Wild Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is raw and untamed. The savannas pulse with wildlife, while Victoria Falls crashes with awe-inspiring power. Ancient ruins tell stories of lost civilizations, and local cultures are as vibrant as the landscapes. Zimbabwe is where adventure and nature collide.

iFit commissioned us to create a documentary series in Zimbabwe during the height of the pandemic. Challenges came with the territory. Cancelled flights turned travel into chaos. Every layover brought another PCR test. Heavy rains flooded airstrips, and thick foliage made tracking wildlife nearly impossible.

The mission? Produce six half-hour walking experiences for iFit users. Tight deadlines, flooded locations, and a ticking clock. We landed in Harare ready to go.

Victoria Falls

First stop: Victoria Falls. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve been—Victoria Falls always hits with the same awe. The roar of 600 million gallons of water thundering over the edge every minute is overwhelming. The rainy season only amplified the spectacle. Timing our shots between the mist and finding the perfect angles was key. This place demands respect. Its power and scale make everything else feel small.

After we experienced the sheer grandeur of the falls we hiked down into the gorge. Above us, bungee jumpers leapt off the metal bridge toward the raging Zambezi. Built in Britain in 1905, this ornate steel railway bridge is an engineering marvel. This bridge was part of Cecil Rhodes' grand vision for a railway line stretching from Cape Town to Cairo.

Malilangwe Reserve

Next, we headed to Malilangwe Reserve, home to one of the highest rhino populations in Africa. The Malilangwe Scouts, an elite anti-poaching unit, are the backbone of the reserve’s security. Over the years, their swift action has intercepted countless poaching attempts, protecting these endangered rhinos and other key species. These scouts are more than just protectors—they're experts, working hand-in-hand with wildlife departments to monitor the reserve’s ecosystem.

We spent time with the scouts, filming their day-to-day patrols. Their focus and discipline showed why Malilangwe remains a stronghold amidst the poaching crisis. Seeing them at work makes you understand just how critical this team is for the survival of rhinos in Southern Africa.

Wilderness Survival Episode

While at Malilangwe, we also filmed a wilderness survival episode. The rainy season made the animals tough to track, but patience is part of the game. We spent the day chasing leads on sightings, only to arrive too late each time. Finally, as we were wrapping up a scene, we took one last look at the river—and there they were. A herd of elephants, bathing in the water. Pure gold. These moments are pure euphoria and make all of the hard work worth it.

Here is our trailer for the Zimbabwe Walking Series on iFit: