NAT GEO WILD EMBARKS ON AN UNPRECEDENTED THREE-MONTH LIVE AFRICAN SAFARI FROM NOV. 2 THROUGH JAN. 31

As Part of Nat Geo WILD's 5th Annual BIG CAT WEEK, Safari Live Brings Viewers to the African Bush in Real Time to Experience the True Callings of the Wild

Safari Live Premieres on Nat Geo WILD Saturday, Nov. 29, at 9 AM ET; Prior to Broadcast Watch Daily Safaris Live Online Every Morning at 9 AM ET and at 10:00 PM ET Beginning Sunday, Nov. 2 via WILDSafariLive.com

(WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oct. 27, 2014) Africa is far and pricey for most to travel to. But that's not stopping Nat Geo WILD from bringing Africa to you. Beginning Saturday, Nov. 29, at 9 a.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD, Safari Live gives viewers a front row seat on daily safari rides as we explore the natural habitat of lions, giraffes, elephants and more. National Geographic Channel will also simulcast the adventure beginning Monday, Dec. 1, at 9 a.m. ET for a week. And for those who can't wait until Nov. 29 to grab their cameras, Safari Live will be available to watch online starting Sunday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET at WILDSafariLive.com

No passport required for this one! As part of BIG CAT WEEK, Nat Geo WILD's week dedicated to big cat programming to help save big cats in the wild, you will witness these majestic animals each morning with two expert guides leading the way. All you need is an appetite for adventure and love for our wildlife friends in the African bush. Safari guides Pieter Pretorius and Hayden Turner take us deep into South Africa's Sabi Sands Park to bring us face to face with Africa's wildlife, including lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalos. A rare opportunity, our cameras are bringing Africa to your fingertips to reveal how these magnificent creatures live.

"Safari Live makes it possible for our viewers to travel to the heart of where Africa's majestic wildlife resides to truly experience animals in their natural world," said Geoff Daniels, EVP and general manager, Nat Geo WILD. "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity most never get to experience, we are bringing a safari live, to your living room, from Africa."

Safari guides Pieter and Hayden will also answer questions from viewers live via Twitter (#safarilive), and email through our website (WILDSafariLive.com), during the safari between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. ET. The guides will also host their first "Campfire Chat" directly after the safari at 12 p.m. ET on Nov. 29, where viewers can ask more in-depth questions about the animals they see. For additional "Campfire Chat" times and dates, please visit WILDSafariLive.com.

"Born and raised in Namibia, I know the heart of the African bush, and it has a pulse like no other," said Pieter. "When you are in the bush, it's you and the animal face to face - in the moment, no boundaries, no limitations, no distractions. Just you and nature. It's a remarkable experience that I love sharing with newcomers."

More than a television event, BIG CAT WEEK is an extension of the Big Cats Initiative, a long-term commitment by the National Geographic Society to stop poaching, save habitat and sound the call that big steps are needed to save big cats around the world. This global initiative actively supports on-the-ground conservation projects and education to help stem and eventually reverse the rapid disappearance of big cat populations. For more information on BIG CAT WEEK, visit natgeowild.com/bigcatweek or follow us on Twitter @NGC_PR. For more information on the Big Cats Initiative and how you can get involved, visit causeanuproar.com.

About Pieter Pretorius

Pieter has been a game drive guide since 1997, when he started working as a guide in Pilanesberg National Park at the exclusive lodge, Tshukudu, focusing on finding Africa's big five. He has guided over 1,500 hours of walking trails and has become involved with various research projects, including the bull elephant and lion introduction into Kruger National Park. He has nearly 20 years of field experience with tracking wildlife in the African bush.

About Hayden Turner

Hayden is a wildlife expert who reports from some of the wildest and most scenic places on earth. He has worked and traveled throughout the world, filming across the African continent and in more than 35 other countries. Hayden is known for his private safaris, exclusive escapes and expeditions throughout Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Hayden's philosophy is that the most effective approach to conservation is through education, technology and inspiring people to care for the planet, coupled with understanding people's different perceptions of wildlife.

Please find the Safari Live full lineup below:

· Nov. 2?Jan 31: Daily live safaris available via WILDSafariLive.com beginning 9 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET.

· Nov. 29: Live safaris premiere at 9 a.m. ET on Nat Geo WILD.

· Dec. 1- 5: Live Safari simulcast available on National Geographic Channel beginning 9 a.m. ET.

Safari Live is produced by WildEarth for Nat Geo WILD. WildEarth executive producer is Graham Wallington. For Nat Geo WILD, executive producer is Susie Ryan; SVP, Programming and Planning is Brad Dancer; Vice President of Scheduling is Dan Salerno; and executive vice president and general manager is Geoff Daniels.

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About Nat Geo WILD

Experience the best, most intimate encounters with wildlife ever seen on television. Backed by its unparalleled reputation for quality and blue-chip programming, Nat Geo WILD is dedicated to providing a unique insight into the natural world, the environment and the amazing creatures that inhabit it. From the most remote environments, to the forbidding depths of our oceans, to the protected parks on our doorsteps, Nat Geo WILD will use spectacular cinematography and compelling storytelling to take viewers on unforgettable journeys into the wild world. Launched in 2006, Nat Geo WILD is part of National Geographic Channels International (NGCI) and is available in more than 90 countries and 100 million homes. Nat Geo WILD HD launched in the U.K. in March 2009, and is also available in Greece, Latin America, Poland, Spain and Russia. Further expansion is expected globally. For more information, please visit www.natgeotv.com.