Gordon Buchanan, the intrepid wildlife presenter, is known for his close encounters with majestic and sometimes ferocious creatures. But his latest venture, My Epic Camel Adventure, trades lions and tigers for something a little more… humped. This time, Buchanan saddles up with a pair of camels for a trek across Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.
Forget romanticized notions of serene desert landscapes. Buchanan’s journey, starting in western Mongolia, traverses scorching sand dunes, seemingly endless rocky plains, and the perilous Bumbat Mountains. His only companions? Two camels he affectionately dubs Squeaks and Chewy (a liberty, he notes, as nomadic tradition eschews such naming).
Buchanan’s task goes beyond simply riding these “odd-looking creatures.” He aims to gain their trust and respect, which are essential for both the journey’s success and, more importantly, his survival. Along the way, he hopes to learn about the camels’ remarkable adaptations to this harsh environment.
The Gobi isn’t entirely desolate. Buchanan encounters other inhabitants, including wolves, saiga antelopes, and yaks. He even holds out hope of spotting the elusive Gobi bear, one of the world’s most endangered bears. His interactions with local nomads provide a window into their traditional lifestyle, offering a counterpoint to Buchanan’s own modern existence.
My Epic Camel Adventure isn’t just a travelogue. It’s a study in adaptation, resilience, and the unique bond between humans and animals, even those of the two-humped variety.
My Epic Camel Adventure airs Sunday, 22 December, 2024 at 7:30pm on BBC Two.
