0:00:01 > 0:00:05Seven young explorers take on the biggest challenge of their lives.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09An epic adventure in the heart of Africa.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11It'll take them far from civilisation,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14- encountering endangered wildlife. - Such an adrenalin rush!
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Witnessing unique tribal ceremonies.
0:00:17 > 0:00:18Wow!
0:00:18 > 0:00:22- And trekking where none have been before.- So amazing.
0:00:22 > 0:00:29They're following in the legendary footsteps of the great Scottish explorer, Dr David Livingstone.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33And the demanding expedition will push them to the very limit.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35- It is a wake-up call.- Horrible!
0:00:36 > 0:00:41Have they got what it takes to be serious explorers?
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Coming up, life at sea hits a new low.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Just can't stop throwing up.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52A VIP welcome, African-style.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54It's like we're celebrities!
0:00:54 > 0:00:57And guests of honour at a unique show.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00I've never seen anything like it!
0:01:00 > 0:01:05Previously on Serious Explorers - the young adventurers set sail in two traditional dhows,
0:01:05 > 0:01:09following Livingstone's route down the African coast.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Wow!
0:01:11 > 0:01:15They had an astounding rare encounter with humpback whales.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17But they were less lucky with the weather -
0:01:17 > 0:01:22as time and the tide ran out, one of the boats got stuck on a sandbank.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Expeditions are full of surprises, ups and downs,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and we're a classic example of that.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33They finally reached their overnight stop on the tiny island of Jibondo at 2am.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36It was a rude awakening to the world of exploring.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38I didn't expect that on the first day!
0:01:38 > 0:01:39The longest day of my life.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43I'm hungry and tired.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47But they have little time to rest.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52They're woken at 7.00am by expedition leaders Ben Major, an ex-army officer,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and Polly Murray, a record-breaking explorer.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58For the next stage of their voyage,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02the whole team will be aboard one much larger traditional dhow.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07A thing of beauty.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11It's the most graceful... entry onto the boat ever!
0:02:11 > 0:02:13- I'm on!- Right.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20So much bigger than I thought it'd be, I thought it was the size of a normal one.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25But it's massive now, and there's lots of room to move around, and to sleep.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Conditions are extremely basic, but after yesterday's small dhows,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31it feels like luxury.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34It has shelters, like whoa!
0:02:34 > 0:02:37It is huge. It has a toilet! Yes!
0:02:37 > 0:02:38Oh, my God!
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Or at least a hole in the deck.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45- Straight into the sea!- I think it's good, cos there's some privacy while you're doing your business.
0:02:45 > 0:02:51It's better than the other ones where you had to squat over the boat or jump in or something like that.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58The Serious Explorers prepare to continue their journey in the wake of David Livingstone,
0:02:58 > 0:03:05down the east African coast, retracing key parts of the Scottish explorer's last expedition.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11150 years ago, Livingstone sailed to the village of Pemba,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14before heading in to unexplored parts of Tanzania.
0:03:15 > 0:03:21The young explorers have a further sail of nearly 200 miles from Jibondo to reach the village,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23before following him inland.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30What the explorers don't know is that when they arrive in Pemba,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34they'll be guests of honour at an amazing tribal display.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37It means they've got a very tight deadline.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39Speed, speed, guys.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43To get there in time for the show, they have just three days to sail the 200 miles.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Helping them are expert local sailors,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48but there's no time to lose.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52We're going to be the most efficient boat crew off East Africa!
0:03:59 > 0:04:05Traditional dhows like this have sailed up and down the African coast for more than 1,000 years.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11The boats are completely dependent on the wind. With no motor,
0:04:11 > 0:04:14they rely on just one big sail to drive them along.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15The sail is huge.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18It takes about 10 people to actually lift it up.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22Everything is on such a huge scale.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26It just makes everything, like, 10 times harder.
0:04:26 > 0:04:32Before long, one of the explorers has to brave the primitive toilet perched over the back of the dhow.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34- You having fun in there, Ali? - No!
0:04:34 > 0:04:38You know you're meant to squat, not sit down.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Oh.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Ali also has to get used to having no loo roll.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Local custom is to use your left hand instead.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Toilet paper...is this.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Oh, disgusting!
