I expected a documentary about California’s Paradise wildfire. Instead, I got one of the most brutal survival stories in nature—set in Botswana’s stunning Okavango Delta.
Trailer for “Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas, yet its water never reaches the ocean. The water spreads over the Kalahari Desert. It slowly evaporates and seeps into the ground.
- The flood arrives during Botswana’s dry season. Rain that fell in Angola months ago travels hundreds of miles. It reaches the delta and turns the dusty landscape green.
- Animal families that almost perish in drought then face a massive flood. This flood alters their hunting grounds, nesting areas, and escape routes.
Watch “Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale”
You can watch “Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale” on Netflix.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 90/100
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Audience Rating: 83/100
Director’s Note: Renée Godfrey and Matt Meech directed this feature-length nature documentary. Instead of following only one animal, they connect several families living in the same ecosystem. The film is narrated by Regé-Jean Page.
Release Date: March 3, 2022 (Netflix)
Other Unique Stuff
- The Okavango Delta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest remaining wetland wilderness areas.
- The doc’s title is a warning. The delta may look like paradise, but every family living there faces hunger, injury, predators, and sudden changes in water levels.
Wrap Up:
If you enjoy nature documentaries, “Surviving Paradise: A Family Tale” is an easy recommendation. The wildlife footage is stunning, but what kept me watching was seeing how every animal family faces impossible odds in one of Africa’s most beautiful—and unforgiving—places.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc