Mission Africa

Nick's Mission Africa programme aired from January to March 2007. It was an amazing project and he is now dedicated to raising funds for Lewa.

The production team and 15 skilled building trade apprentices arrived in Africa in August 2006 to film a unique series following the construction of an eco lodge and game reserve in Northern Africa.

The fifteen half hour shows, to be shown on BBC1 in January 2007, also highlight attempts to encourage wildlife back to an area previously devastated by drought, tribal wars and poaching.

Nick Knowles and former special forces man Ken Hames are in charge of turning the apprentices into a united workforce. Ken, an old Africa hand, is also training the team as wildlife rangers.

The ranger trainees have been doing a fabulous job, they've captured six giraffe to relocate to the new reserve, tracked rhino and tagged elephant. Their training takes place at Lewa, a conservancy further south and the template for the experiment at Sera, a new community conservation area in the far north of Kenya towards the Ethiopian and Somali borders.

Nick, Ken, and the apprentices lived in tents in the bush alongside the African team mates who are working with them on the site.

Armed rangers protected the camp which has been visited at night by elephants and lions.

At the build site the team constructed a dining room, kitchen and store room along with two separate lodge bedrooms - one of which is to be known as The Mission Africa Suite.

They were also involved in building a water hole for the wild animals and new water supplies for the local Samburu people.

The aim of the project is to encourage wildlife back to Sera and give visitors a chance to stay at the new lodge and view the wildlife close up. It will also provide better access to water for the local community as well as work and income.

Nick, Ken and the team hope viewers will take a long term interest in the progress of the Sera and Lewa Conservancies and the animals and endangered species they are trying to protect.

"Thank you so much for all the messages of support from those of you who watched the show. I know it was bounced around the schedules so was difficult to find at times and the series became extended due to interruptions from football etc. but about three and a half million of you watched each time so thank you from us all for your support. Many of you asked if we would make another and if you could be considered for the next one. At this time the BBC have no plans to make a second show although it would be nice to follow up the first. I can tell you however that the reserve is functioning well, many types of animal are being seen in the area, The Samburu are enjoying the positive effects of the water supply and all in all it continues to be a success long after we left. My friend Will Travers of Born Free stayed there recently and came back with glowing reports.

If you liked the series you should write to the BBC and say so - sometimes it's only the people with something to complain about who bother. I have to say finally that I am very proud of my association with the project, with Major Ken Hames who has become a close and trusted friend and most of the production crew Sam, Rob, Sam, Kirsty, The Austrians, Wolfie, and the rest. You did a fine thing and I will never forget watching 'The Princess Bride' in the middle of the bush or how you all cared for me after my accident."