Stephen Tompkinson is about to set off on a wildly ambitious adventure across Africa. He’s going to travel from Tanzania on the east coast to Namibia on the west coast, using the most scenic possible means of transport – a hot air balloon. On his way he’ll be our eyes and ears as he takes in some of the most astonishing sights in the world.
Stephen’s inspiration for the trip is Jules Verne’s first novel, ‘5 Weeks In A Balloon’ which saw Verne’s hero cross Africa in the 1860s using only a hot air balloon, and describing the then widely unknown wildlife as he went, helping to fuel the Victorian’s love of African adventure.
Now Stephen is planning to pay homage to Verne’s pioneering journey, and set out across Africa’s most awe-inspiring landscape. With the help of the animals and people on the ground, it will be a journey like no other.
Exec producers: Gary Chippington & Paul Sommers
Producer: Rebecca Harris
Director: Francis Hanly
Main talent: Stephen Tompkinson
Transmission channel: ITV
Production date: 01 September 2008
Transmission date: 07 June 2009
Episodes: 3
Episode length: 60
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