0:00:02 > 0:00:05Seven young explorers have taken on the biggest challenge of their lives.
0:00:05 > 0:00:11An epic adventure in the heart of Africa. It'll take them far from civilisation,
0:00:11 > 0:00:14encountering endangered wildlife.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Such an adrenalin rush.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Witnessing unique tribal ceremony
0:00:18 > 0:00:21and trekking where none have been before.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22It's so amazing.
0:00:22 > 0:00:28They are following in the legendary footsteps of the great Scottish explorer, Dr David Livingstone,
0:00:28 > 0:00:32and the demanding expedition will push them to the very limit.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34It is a wake-up call.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36- It's horrible.- I hate it.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40Have they got what it takes to be Serious Explorers?
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Coming up.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Under pressure as the going gets tough.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I just don't think I can do this.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51A luxury treat for two.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54It has a flushing toilet!
0:00:54 > 0:00:56And first contact with home.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58This is so exciting!
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Previously on Serious Explorers...
0:01:01 > 0:01:06A stomach-churning sail down the African coast laid everyone low, except Matt.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10I just want everyone else to get better as quick as they can.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15The explorers had some awesome first animal encounters.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18That was amazing.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23But learning to live rough led to tension between Ashleigh and James.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25No, you didn't ask anyone!
0:01:25 > 0:01:27Go and do it yourself, then.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31The team were shocked to find crocs close to camp.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- There's a crocodile there. - It's massive!
0:01:34 > 0:01:38And had a long scary night, making sure they kept away.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40Shine a light in its face and back away.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44By morning the explorers were shattered.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47I'm really tired. I did not sleep enough.
0:01:47 > 0:01:53Unfortunately, for the exhausted team, the day ahead is going to be even tougher.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59Expedition leader, Ben, has a challenging training trek in store.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- We are here, and we're aiming to come across to here.- Oh, great.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Then we're going up and down until we get to the far side.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11- This will take hours. - It will be seven or eight miles.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16It is their longest trek so far and they have to carry heavy rucksacks.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21I think today's going to be really tough. We've had no sleep,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25and we've got to carry about 10-12kg backpacks in this heat.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29What the explorers don't know is that the leaders
0:02:29 > 0:02:32are secretly preparing them for an immense challenge.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36In just two days' time, they'll attempt a world first,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39an epic trek of more than 100 miles in remote mountains.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Heading into uncharted territory, it'll be like going back
0:02:47 > 0:02:50to Victorian times, when the great explorer
0:02:50 > 0:02:54David Livingstone trekked into unknown parts of Africa.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Livingstone's final expedition took him across Tanzania,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02and the young explorers are training in the Selous Game Reserve,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05partway along his route.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09As they prepare for today's seven-mile exercise,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12it's proving too much for Sharon,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16who's homesick and lacks confidence in her fitness.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Assistant leader, Polly, reassures her.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23We are all in it together, that's the thing, yeah?
0:03:23 > 0:03:27It's just, with being so tired, and the bags, it makes it harder.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30I think everybody is quite worried.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35The team set off at 8am to avoid the heat of the day.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41From now on, they will be carrying all their belongings with them.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45It is so heavy! Really hard to walk with it.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49After today, my shoulders should be more used to it,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51and it will be a lot easier, I hope.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56But it's already over 30 degrees, the terrain's getting steeper.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01Less than an hour in, they're all feeling the strain.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05I'm hot. That was hard!
0:04:05 > 0:04:10It's a strain on the shoulders and knees. You've got to get used to it.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15Carrying the heavy rucksack has left Ashleigh with aching knees.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19I'm in so much pain at the moment. It really hurts.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21It is a wake-up call, definitely.
0:04:22 > 0:04:28Ashleigh plays lots of sport and the hike is aggravating a knee problem.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30I want to enjoy it, which I am,
0:04:30 > 0:04:34but it's just hard when you've got sore knees.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36It is a worrying development.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40Ever since boot camp, she's been earmarked by leader, Ben,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42as one of the fittest of the team.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44I see Ashleigh to be a solid, strong girl
0:04:44 > 0:04:47that's going to keep it together, I hope.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I am worried now, anyway.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54I feel like I'm slowing the group, I hope they get better.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Fortunately, the next part is downhill.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Heading into a valley, teeming with animals.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07Make sure everyone's aware of that. Going into the trees. Zebra!
