0:00:02 > 0:00:05This is Kruger National Park, in South Africa.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Home to some of the biggest,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11fastest and deadliest animals on the planet.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16CBBC have brought four British and four South African children
0:00:16 > 0:00:21to spend a month here, training to be rookie game-rangers.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Leading them on this adventure will be their mentors,
0:00:24 > 0:00:26trails ranger Rudi...
0:00:26 > 0:00:30It's taken me years to learn to be a ranger. They've only got one month.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32..and guide, Frankie.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35In the bush, Danger can be around any corner. The Safari 8
0:00:35 > 0:00:38need to be alert and ready at any time.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Eight kids, two mentors and one massive challenge,
0:00:42 > 0:00:46to lead two celebrity guests on a safari experience of a lifetime.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09It's day one of Safari 8.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14And for our British rookie rangers, Ella, Kushal, Caroline and Tomas
0:01:14 > 0:01:19the adventure starts with a 5,000 mile journey to South Africa.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- You the lucky lady travelling?- Yes.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22For 12-year-old Ella,
0:01:22 > 0:01:27there's no question which African animal she's an "ele-fan" of.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30I'm looking forward to the elephants.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32I love elephants because
0:01:32 > 0:01:33they're big, chunky trunks.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36So Ella's psyched about the wildlife,
0:01:36 > 0:01:40but 13-year-old Caroline's got concerns about the call of nature.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43I'm always been scared of aeroplane toilets,
0:01:43 > 0:01:45cos the first time I went on them, it sucked me in!
0:01:45 > 0:01:48I've never been on them since.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Holding it in for a 12-hour flight could be interesting.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56And down-to-earth toilets aren't the only thing Caroline's going to miss.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00When I say goodbye to my mum, I'll probably end up crying.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03I promised myself I wouldn't, and I said I wouldn't,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05but it's inevitable. Mum, I love you so much.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Bye. Go on then!
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Boys, Kushal and Tomas are trying to stay strong.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15I don't think I'll cry. I'll try and hold it in, be a man.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19But if they cry, then I'll just try and keep it in.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21A month is a long time. But when you think of it,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23it's a trip of a lifetime.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27I think the other kids will be my new family for the next month.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31- Be good, love you! - Enjoy yourself, don't be cheeky!
0:02:32 > 0:02:34So, with waves, smiles and tears,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38the four Brits head off to catch their plane.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Waiting at Johannesburg airport,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46ready to join them on the flight to Kruger Park,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49is the South African half of the Safari 8 team.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54Nomalungelo, Manya, Sifiso and Ashleigh.
0:02:54 > 0:02:55Yours doesn't have a card on it.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59It's my first time on an aeroplane, and I guess it's going to be fun.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01I'm really excited to meet the guys,
0:03:01 > 0:03:04new people from different places, to know how they live.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09Just look at my sad face! Agh, it's just so sad!
0:03:09 > 0:03:14But for 14-year-old Nomalungelo from Pietermaritzburg,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17making friends with the Brits should be no problem at all.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22I'm a really outgoing person, and I'm really interactive with others.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I speak Zulu as a home language at home.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27I speak English here at school most of the time.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31During Afrikaans lessons we speak Afrikaans with one another.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35She's the kind of person who can enjoy to be with anybody.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39In fact, Nomalungelo takes talking to another level.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43I do debating at school, and I play the first speaker.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Debating is all about interacting with a person,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51and arguing at the same time in a respectful manner.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Nomalungelo also loves playing hockey, and...
0:03:54 > 0:03:56the marimba.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Marimba is the African xylophone.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02I didn't know much about it when I started playing it.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05But I enjoy playing marimba a lot. A lot.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08At home, Nomalungelo is just as outgoing as she is at school.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Sometimes we run around the house, we play balls.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16She's a lot of fun, and when you're with her, you enjoy it.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19We'll miss her. We'll miss her, but...
0:04:19 > 0:04:20we are happy for her.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25But how does Nomalungelo feel about the challenge that lies ahead?
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I expect Safari 8 to be really exciting.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31An adventure experience that's unforgettable.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38And their unforgettable experience is starting right now.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Its time to say goodbye to their family,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43and say hello to their brand new team-mates.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I can't wait to meet the kids from the UK.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50It's going to really exciting. I just can't wait!
0:04:50 > 0:04:53The four Brits have been in the air for over half a day.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57But they've finally landed, and after that long flight,
0:04:57 > 0:04:59it's the moment all eight have been waiting for.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04I love South African accents. I can enjoy listening to them speak.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07Hi!
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Hello! I'm Nomalungelo. Can you pronounce it?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14The Safari 8 have finally come together as a team.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17And although none of them has a clue what lies ahead,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19for the next four weeks
0:05:19 > 0:05:22of their training, they'll be getting to know each other.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27I'm looking forward to enjoying other kids, and having a really nice time.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31And seeing nature taking its course in the Kruger National Park.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Everyone's going to be great. We'll have the best time ever together.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39ALL: One, two, three, SAFARI!
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Over the next four weeks, the Safari 8 will be tracking rhinos,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47examining buffalos, and studying lions.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52They'll meet the mentors who'll be guiding them through their journey.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Lot of hard work ahead. Not a lot of sleep, but we will get there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- We can do anything.- Ha-ha!
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Our rookie rangers have a one-on-one to remember.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05It was my first time I touched an elephant. It was amazing!
0:06:05 > 0:06:09The team get their first glimpse of a completely wild animal.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Look, there! There!
0:06:17 > 0:06:20The Safari 8 are completing the final leg of their travels
0:06:20 > 0:06:22to Kruger National Park,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25where they'll be living and learning for the next four weeks.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29The park is home to some of the cutest, ugliest, cheekiest,
0:06:29 > 0:06:33freakiest and sleepiest living creatures on the planet.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Both the land and the animals are cared for by a team of game rangers.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Two of these animal experts have agreed
0:06:40 > 0:06:42to teach the Safari 8 for the next month.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44They are, Rudi and Frankie.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48They are waiting for our rookie rangers at an elephant sanctuary
0:06:48 > 0:06:51to give them their first ever ranger briefing.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52I'm so excited.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- Good morning, kids. - ALL: Morning.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Welcome to the Lowveld. I'm Rudi, I'm a ranger in Kruger National Park.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06I'm Frankie. The two of us will be your mentors.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08We look after the welfare of the animals.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13That means managing habitat and protecting them from outside dangers.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17For the next month, we're going to teach as much as you need to know
0:07:17 > 0:07:21about the bush, tracking animals, viewing animals.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24One thing you have to remember is this is a wild environment.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27There's no tame animals around. So safety always first.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30Going to be really early mornings,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32really hard work. Are you all up for it?
0:07:32 > 0:07:33ALL: Yes!
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Our eight rookie rangers better mean it,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39because Rudi and Frankie won't be going easy on them.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Our mentors live and work in Kruger Park
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and their job is one of the most challenging,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49dangerous and worthwhile on the planet.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50I always wanted to be a guide.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54I've got the biggest and best office in the world!
0:07:54 > 0:07:56With ten ranger years under his belt,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Rudi is one of Kruger's most experienced trails rangers.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03As well as leading safaris to track the Big Five on foot...
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Hmm, still fresh.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08..he looks after the animal's health and wellbeing.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11And Rudi's seen it all. From rhinos with attitude,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15to cranky crocodiles, and he's even been attacked by a lion.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18So he's got high expectations for the Safari 8.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23It's taken me years to learn to be a ranger. They've only got one month.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26I expect nothing less than 100% from these rookie rangers.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31Frankie is an expert safari guide who tracks the Big Five everyday.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34For five years he's worked in Kruger at a private lodge.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38If anyone knows how to give a perfect safari experience, it's him.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Leading a safari is not just about animals.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44It's about looking after your guests and catering for their every need.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48And he knows the challenge ahead for the Safari 8.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50In the bush, danger can be around any corner.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54The Safari 8 need to be alert and have to be ready at any time.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58With just one month to teach all the skills to become rookie rangers,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02have they bitten off more than they can chew?
0:09:02 > 0:09:04It's going to be hard work getting them into shape.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Getting their confidence up.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Lot of hard work ahead, not a lot of sleep, but we will get there.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- We can do anything!- Ha-ha!
0:09:12 > 0:09:14With introductions over,
0:09:14 > 0:09:19the mentors reveal the massive task lying ahead for the Safari 8.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21The reason why we're going through all this,
0:09:21 > 0:09:25is to prepare you guys for your final challenge.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28In your final challenge...
0:09:28 > 0:09:32you will be leading a safari for guests tracking the Big Five.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33That's so good!
0:09:33 > 0:09:39I'm so excited to be able to know how to track animals. It's like, wow!
0:09:39 > 0:09:41We're a team. If anyone forgets,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44we can just remind each other along the way.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46What our rookie rangers don't know
0:09:46 > 0:09:49is that their guests are celebrities.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51And they'll have to compete with their team-mates
0:09:51 > 0:09:54to get the best jobs on the two-day challenge.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58By "tracking the animals", do you mean smelling their poo?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- We're going to teach you to do that, yes.- Eew!
0:10:01 > 0:10:04- Tomas.- What are the Big Five?
0:10:04 > 0:10:08The Big Five is rhino, elephant, leopard, lion and buffalo.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13I'm feeling nervous about tracking the Big Five on the last day.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17I think we will need to put a lot of work and effort in,
0:10:17 > 0:10:18to make it happen.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Tomas is right to be nervous.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23The Big Five are some of the most dangerous animals on the planet,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25and the ones everyone wants to see.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28Our team will be getting a hands-on experience
0:10:28 > 0:10:30with these wild creatures.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Have you had any dangerous experiences?
0:10:33 > 0:10:35I've been attacked by a lion before.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39I really want to know what happened with Rudi and the lion.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Find out, and make a story out of it.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46To make it as a game-ranger, a love of wildlife is essential,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48so it's high time our rookie rangers
0:10:48 > 0:10:52got their first face-to-face experience with a safari animal.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56And tame African elephants, Casper and Kitso
0:10:56 > 0:11:00are the perfect way to ease them in gently.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- Wow!- Look at them!- They're enormous!
0:11:04 > 0:11:07It's quite a privilege to see animals this close.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10You guys know why these elephants are here?
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Could they have been orphaned or something? Mother's died,
0:11:14 > 0:11:15- or something?- Yes.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18Kushal is spot on. Both Kitso and Casper
0:11:18 > 0:11:22were taken in by the elephant sanctuary as young calves
0:11:22 > 0:11:25to be cared for after they lost their parents.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29They come here to be rehabilitated, and then we reintroduce them
0:11:29 > 0:11:30back into the wild.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33We bring new rangers down here
0:11:33 > 0:11:36so that they can come and see, what you guys are experiencing.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40See what an elephant looks like up close and personal.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44My first impression of the elephants was, wow! Really cool.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Then when he said we could touch them, was like, WOW!
0:11:48 > 0:11:5314-year-old Ashleigh is impressed. But for 12-year-old, elephant-mad,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Ella from London, getting a chance to come nose to trunk
0:11:56 > 0:12:00with the elephants is a lifelong dream come true.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Touching an elephant was quite emotional,
0:12:03 > 0:12:04I've always wanted to do it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:09Quite overwhelming really. Probably, it was one of my favourite days.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Been the best day of my life so far!
0:12:11 > 0:12:16And judging by Ella's bedroom, that's not hard to believe.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19This is my room, as you can see, Ella's Room.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24I've got a lot of elephants cos they're my favourite animal.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26There's a baby and a little mum.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29They're such magnificent creatures.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33I love them for their uniqueness to all the other animals.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I would love to see and meet an animal
0:12:35 > 0:12:38just as big and magnificent as that.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43You can definitely see the resemblance of a tiger in her.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Ella doesn't just love elephants, she loves all animals.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51From her cat, Rosie, to the bugs at the bottom of her garden.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Sometimes we go into the garden with the camera
0:12:53 > 0:12:58and Ella takes the lead. She's passionate about being a narrator.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00My main ambition in life,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03is to probably be like a David Attenborough.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Let's start over here.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09This is a really, really cool spot for animals.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13Thank you for coming and watching. See you next time.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16The wildlife is the biggest plus of going on safari.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19But is there one luxury Ella's definitely going to miss?
0:13:19 > 0:13:24- Ella couldn't live without her phone. - She's always talking on her mobile.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27I do talk to my friends a lot on the phone,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30and I probably run up £100 a month.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- PHONE RINGS - Is that my phone?
0:13:32 > 0:13:33OK, I'll reject that.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36But, in spite of missing her mobile,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Ella can't wait to start her ranger training in South Africa.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45I'd love to be a park ranger because you get to be around animals 24/7.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I'm looking forward to everything.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Ella's ranger training has officially started.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55Every task the team are given will help them achieve their goal
0:13:55 > 0:13:59of becoming fully fledged, rookie game rangers.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02And the first lesson for the new recruits to learn,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05is that staying calm around wild animals is vital.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Even though Kitso and Casper were handled from a young age,
0:14:09 > 0:14:13any sudden movements could frighten them.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16It was scary. Normally on TV, when you see an elephant
0:14:16 > 0:14:18you never think about how huge it is.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20When I got near it I was like, oh my gosh!
0:14:20 > 0:14:23If only my mum could see me now!
0:14:23 > 0:14:27It was the first time I'd touched an elephant. It was amazing!
0:14:29 > 0:14:33It's quite bumpy, and it's got a lot of wrinkles,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35but it was absolutely amazing.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39Elephants are really different. You expect them to be all soft,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42but they are really hard, their feet are really hard.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Ooh!
0:14:44 > 0:14:45ELEPHANT RUMBLES
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I actually heard them, kind of talk.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50It's kind of like a purr, if you know what I mean.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53But a really big noise. It's really weird.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Now you have seen your first elephants, it's now time for us
0:14:58 > 0:15:03to take you into Kruger Park where the hard work and training starts.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Follow us, guys.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Bye, Casper!
0:15:10 > 0:15:15Coming up, the teams settle in to their rocking new ranger pad.
0:15:15 > 0:15:16Oh, cool!
0:15:16 > 0:15:20Your scenery is your TV. It's like live, HD television.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22There's an uninvited visitor in camp.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26The boys screamed at a higher pitch than the girls.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30And mentor Rudi spills the beans about his big cat encounter.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35..if she had any power left in her jaws, I would have been dead.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42It's finally time for the Safari 8 to enter Kruger National Park,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46where they'll learn to be game-rangers for the next month.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51At 20,000km square, the park is as big as Wales.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55In fact it would take you 120 hours of solid walking
0:15:55 > 0:15:58to cross from the north to the south of the park.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02At this time of year, the maximum average temperature
0:16:02 > 0:16:05in Kruger is hot. Over 30 degrees hot!
0:16:05 > 0:16:10But the heat doesn't bother the 175,000 animals that live here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:16Including over 12,000 elephants, 17,000 zebra and 27,000 buffalo.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Being out here is like this whole new experience.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23You see these different things you can't see at home.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26It's important to remember that this isn't a zoo.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29These animals are wild and dangerous,
0:16:29 > 0:16:34so Rudi and Frankie lay down some serious safari rules.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40When we're in the vehicle, you guys need to be as quiet as possible.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Especially when we're on a sighting.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46The animals do get close, don't try and call them closer.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Don't start pointing at animals. They can see the silhouette,
0:16:52 > 0:16:56and that's when they either start moving away or get aggressive.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03Stay seated at all times. That's the most important one to remember.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Although the park is home to thousands of animals,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11it's sheer size means sometimes they're amazingly hard to spot.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Our intrepid team of rookie rangers have their eyes peeled,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17hoping they will be the first to see a wild animal
0:17:17 > 0:17:21and follow the ranger rules they've just learned.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- A giraffe!- A giraffe!- Where?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- Look, there!- Oh my God!
0:17:27 > 0:17:30That's some serious rule breaking.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- Shh!- What did we say, guys?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Wow!
0:17:34 > 0:17:38So nice! I knew you'd see one first.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39Look at the other one.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42One, two, three, four, five! Yeah, yeah!
0:17:42 > 0:17:46Wow, they're amazing!
0:17:46 > 0:17:49I'm really excited because this is what we really came for,
0:17:49 > 0:17:51just seeing all the animals.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Bye giraffe! See you later!
0:17:53 > 0:17:56It's going to be so overwhelming, going to be so fun!
0:17:56 > 0:18:00They may have their first wild animal sighting in the bag,
0:18:00 > 0:18:05but the Safari 8 are a long way from completing their final challenge.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10Taking guests on a two-day safari experience to track the Big Five.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15If they're learning to be rangers, they'll need to live like them too.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Just check out this fierce tree house.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21With a funky front yard, or "Lapa",
0:18:22 > 0:18:27eight beds and two bathrooms, this is one serious safari crib.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31And let's not forget the piece de resistance...
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Are you ready to check out your new home?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- ALL: Yeah!- Off you go.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Ah!
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Ah, cool! This is so cool!
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Wow! Oh, my God, so cool! I've never seen anything
0:18:50 > 0:18:54in my life like the tree house. It's amazing.
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- Ah look!- Ah!
0:18:56 > 0:19:00The view from the tree house is incredible. Absolutely amazing.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- Its amazing.- Look at my net and everything!
0:19:03 > 0:19:05It's so cool.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Oh, this tree house is so cool!
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Its like you don't need a TV.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Your scenery is your TV. It's like live, HD television.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Dibs, dibs!
0:19:15 > 0:19:17We can see like everything.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21I can't wait to see a lion making it's roaring noise!
0:19:21 > 0:19:22ROAR! Can't wait.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- Look!- An impala look! Guys, an impala!
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Everyone seems to be blown away by the tree house,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33and no-one more so than 12-year-old Tomas, from Swansea.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36It's absolutely nothing like Wales.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38In Wales, you've got sheep.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Here you have hippopotamuses, giraffes, elephants.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44It's not just sheep in Wales, Tomas.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46You seem to be forgetting the pigeons.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49My grandpa likes to race pigeons.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52And he thinks of it as a bit of a sport.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55And he's won a couple of trophies.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Well, on a weekend when he does come up here,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03I take him into the shed and he gives me a hand to clean out.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07But Tomas doesn't just love pigeons. He loves all animals,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09including his furry, faithful pet.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11My dog's name is Molly, I feed her in the mornings.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14And I take her for lots of walks.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18Because I'm an only child, having Molly is like a sister.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19She's quite fun!
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Luckily, Tomas has some non-canine relatives too.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27He's got four boy cousins which he's really close to.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31Tomas makes friends really easily. He's very outgoing, very sociable.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35And being an only child does have its pros and cons.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38The advantages are, you get more for Christmas.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41And the disadvantages are you get quite bored in the house.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45You've got no-one to play on the games console with.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Boy, does Tomas love playing with his gadgets.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53The things I'll miss most has probably got to be my computer,
0:20:53 > 0:20:56my mobile phone, my friends, my family and my dog.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Er, in that order Tomas?
0:20:58 > 0:21:03No...I'd probably put it family, friends,
0:21:03 > 0:21:09my dog Molly, my laptop and then my mobile phone.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12That's better. All that aside,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Tomas couldn't be more excited about his adventure.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I think it's going to be a chance of a lifetime.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20And I'm very lucky to get through.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26As the Safari 8 settle into their swanky new bush pad,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30they're suddenly confronted with their first big test
0:21:30 > 0:21:33towards completing their final ranger challenge...
0:21:33 > 0:21:34Animal handling.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- I don't like spiders! - It's a daddy-longlegs, man!
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It's got long legs, don't it!
0:21:42 > 0:21:46It's worrying. The boys screamed at a higher pitch than the girls.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- Is it poisonous?- No. - What is it?- It's a daddy-longlegs.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56Kushal was screaming like a girl. I was like, what are you doing!?
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Manya is a brave little boy. I take my hat off to him.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04He immediately took the spider onto his hand. No problems.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Has it lost a leg?
0:22:06 > 0:22:07I've always loved the bush.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10It's really cool to be around the animals,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12and be really part of nature.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- I'm not touching that, sorry. - Come on!
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- Don't let him near my bed! - Do you want to be rookie rangers?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21If I don't like it, I'm chucking it!
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- It's not going to do anything. - Can I have a glove?
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Just let it walk onto you.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I can't believe they're so scared!
0:22:28 > 0:22:33Especially the English kids, they're so scared of spiders.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- I'm not scared. - I see that. Sorry, Sifiso.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- We need to work on Kushal, eh? - Ja. He's scared.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Sifiso really isn't impressed with the Brits.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Although it doesn't take long before Tomas steps up to the plate...
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Come, put your hand here.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50..with a helping hand from Rudi.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56But Kushal is still cowering in the corner.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- Part of a team. - If Tomas can do it, you can do it.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Can I have it just for a bit? - Ja, I'll take it off you.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Kushal touched the spider after a while.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- There you go.- Can you take it please?- Why?- That's enough now.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- I held it. Finished. Game over. - Well done.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17First step to becoming a ranger.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Sorry, I have a phobia of spiders.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22In spite of some of the team members' hesitation
0:23:22 > 0:23:24to handle the long-legged intruder,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Mentor Rudi can see ranger potential in the group.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32It's a good thing that they actually reacted to the spider
0:23:32 > 0:23:33before picking it up.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38It's always a good thing not to pick up things in the bush. They did well.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42All right, kids. As rangers or guides,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44after a hard day in the bush,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47we always sit around a fire and just have a chat to each other.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Have you any questions now?
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Rudi, can you carry on your story about the lion attack?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Ja. Ahem...
0:23:55 > 0:24:01I'd been working as a trails ranger in the Park, taking guests out.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Normally with lions, as soon as they see people on foot, they run away.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11At one stage we did see lions, we saw the female. She was a bit aggressive,
0:24:11 > 0:24:12growling at us.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16She didn't want to run away, so I thought it was quite unusual.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21We started walking away, and as we walked away, she charged us.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23As she came around the bush,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26I shot a warning shot into the ground in front of her.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It didn't phase her at all.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33She just kept on coming. She was about three metres away from me,
0:24:33 > 0:24:34and then she jumped,
0:24:34 > 0:24:40and as she came past me, I turned and I shot her through the jaw.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44She dropped for a split-second and then she was up again.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48She put her claw out and she grabbed me on my side.
0:24:48 > 0:24:52We started spinning together, I lost my rifle at that stage,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56and she was right on top of me. She started mauling me,
0:24:56 > 0:25:01started ripping my arms. I put my arms over my head.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Suddenly, I don't know why,
0:25:03 > 0:25:08the weight was just lifted, and I looked out and I saw her running off.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12If she had any power left in her jaws, I would have been dead.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17I couldn't see out of my right eye, she scratched me inside my eye.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22You can come and have a look at the scars around my arms, here.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- Wow!- And the sides, and the back...
0:25:26 > 0:25:31The scars up his arm are really deep. I couldn't imagine...
0:25:31 > 0:25:35I was just sitting there, stiffened up. It was horrible.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36I was so...wow!
0:25:36 > 0:25:40It actually went on him and started scratching him!
0:25:40 > 0:25:44I think I would wet my pants even if I saw that on telly!
0:25:44 > 0:25:46I was quite shocked by that.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51Why did none of the people shoot the lion?
0:25:51 > 0:25:55When she was busy mauling me, apparently my assistant, he shot
0:25:55 > 0:26:00either side of the lion quite a few times to get her to leave me alone.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I didn't hear it because adrenaline just takes over.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05I didn't hear any shots.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10Why I'm telling you this is because you really need to be serious.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16It's not a zoo out there. So you really need to get an early night
0:26:16 > 0:26:20so we can start your training and keep you as safe as possible.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23So with Rudi's lion story still ringing in their ears
0:26:23 > 0:26:26the Safari 8 can't wait to report on their first day
0:26:26 > 0:26:27as rookie game rangers.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30The first day's been so challenging,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34so nice and it has been an amazing experience.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36I'm missing my cat,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40and I'm missing my phone. So much, my phone.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43I'm getting on well with all the girls in the park,
0:26:43 > 0:26:44but especially Ella
0:26:44 > 0:26:48because it's nice we have something to relate to.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51There's quite a few differences between us.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Sometimes I really don't understand what Tomas says.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56I'm like, "Tomas, can you repeat that?"
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Our vocabulary's different.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01They say things like "budge up".
0:27:01 > 0:27:03I'm like, what are you saying?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Cos we say "move over", you know?
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I'm getting along with Sifiso really good.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12But if he snores, he's out of here.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Today, the person I probably got the best on with
0:27:16 > 0:27:18was probably Kushal... yeah, Kushal.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21We share interest with football and cricket.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23He's good at cricket.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26We talk about that. And games and music.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28I'm sure after the Safari experience,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Kushal and I will stay friends.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Day one has been absolutely... Bizam!
0:27:34 > 0:27:35It's been fantastic.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Cannot wait for what's in store tomorrow.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Next time on Safari 8, the team get suited and booted.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- I want all your shoes polished every day. That includes mine.- What!?
0:27:46 > 0:27:49A safari walk leads to a shocking discovery.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51I'm not good with dead things.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53And a ranger initiation gives
0:27:53 > 0:27:56the team their first real taste of the bush.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01When I had to actually pick it up and put it in my mouth... Eurgh!