Will Smith Spotlights Botswana in National Geographic’s Global Exploration Series

Will Smith Spotlights Botswana in National Geographic’s Global Exploration Series. National Geographic has announced that actor and producer Will Smith will feature Botswana in its upcoming docuseries Pole to Pole, a seven-part production that follows a 100-day journey across some of the world’s most extreme and iconic environments.

In the Botswana segment, Smith travels through the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta, two landscapes known for their stark contrasts. The series documents his time exploring arid desert terrain as well as the Delta’s extensive waterways, which support diverse ecosystems and communities.

During his journey in Botswana, Smith is guided by San bushman Kane Motswana. The episode captures interactions with members of the San community, focusing on traditional practices and the ways ancestral knowledge has been passed down over generations. Viewers are shown elements of daily life, including traditional hunting methods and survival skills that reflect the San people’s long-standing relationship with their environment.

Pole to Pole traces Smith’s travels from the southernmost to the northernmost regions of the planet. Beyond Botswana, the series includes locations such as Antarctica and the Amazon, offering a wide-ranging look at natural landscapes shaped by extreme climates. Each episode highlights exploration, endurance, and cultural encounters within these environments.

According to National Geographic, the docuseries combines travel, storytelling, and environmental observation, presenting a global perspective on how people and nature coexist in some of the planet’s most challenging settings.

The Botswana feature places the country’s wilderness and indigenous heritage on an international platform, reaching audiences through National Geographic’s global network. The series also adds to growing international media attention on Botswana’s natural landscapes and cultural history.

Pole to Pole is scheduled to premiere on National Geographic (DStv channel 181) on 14 January 2026.