0:05:10 > 0:05:14I saw a zebra! It is so good to see them in their natural environment,
0:05:14 > 0:05:15they're adorable!
0:05:17 > 0:05:21But others are keen on the animals for different reasons...
0:05:21 > 0:05:25- I really want some meat! - I could do with a leg of lamb.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- Hopefully it'll be on the menu. - We're fantasising about meat.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32You're not allowed to kill it!
0:05:34 > 0:05:38On the valley floor, they spot the huge skull of an animal
0:05:38 > 0:05:40they are all keen to see close up.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Guaranteed, that's an elephant.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Those holes, it is like a honeycomb,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49it provides great strength, but it's also very light.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Three hours in, there's bad news for Ashleigh,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56her knees are a problem and she's struggling to keep up.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58That's about as far as I can go. Ow!
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I want to get on to camp as soon as possible
0:06:01 > 0:06:04so we can to start building camp.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I don't want to slow him down or the rest of the group down.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Originally, she was my sure-fire bet to be the strongest girl.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16And now, I'm concerned about her being able to cope
0:06:16 > 0:06:19with the physicality of the journey ahead.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Remote Africa is a very tough environment.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29David Livingstone often struggled with ill health,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31suffering diseases like malaria,
0:06:31 > 0:06:35but he showed amazing willpower to continue his expeditions.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Ashleigh is also determined
0:06:37 > 0:06:40not to let the injury get the better of her.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44The doctors come up with a makeshift treatment to help her.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- How does that feel? - It feels all right.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52With far tougher days to come, it casts a shadow over her expedition.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55But today, the brace does the trick.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59After an exhausting five hours, they arrive at their campsite.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03In the last half an hour, I've really started to dislike it.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08Now I'm worried about what's to come throughout the next couple of days.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14With the explorers feeling drained, the leaders have surprise news.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16We've got a very nice treat,
0:07:16 > 0:07:22to spend the night in a luxury lodge, not far from here.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27The safari camp is a world apart from life on expedition
0:07:27 > 0:07:33with crisp white sheets, hot showers and even flushing toilets.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36But, we're not going to decide who's going to go,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39cos we're going to let you decide.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42The Serious Explorers have to vote in turn
0:07:42 > 0:07:45for the person they think deserves the treat most.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I'm nominating Matt.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51When we were ill, he did everything for us.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56Sian, because she is very tired a lot, she likes to lie down.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58I'm going to say James,
0:07:58 > 0:08:04because we had a bit of a rough patch last night.
0:08:04 > 0:08:09You didn't give us a chance, you just take on the role without asking!
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- It's just my way of saying sorry. - Aww!
0:08:13 > 0:08:17I'm going with Sian, cos she's been feeling homesick.
0:08:17 > 0:08:22I'm going to say Cassie because she's been feeling down today.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27I'm going to pick Matt, on the boat he helped everybody out.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32Matt and Sian are now tied at two votes each.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36With just one vote left, it's down to Cassie to decide.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41Um, I want to say Sian as she's been feeling really homesick.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Just when it looks like she's picked a girl,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47she has a last second change of heart.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49I'm going to go with Matt.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Matt helped everyone on the boat and he most deserves it.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59But, there is a little twist...
0:08:59 > 0:09:04We would like Matt to be accompanied by another boy.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- That's not fair!- Another boy.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Matt's left with an almost impossible decision.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16I'll go with David, I don't even know why.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24David's really chuffed.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27I can't wait, it's going to be amazing.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29I'm bouncing around!
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- That is really comfy. - Shall we sleep here?
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Almost immediately, the boys come across the animal
0:09:42 > 0:09:46they had been eager to see more of.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51But even elephants can't compare to an ice-cold fizzy drink.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- Chin-chin.- Cheers, guys, let's enjoy.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58That is so good!
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Things couldn't be more different for the others.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06They're setting up camp and the long day is taking its toll.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I'm just really tired.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14I'm just emotional cos I'm tired and I keep thinking about home.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16I'll be OK.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Matt and David's drive is getting better and better.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Their guide has spotted two lions.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Right there, right there!
0:10:27 > 0:10:30This is weird!
0:10:30 > 0:10:36It's kind of scary because they're so amazingly big and close.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Wow.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Who's giving me the guided tour? - I will!
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- This is our sleeping area. - The sleeping quarters.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46We put these up like this.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48That's looking good, team.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56At their luxury camp, the boys are welcomed with ice-cold towels.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58It's so cold!
0:11:00 > 0:11:02That is legendary!
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Wake us up in the morning!
0:11:10 > 0:11:13This is our toilet, close your nose and your eyes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- How are you meant to use that? - It's so hard.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Can you give me a demo?
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- I used it the other way.- Yeah, same.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- I can't.- You did it the wrong way. - You catch my drift?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Dude, it has a flushing toilet!
0:11:29 > 0:11:32That is a nice toilet!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35I haven't used a flushing toilet since we left home.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44- I don't want to know how you poo. - I would go like that.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49Right, OK, Ashleigh's going to get a fine view of my bottom.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Are you nervous of using that? - Anyway, moving on.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- To us!- How lucky are we?
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- That's our fresh drinking water? - Yep, it doesn't taste that bad.
0:11:59 > 0:12:05Under armed guard, the boys get the chance to enjoy a Victorian bath,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09that Livingstone himself could only have dreamt of.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15It is so nice.
0:12:15 > 0:12:16It's so nice!
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Matt, thank you for choosing me.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30On tonight's camp menu is maize, peas, and leftover beans.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35The food's delicious. It's one of the best meals we've had.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Which is unusual cos maize tastes rubbish.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43David and Matt are enjoying their first meat in ten days.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49You have roast leg of lamb and chips and the tomato sauce is on the way.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52Oh, my God!
0:12:52 > 0:12:57I'm going to eat it as slowly as possible. Savour every bite.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01I've never enjoyed a meal this much before in my life.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04You guys look so cosy.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10- Night, boys, sleep well. - Night-night.- Sweet dreams.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17For the rest of the team, it's a short night on the hard ground.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21Well before dawn, they're woken for another day's training exercise.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Wakey, wakey.
0:13:23 > 0:13:29I feel like I've been whacked around the head with a baseball bat.
0:13:29 > 0:13:34It's just after five, breakfast in 20 minutes, 20 minutes to pack up.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41After a long lie-in, the treat continues for David and Matt.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Thank you.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47They'll only re-join the team after another morning of luxury.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I don't want to think about going back.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I'm trying to enjoy every minute.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56The other five are already well into the day's trek.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00They still haven't seen elephants close up.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05So the local Mnyati guards have been tracking down a herd.
0:14:05 > 0:14:11They've found a group of elephants in the fever trees. About 200m away.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- They are big animals and there's lots of cover.- How many?
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- We don't know, at least two. - Who spots these things?!
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Dr Livingstone would get close to animals to draw them
0:14:25 > 0:14:27and record their behaviour.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30He lived a few decades too soon for portable cameras,
0:14:30 > 0:14:35but even today, it's rare to observe wildlife at its most natural.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44For safety, the guides want just a few of the team to go forward first.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I think we'll take two.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53Elephants have exceptional hearing and sense of smell.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56So the explorers have to stay quiet.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13The guides keep checking the direction of the wind
0:15:13 > 0:15:16so the creatures don't pick up their scent.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22Suddenly, they get a glimpse of the magnificent animals.
0:15:26 > 0:15:32The elephants seem relaxed, so two more adventurers are allowed closer.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44It's a magical moment. The group get a unique ring-side view
0:15:44 > 0:15:46of elephants in their own territory.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56(There are mothers and children. It's really exciting.)
0:15:56 > 0:15:59(Try not to make too much noise.)
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Eventually, the elephants start to move away.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09The wind's been swirling.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12It has taken our scent to them, so they know we're here.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16We're not going to push any further, OK?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20That was like one of the best experiences of my life.
0:16:20 > 0:16:26You never imagine when you see the wildlife, it will be this close.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28It was incredible to see them like that.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Since we've been here,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34all we've been saying is we want to see elephants.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Being so close was really cool, it really was.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45It's hard nowadays to imagine what it must have been like
0:16:45 > 0:16:48for Livingstone to trek into the unknown.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51Exploring areas that no European had ever visited.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54With no maps and basic instruments to work out where he was,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57he often had no idea what lay ahead.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02And the Serious Explorers are about to head
0:17:02 > 0:17:05into unexplored territory to relive the legend.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09Over the next 11 days, they'll attempt a world first.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Crossing one of the last great wilderness areas of Tanzania.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17The 100-mile trek over the Mbarika Mountains has never been taken on
0:17:17 > 0:17:21by any expedition, until now.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23As David and Matt rejoin the team,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25leader Ben reveals the scale of the challenge.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30I'm asking you to go from here, all the way across here,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34all the way across here, all the way across here
0:17:34 > 0:17:37to the end-point here. A place called the Matissa Camp.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40Are you sure it's 11 days not 11 years?
