Unkown Africa – Lesotho

Lesotho – The Secret Valleys of the Kingdom in the Sky

Surrounded by South Africa yet independent and politically sovereign: Eswatini—formerly Swaziland, bordering Mozambique—and Lesotho, an enclave in the heart of South Africa. This ARTE series showcases an unknown Africa never before seen in 'Discovery' formats: two small kingdoms and natural jewels where the Swazi and Basotho people live in a delicate balance with flora and fauna.Eswatini is a country where active nature and wildlife conservation have only recently taken root. Until a few years ago, it was politically almost impossible to visit for a nature documentary. However, an increasing number of private organizations and state aid programs are bringing the region into focus, involving the local Swazi population in these projects. Eswatini boasts unusual biodiversity within a small area: dry Lowveld savannas, lush low mountain ranges, and cloud forests reaching into the highlands. It is home to the 'Big Five,' but especially to rare species that are seldom the focus of African wildlife stories, such as hornbills, kudus, pangolins, and galagos—tiny primates with giant eyes.Lesotho is known as the land of the Drakensberg Mountains. Yet, far from the famous peaks, largely unexplored valleys unfold: humid biotopes, hidden canyons, and fertile riverbeds where Aloe and other medicinal plants play a vital role alongside a fragile wildlife under pressure. Here, the resilience of nature blends with the spirituality and traditions of the Basotho.

This documentary series captures these two countries—which are far greater than their physical size—in poetic imagery. These films are not a 'top-down' look from scientific institutions; instead, they are told through the eyes of the local people. What perspective do they share on these small kingdoms, their biodiversity, and their natural treasures? And how does the new protection of ecosystems align with their spiritual African culture?"

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