, 2024
View all episodesView all seasons

Cast

View all cast

Characters

View all characters

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
LEGO Masters
Running

LEGO Masters

Based on the hit British reality-competition series of the same name, LEGO Masters brings imagination, design and creativity to life when teams of LEGO enthusiasts go head-to-head, with infinite possibilities and an unlimited supply of LEGO bricks. Teams of two will compete against each other in ambitious brick-building challenges to be crowned the country's most talented amateur LEGO builders. In each episode, the competing pairs who most impress the judges will progress to the next round, until the finale, during which the top teams will face off for a cash prize, the ultimate LEGO trophy and the grand title of LEGO Masters.

Jimmy Kimmel Live
Running

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Jimmy Kimmel Live features a diverse lineup of guests that include celebrities, athletes, musical acts, comedians and human-interest subjects, along with comedy bits and a house band.

GenreComedy
The Librarians: The Next Chapter
Running

The Librarians: The Next Chapter

The Librarians: The Next Chapter centers on Vikram Chamberlain, a "Librarian" from the past who time traveled from 1847 and now finds himself stuck in the present. When Vikram returns to his castle in Belgrade, Serbia and discovers that it is now a museum, he inadvertently releases magic across the continent. With the help of a new team of eclectic heroes, including a savant in world history, a scientific genius, and a highly skilled Guardian, Vikram has only six months to clean up the mess he made.

Worst Cooks in America
Running

Worst Cooks in America

Chef Anne Burrell is back for a seventh season of trying to turn some of America's worst cooks into kitchen stars. This time, however, the recruits are seven celebrities who can showcase their talents on TV and in movies, but not no so much in the kitchen. Burrell competes against Worst Cooks in America newcomer Rachael Ray to see which chef can lead one contestant to make the most impressive culinary transformation. Actors Dean Cain, Ellen Cleghorne, Jaleel White and Barry Williams join reality stars Jenni "JWoww" Farley, Chris Soules and Kendra Wilkinson in boot camp. The winning star gets $50,000 for charity and bragging rights for his or her mentor. Not all of the celebrities will make the cut, however; after an opening potluck dinner each mentor selects three recruits to be on her team, leaving one celebrity to be sent home before the competition really begins. Burrell is looking to extend her record to 5-2, while Ray looks to get the win in her first season.

GenreFood
Doc
Running

Doc

Doc centers on the hard-charging, brilliant Dr. Amy Larsen, Chief of Internal and Family Medicine at Westside Hospital in Minneapolis. After a brain injury erases the last eight years of her life, Amy must navigate an unfamiliar world where she has no recollection of patients she's treated, colleagues she's crossed, the soulmate she divorced, the man she now loves and the tragedy that caused her to push everyone away. She can rely only on her estranged 17-year-old daughter, whom she remembers as a 9-year-old, and a handful of devoted friends, as she struggles to continue practicing medicine, despite having lost nearly a decade of knowledge and experience.