0:17:40 > 0:17:4411 days. There's only one word for it, that's epic.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Yeah? It really is epic.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50When you look at the one map and you think, wow, we travelled far today,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54then you put 10 of them together and you have to get to the end,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56aw, it's nerve-wracking.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59But not everyone will go the full distance.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02After two days trekking, the leaders will pick
0:18:02 > 0:18:06only the most serious explorers to complete the journey.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09We're taking three people forward, only three.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13That is due to the nature of the journey.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16We're talking severe, severe terrain.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20We are exploring, just like David Livingstone did.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22I would like to be one of the three people.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26But it's scary to think we'll be doing a big distance
0:18:26 > 0:18:28in such a short amount of time.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Among those who will look after the team on the trek
0:18:32 > 0:18:35are their four Mnyati guards.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39An epic journey like this is not something that they take lightly.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It must be blessed in their traditional way.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44They start by sacrificing four sheep
0:18:44 > 0:18:47to be eaten later at a special feast.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51All of the young explorers decide to stay and witness the slaughter.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Coming to Tanzania, it's all about the locals' beliefs,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57to get the real experience, you have to see that.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It is not like we're doing it for a bad reason.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03They're doing it to bless us on our journey.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05THEY CHANT
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Next, the Mnyati make an offering to their God, Asetta,
0:19:08 > 0:19:10to ask for protection.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13They place fresh grass in a vine-covered tree,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16which they see as a stairway to the heavens.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18I ask for safe passage,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23and to protect my family at home, while I'm away. Thank you.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Few have witnessed the ceremony, and it's a great honour
0:19:26 > 0:19:28for the young explorers to be asked to take part.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33THEY CHANT
0:19:34 > 0:19:36The ceremony was amazing.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40I mean, just the singing that they did, it was just incredible.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45THEY SING AND CHANT
0:19:45 > 0:19:49It was the kind of music that gets to you, it really soothes your soul.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55The team feast on the first meat
0:19:55 > 0:19:58some of them have had in over a week.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03The lamb is beautiful. The best meal we've had so far.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Gorgeous! I've really been craving meat for the past week.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09With tomorrow's huge challenge looming,
0:20:09 > 0:20:13two of the girls are worried.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17This walk is up and down and up and down in thick forest, and stuff.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22So, I don't know if I'm going to be able to do it.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I don't know if I have the abilities or the strength
0:20:26 > 0:20:28or the emotional strength to do it.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34But 150 years ago,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37as Dr Livingstone organised lots of porters
0:20:37 > 0:20:38for his last great expedition,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42he showed little sign of being fazed by what lay ahead.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Writing in his diary - "Brisk exercise makes the mind work well
0:20:46 > 0:20:50"and the eye clear, and a day's hard work,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53"makes the evening's rest thoroughly enjoyable."
0:20:56 > 0:20:58As departure day dawns,
0:20:58 > 0:21:02the Serious Expedition is also joined by a huge team of porters.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05The explorers know they have just two days
0:21:05 > 0:21:08till the big decision as to who continues the epic trek.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12This is modern day Livingstone setting off into the bush.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15This is the big one. We want to see maximum effort
0:21:15 > 0:21:18over the next 48 hours, before that decision point.
0:21:18 > 0:21:19It's going to hurt,
0:21:19 > 0:21:23but it'll be an experience you treasure for the rest of your lives.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Right. Let's do it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Let's go. Cool.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40With armed guides, trackers and porters,
0:21:40 > 0:21:43the expedition is more than 70 people strong.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57As the temperature approaches 40 degrees,
0:21:57 > 0:21:59they head towards the mountains.
0:21:59 > 0:22:06The speed is fine. I'm just... I'm just worried about the heat.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11- Horrible, I hate it. - Slowly but steadily, yeah?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16My knees are hurting. I've not even been going that long.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Every hour, the expedition will take a ten-minute break.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29At the first stop, they're already feeling the effects.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I'm absolutely sweating. A lot of sweat rash.
0:22:32 > 0:22:38As feared, Ashleigh's knees have taken a turn for the worse.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- SOBBING:- When we started getting steeper, it got really sore.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45A part of me wants to give up,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47but I know if I do, I will regret it,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49so, I'm just carrying on.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54But Sian seems close to throwing in the towel.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57So leader, Polly, steps in to give her a pep-talk.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00You are strong, physical, and capable of doing it.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03But we need to sort your mental state out.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Focus on the end point, Sian. Then you'll be fine.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- Look ahead of you. - Look how far you've come.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Let's go.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17It is so hard getting these on!
0:23:18 > 0:23:22The explorers have until the end of tomorrow to impress the leaders
0:23:22 > 0:23:25and to be one of the three to continue the record-breaking trek.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29I know it will be a challenge to do it for 11 days.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32But I really want to do it, because I want to test myself.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35With a big question mark over Sian,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38she urgently needs to prove that she can cope.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42But as the trek gets tough, heading uphill into the mountains,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44she suffers a major setback.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49She's feeling dizzy and sick from not drinking enough.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52The medics give her a special drink to re-hydrate her.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54How does that feel? How does it taste?
0:23:54 > 0:23:56- Disgusting.- OK.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01Her rucksack is taken off her, so she can safely carry on.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09After six hours, the explorers finally complete a gruelling
0:24:09 > 0:24:13seven-mile climb to reach their campsite.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Well, done, everyone. It wasn't easy.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20- A good effort.- There is no other word, brilliant.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Absolutely brilliant. Really impressed.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Tomorrow's decision on who continues the trek, will not be easy.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30We have one more day before we decide.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Looking across there now, I'm not any the wiser.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- We have to take advice from the medics as regards Ashleigh.- Yep.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I'd hate her to hurt her knees.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44Staying on the girls, what do you think about Sian?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Sian is a funny one. It's all in her mind.
0:24:47 > 0:24:54I feel like taking her forward, to prove to her that she can do it.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Sian's mood has not been helped by constant homesickness.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00The explorers have had no contact with their families
0:25:00 > 0:25:03since leaving Britain almost two weeks ago.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Like many explorers, Livingstone was almost completely cut off
0:25:09 > 0:25:12from civilisation. He occasionally tried to send letters home,
0:25:12 > 0:25:17but knew it could be months, if not years, before he got a reply.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Despite being miles from anywhere,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26the leaders have managed to arrange a very special delivery.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Go for it!
0:25:28 > 0:25:32The explorers have each got a package from home.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I'm so excited!
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Matt, that's for you...
0:25:38 > 0:25:39Alistair...
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Deodorant!
0:25:44 > 0:25:45Mum's magic!
0:25:45 > 0:25:49She must know I've lost my lip salve today! She sent me two!
0:25:49 > 0:25:52THEY LAUGH AND SHOUT
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Hot chocolate! Oh!
0:25:58 > 0:26:01While the boys can't contain their excitement...
0:26:01 > 0:26:06- Mum, I love you.- ..the girls find it hard to hold back the tears!
0:26:08 > 0:26:10SHE SOBS
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I'm really happy because I got a letter from my sister.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17It's really nice. Really cool.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I really like it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26She's put loads of pictures of us together!
0:26:26 > 0:26:31It's great to see everybody, there is too much stuff for me to handle.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39I have a really nice one from my friend Christina.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42"You're an idol for everyone out there, especially me.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44"You have everyone behind you.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47"I'm the one sitting on your shoulder, whispering in your ear,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50"you can do it, I believe in you".
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Even stuff like that,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56it makes you feel like you actually mean something to them.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05Tomorrow sees another huge day for the explorers.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Their last chance to book one of the three places
0:27:08 > 0:27:11on the rest of the epic Livingstone trek.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13The emotional contact with home has given them
0:27:13 > 0:27:16a real boost at a vital moment.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19It really reminded you of home.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21Thinking that they're all rooting for you.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24So, I'm really hoping to get into the last three.
0:27:24 > 0:27:29It has definitely given me a lot of encouragement and motivation.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34I just hope that I can carry on. I hope that I can do the walk.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39I want to make everybody proud. Make them so proud of me.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43But I just don't know if I can do it.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Next time on Serious Explorers, battling the blisters.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54It is ridiculous! I'll give you that!
0:27:54 > 0:27:56A rare day of pampering...
0:27:56 > 0:27:58I can't get it off!
0:27:58 > 0:28:01..and who's made it on to the Livingstone trek?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Any single one of you could have gone forward...
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk