Have you always wanted to go on an African Safari, but just couldn't find the money or time?  The 90 minute journey that 3D Safari: Africa takes you on is great alternative and probably the closest thing that you will find to being out in the middle of the African plains admist thousands of animals.

Content Review

Your host, Hunter Ellis, is your guide as you journey on the 3D Safari documentary through Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in Africa.  Scenic Africa provides a wonderful backdrop for the multitude of African animals in their natural habitat.  Some of the animals you will see include warthogs, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, elephants, rhinos, lions, water buffalo, hyenas, vultures, crocodiles, birds, monkeys, and hippos.

The cameramen do a magnificent job capturing the animals in action.  In particular, a subplot involves a cheetah mother with her 6 cubs, teaching them to hunt and eat.  One cub wanders off and gets lost, and anticipation mounts as to whether or not the mother will find the cub before a predator does. 

Although there is a lot of footage of animals hunting their prey, there are no scenes of actual killing.  It seems as if the kill was purposefully edited out to make it more friendly to small children.  Even the shots of the animals eating their prey usually only shows a portion of the dead animal. So, if you are looking for gore, you will have to look elsewhere.

Another interesting scene occurs when our host visits the native African Masi Tribe.  He partakes in their traditions of dancing, singing and even participates in the highest Masi ritual - the drinking of the blood of a cow.

My only complaint was related to the long runtime.  The show was 2 hours in length (including commercials) which normally would be fine.  There certainly was enough material to fill this length, however, much of the material wasn't all that captivating.  More storylines are needed to keep up the interest.  Pictures of the animals alone only holds your interest for so long and I found myself wanting to fast forward through certain parts.

Use and Quality of 3D

As mentioned above, the African landscape provides a wonderful backdrop for 3D imagery. Pictures of animals off in the distance, behind trees, in the water, or simply on the plains all showed beatifully in 3D.  The numerous action shots were well done.

The quality of the 3D shots is phenomenal - some of the best quality 3D that I have seen to date.  I saw no ghosting with all footage crystal clear.  There is no 2D footage, so every image pops.

The Bottom Line

If you love animals and are fanatical about 3D, then you will love watching 3D Safari.    Although a bit long, the 3D footage of the animals in their natural habitat is just phenomenal to watch. This show can be certainly be added to your list of what to watch when you're introducing people to 3D TV for the first time.

Read More In: TV Shows