0:04:51 > 0:04:57I've washed my hands like seven times with the anti-bacterial stuff, and I don't feel clean.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Sailing close to coral reefs and desert islands,
0:05:02 > 0:05:06the explorers start to appreciate why Livingstone loved coming
0:05:06 > 0:05:08to this part of the world.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13It's what you see on a postcard, it just looks so beautiful.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16But as they leave the shelter of the coral reefs,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19the dhow starts to roll around in the ocean waves.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22There's trouble brewing in paradise.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28We're going up and down quite a lot at the moment.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I'm starting to feel it, but I think after a few hours,
0:05:31 > 0:05:32I'll get used to it.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37I just feel really sick.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Suck in lungfuls of fresh air, and look at the horizon.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44You're just going to have to fight through it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47If you are feeling sick, get it over the side,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50and try not to get it over other people.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Oh!
0:05:52 > 0:05:54It's all right, it's normal. Don't worry.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00I can't really stand up for more than five minutes without
0:06:00 > 0:06:03having to sit down again, because I feel so sick.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08At the beginning, I was feeling fine, but as soon as it got quite choppy,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11I started to feel queasy, and disorientated.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19To combat the seasickness, the worst affected take turns steering the boat,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22forcing them to focus on the horizon.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26When I was steering, I just started to feel better,
0:06:26 > 0:06:30so I think I'm going to enjoy the rest of the journey, actually!
0:06:31 > 0:06:34With no modern equipment like fridges on board,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37David Livingstone took live animals with him,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41so that while he was sailing, he could slaughter them for meat.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46The Serious Explorers' dhow is also without electricity,
0:06:46 > 0:06:52and they'll be vegetarian for the voyage, apart from any fish they catch as they go.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Oh, yeah!
0:06:53 > 0:06:54David, David!
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Lunch is a local fruit called papaya,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04and despite a few fragile stomachs, they all decide to give it a go.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08I just thought maybe eating might help.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Just if I have something in my belly, something to be sick up.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14And that'll make me feel better.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20Unfortunately, things are about to take a turn for the worse.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24The dhow's ancient design means it rolls from side to side,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26far more than a modern boat.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31And the seasickness is soon back with a vengeance.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Now almost everyone feels diabolical.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Who's feeling...?
0:07:42 > 0:07:43OK, OK.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46I guess that'll be James, then!
0:07:48 > 0:07:52So far, it's been really tough. I've got terrible seasickness,
0:07:52 > 0:07:58and I just can't stop throwing up, so it's a real nightmare, really.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I'll get over it in a bit, I hope.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Thousands of miles from home, it all becomes too much for Sharon.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17Along with the seasickness, she gets a bad case of homesickness.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- I'm surprised it's taken this long for one of you to feel like this. - I miss my mum.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26I know you do. I know. And there's nothing wrong with that.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30First time you've been away from home, yeah, for a long time?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Just really harsh.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I'm just feeling really...
0:08:37 > 0:08:39I'm really missing home.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43I'm just...
0:08:44 > 0:08:48I feel bad cos I don't want to be here, but...I do.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55I don't know, I just keep thinking of what my family would say, but...
0:08:55 > 0:08:57that just makes me get more upset.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00I'm just feeling like I can't do it.
0:09:02 > 0:09:08Fresh fish is on the menu for supper. And the ship's captain demonstrates how to prepare it.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12But with their dodgy tummies, the smell of raw fish is the last thing most of the team need.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24Matt is the only explorer who hasn't yet felt sick,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and he bravely volunteers to help with the gutting.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Low as you can, next to the bone.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Take it from its tail.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33It's gross.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38And it was disgusting, and we've left it for Matt to do, as we're all staying well clear of this!
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Amazingly, amidst all the fish guts, Matt's iron stomach holds out.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45Good job!
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Well done, Matt.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Not looking TOO bad. Yeah, quite proud of it.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56He even decides to push his luck by tasting a raw fish eye.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00This is the only part of the fish that has fresh water in it
0:10:00 > 0:10:03so in a survival situation, you'd eat the eyeball.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Matt is going to give it a whirl.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- Unless it makes me throw up. - Give it a go.- Do I just chew it?
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Yeah.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15You can chew it, yeah. Down the hatch!
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Don't stick it on your mouth.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22I have.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24It tastes bony.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29Ugh! This is disgusting.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32It feels like bones. It doesn't taste that bad though.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Surprisingly.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40By the end of the day they've sailed into another area full of dangerous
0:10:40 > 0:10:45coral reefs, and the tide is getting too low to proceed safely.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48So as the last light fades they drop anchor.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51We're in the middle of the sea
0:10:51 > 0:10:53and I feel sick.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56It's the worst feeling ever.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58I'm finding it so hard.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01I've been sick countless times.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05I feel awful.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07The smell of sick.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11That disgusting smell just travels and you just smell it. Horrible!
0:11:11 > 0:11:18It's not pleasant for them, particularly James and David.
0:11:18 > 0:11:23They have been quite sick. Probably tomorrow they'll feel a lot better. Let's hope.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- It's not nice for them. - 8 o'clock in the evening
0:11:27 > 0:11:32and David is fast asleep and he can't even hold down a cup of tea at the moment.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39Matt and the boat crew have cooked up a Tanzanian speciality, fish stew with rice.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42But will anyone be able to keep it down?
0:11:43 > 0:11:47It's quite nice to be eating fresh food and a nice stew.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50It should either make everyone feel either a bit better or it
0:11:50 > 0:11:54will go the other way and they will feel horrible.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58David, do you want some food?
0:12:00 > 0:12:04Doesn't this look fantastic?
0:12:04 > 0:12:06It looks delicious.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11And it's really cool because we just caught the three fish and we're eating them now.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14It feels really good to get
0:12:14 > 0:12:19some food into my stomach finally.
0:12:20 > 0:12:26I'm not going to eat too much more because I feel I might throw it up so I will have to stop now.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29But, no, it's really nice.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32I'm really tired right now.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35I could do with a long nap.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40But a good long sleep is out of the question.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44To stay on schedule they need to sail whenever they can,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47and the tide will be high enough at three in the morning.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51It's really annoying how we only have a little bit of sleep.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55I hope you have a good night's kip, albeit very short.
0:12:57 > 0:13:03The explorers have been split into teams in a watch system, with two hours on duty, and four hours off.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06First up will be Sian, Ali and Matt.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Matty! Good morning! It's 2.30.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14And you're on watch, I'm afraid.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17OK? Did you sleep all right?
0:13:17 > 0:13:18- No.- OK.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29I didn't actually sleep that well because of an uncomfortable bit of wood but...
0:13:31 > 0:13:34After just four hours sleep, they're feeling shell-shocked.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Once we get going it will be all right.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Right now is seems awful.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49I'm still a bit "wuh"
0:13:49 > 0:13:52but let's go for it and see if we can get there.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Pull in a direct line as the other rope. It's easier.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59They're away in good time, but with the winds in the wrong
0:13:59 > 0:14:04direction progress is slow, and they've now less than two days left.
0:14:06 > 0:14:13So far, they've sailed around 60 miles from Jibondo but they still have 140 miles left to reach Pemba.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16It's going to be a close-run thing.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22And in the cold light of day, it becomes clear it's not just the wind that's against them.
0:14:22 > 0:14:28Any hopes that they might have got their sea legs prove far from reality.
0:14:28 > 0:14:34The disrupted sleep combined with the ocean waves leave most of them feeling as bad as ever.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35Sorry!
0:14:37 > 0:14:41We're down to one able-bodied person.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44People come on deck to try and get some air and they are either flat
0:14:44 > 0:14:46or there are hanging over the side going "blah".
0:14:46 > 0:14:53I'm hoping that later on today people will start getting through the worst of it and will be able
0:14:53 > 0:14:57to pull together and enjoy what is
0:14:57 > 0:15:00an amazing place and an amazing mode of travel.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It's horrible when everyone is ill.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09It's not very nice even if you're not ill, because
0:15:09 > 0:15:14you can't really enjoy it when everyone else is feeling rubbish.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18They're now sailing almost directly into the wind, and the leaders ask
0:15:18 > 0:15:23for as many hands as possible on deck to keep the boat on track.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Yeah, off, off, off. - But three of the team,
0:15:26 > 0:15:31Ali, Sian and David feel too ill to come up top at all.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35Every time I sit up I feel sick.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38It's so annoying, because I want to be able to help.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Every time I do I want to throw up.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44I feel like I can't do anything and if I'm up there I'm just
0:15:44 > 0:15:48going to be in the way, because every time I go up I feel sick.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54So, I just feel quite useless.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59Lunch today is a popular Tanzanian dish, ugali,
0:15:59 > 0:16:04a type of maize, which the local crew are preparing with fish.
0:16:04 > 0:16:09The explorers desperately need to get more food down, but will this prove a step too far?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Throughout Livingstone's Tanzania expedition, he relied greatly on ugali, which he had as a kind of
0:16:17 > 0:16:22porridge for breakfast, and like a gritty mashed potato for dinner.
0:16:22 > 0:16:27He claimed to enjoy it greatly, but it's certainly not to everyone's taste.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It's the first time the Explorers team have tried it...
0:16:33 > 0:16:36and it doesn't go down too well.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I can taste almost sand in it.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43It's quite disgusting, really.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47I got a horrible bit of really salty sand and a fish taste.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49I had to spit it out, because I've been feeling sick.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54I'm not that hungry today. I don't think I'll be having a lot of it.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00I feel sorry for Livingstone having to eat that all the time because it's not very appetising.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06For the Serious Explorers, it seems the ugali lunch is the last straw.
0:17:06 > 0:17:13As the tropical sun beats down almost all disappear below, feeling seasick and sorry for themselves.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17I don't want to lie in the sun and at the minute there isn't any shade on deck.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19When there's shade on deck I'll go back up.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25It's hot and smelly in the hold, making them feel even worse.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31By late afternoon, Ben decides they urgently need a breath of fresh air.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36Some of you have not even seen the light of day today.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38I'm scared, because I've not got any sun cream on.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Well, that's not exactly difficult.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46Most importantly, it's 5.20 and the sun goes down in half an hour. Yeah?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48So, it's not going to be a biggy.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Exciting report. Seven people on deck.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02They're rewarded with a stunning sunset,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05which works wonders in raising team spirits.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17Most feel so much better, they start to feel really hungry, and fantasise about their favourite food.
0:18:20 > 0:18:21I just wanted some chocolate.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Some crisps, or an eclair.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29A pizza or lasagne. That would be so good.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Oh, yeah, that'd be good. Or some garlic bread.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34Yeah.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38After two tough days on the dhow, everyone is now counting down
0:18:38 > 0:18:41the hours till they reach dry land tomorrow afternoon.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44I cannot wait to get off this boat.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46I can't wait to get back to land.
0:18:46 > 0:18:52What I would give for us to just turn and go to land...
0:18:53 > 0:18:57And their wishes are about to come true, far sooner than they think.
0:18:57 > 0:19:03During the night the wind and currents turn completely against them.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06Get the boom to the mast.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11They're getting pushed backwards and they have to change direction over and over to try to make progress.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15OK. Loosen it. Loosen this one. Loosen.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20The struggle against the elements goes on all night.
0:19:21 > 0:19:27But it's a losing battle and they end up several miles further back than when they started.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37By first light, they realise it's going to be impossible to reach Pemba in time for the evening show.
0:19:37 > 0:19:43They've covered 120 miles, but are dead in the water 80 miles short of the village.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49There's no option but to tow the dhow into the nearest fishing harbour.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54These old boats, they need wind to sail and they need wind in the right direction.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Livingstone was here. He came across loads of obstacles and hurdles.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03There's never going to be an expedition like this that is going to run like clockwork.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Oh, my God! That's incredible.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Oh, finally! Look - there's land everywhere.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Yes!
0:20:12 > 0:20:16The only way they can complete the journey in time is to leave the dhow and go by road.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20I'm quite glad that we're stopping, to be honest, cos I
0:20:20 > 0:20:23didn't really want to be, I don't really like being seasick.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27I didn't want to give up on the sailing, but obviously it just can't happen.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30So we've got to go with that, but even though I was feeling
0:20:30 > 0:20:33a bit sick on some of the days I would've seen it through.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Seeing the things that we've seen, like the whales
0:20:36 > 0:20:41and stuff like that and being on an Arabian dhow has just been a once in a lifetime opportunity.
0:20:41 > 0:20:47Getting off the boat for the first time in over two days has an unexpected side effect.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Who's feeling wobbly?
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Anyone?- When you stand still.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54You've got land sickness.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I feel really wobbly.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I feel like I'm still moving on water and the sea,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02but I hope I'll get used to it again.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Get my land legs back.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08It feels really good to be back on flat ground.
0:21:08 > 0:21:14The team have a drive of several hours to make it to Pemba
0:21:14 > 0:21:17where Livingstone made landfall and had an extraordinary welcome.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Wherever he went, the local people had never seen anything like it - a man with pale skin
0:21:23 > 0:21:26and strange clothes.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30It was as if an alien had landed from another planet.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35They were also amazed and sometimes scared by the things he carried.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40'When I exhibited my compass they desired me to stop as they were afraid of my wonderful things.'
0:21:45 > 0:21:49The fishing village of Pemba sits at the entrance of a large bay
0:21:49 > 0:21:55and the team have to use dhows again for the short journey across to it.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58The village has changed surprisingly little since Livingstone's time.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03Mambo. Mambo.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06And the young explorers are about to get a very similar welcome.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Oh, my goodness!
0:22:20 > 0:22:23They're probably the first European children who have ever been here.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31I've never had such a welcome. This is absolutely incredible.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34They're just so friendly.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36Oh, wow! It's amazing.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Every single one of them just wants to shake your hand. I love it.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I want to live here forever.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47This is really strange cos it's like we're celebrities, but we don't even know them.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I think it's cos they haven't seen a white person ever.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Oh, it's absolutely incredible. I've never experienced anything like it.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Everyone's just so happy to see you.
0:22:59 > 0:23:05With no TV or computers, the local children show off their skills at more traditional games.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10And the Explorers find it hard to compete.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21With little money, the villagers make toys from anything they can find.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24These hoops come from bits of old plastic barrels.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27See? It's not as easy as it looks.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Every time I do it, it's just a fluke, to be honest.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37But it so fun on, just all the local people loving it.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40I'm going to get all the way round. Twice.
0:23:43 > 0:23:50While modern football started in Britain, it's now found in the most remote parts of the world
0:23:50 > 0:23:54and the African children give the explorers a serious run for their money.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Result - a 5-5 draw.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18In many villages he visited, David Livingstone was treated like a king.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23The locals put on tribal displays in his honour that no white person had ever seen before.
0:24:25 > 0:24:31And 150 years later, the young explorers are also guests of honour at an astonishing show.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43I find it entrancing. It's amazing.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46'I mean I've never seen any kind of dancing like this.'
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It's just incredible. There's not much to describe it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55The traditional entertainment is unique to the local tribe,
0:24:55 > 0:25:00telling stories passed down over hundreds of years.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02'That is amazing.'
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I've never seen anything like it.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17It's just absolutely incredible.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20I'm literally glued to the seat and mouth open the entire time.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26The children are among just a handful of Europeans who have ever seen these performances.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35One of the dancers calls on James to take part.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Just go for it. Just go for it.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42And to the delight of the crowd, he enters into the spirit of things.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46CHEERING
0:25:56 > 0:26:00'It's such a welcome feeling and it's such'
0:26:00 > 0:26:02an amazing electric atmosphere. It's brilliant.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07It's been an unforgettable day, full of fun and laughter,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10but there's also a sadder side to village life,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14as David Livingstone himself quickly discovered.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20As a qualified doctor, Livingstone found many villagers didn't get enough to eat.
0:26:20 > 0:26:26Living in great poverty, they often relied completely on what they could grow,
0:26:26 > 0:26:30if there wasn't enough rain for their crops, they simply went hungry.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34In some places in modern-day Africa, it's a situation that's changed very little.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40As night falls, the Serious Explorers
0:26:40 > 0:26:44enjoy a simple meal prepared by the villagers for their VIP guests.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48The rice is very good, actually, isn't it?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52But they slowly start to realise they're being given very special treatment.
0:26:52 > 0:26:58The local children are kept away and look on in envy at what the British children are eating.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01They even ask the explorers for any leftovers.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06We had our food and they just kept going, "Please give me foodie."
0:27:06 > 0:27:09All these kids were running around begging for food and I just felt
0:27:09 > 0:27:12horrible. I really wanted to give them everything I could.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Like, anything I had.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19After such an amazing day, it's an upsetting reminder
0:27:19 > 0:27:24of how tough life can be for some African children.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29They just look so hungry and it just, it made me think about all them times that I just
0:27:29 > 0:27:34had a chocolate bar for the sake of having a chocolate bar, or said, "Oh, Mum, I don't want to eat that."
0:27:34 > 0:27:38You see all these adverts on telly that are about world hunger,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42but you don't believe it until you really see it and now we've seen it
0:27:42 > 0:27:44in the flesh, it just... It kind of got to me,
0:27:44 > 0:27:46because I've really seen
0:27:46 > 0:27:50how people live now, even at a young age.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58Next time on Serious Explorers - awesome animal encounters.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- That was amazing!- Tensions in the team.- No, you didn't!
0:28:02 > 0:28:04You didn't ask anyone!
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- And keeping crocs out of camp. - Shine your big light in its face and back away slowly.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:11 > 0:28:13E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk