14 January 2026
Will Smith is bravely going where few actors have gone before with the premiere of his new National Geographic original docuseries, “Pole to Pole With Will Smith.” Botswana has emerged as a sanctuary for many celebrities seeking refuge from fame. Among them is Will Smith, who in his seven-part National Geographic docuseries Pole to Pole goes beyond mere escape and explores the breathtaking Kalahari Desert.
Even Hollywood’s biggest names seek refuge from fame in nature’s quiet spaces, and Botswana has become one of the favoured escape destinations.
The seven-part series follows the actor as he makes his way across all seven continents in 100 days, highlighting postcard-worthy destinations, while taking on physical challenges in some of the toughest conditions on earth.
Along the way, Smith will showcase new scientific discoveries and shine a light on marginalised communities around the world. Inspired to “explore life’s big questions,” the show also features interviews with local community leaders, scientists and other explorers.
In his quest to explore life’s biggest questions, Will explores the Kalahari Desert in his upcoming seven-part global expedition docuseries, Pole to Pole, premiering on January 14, 2026 on National Geographic (DStv).
Per a press release, the docuseries “blends cutting-edge science, environmental storytelling, and bold exploration,” as Smith “throws himself into incredible challenges for 100 days,” including “skiing to the South Pole, catching a giant anaconda, milking a venomous tarantula, climbing mountains, and diving under the ice of the North Pole.”
The series follows the actor as he helps to make “world-first scientific discoveries and forges profound human connections — from the Amazon’s Waorani community to the Kalahari’s San people, whose knowledge and resilience offer powerful lessons about our future on the planet.”
Five years in the making, the series follows the Academy Award® winner across all seven continents, in search of what is important while traversing incredible challenges over the course of 100 days. The actor’s expedition lands him deep in the Kalahari Desert for an episode that highlights the rich heritage of Botswana.
The series captures Smith’s time with the San people, one of the oldest hunter-gatherer groups on Earth during his first visit in June, 2023. He joins the community on a traditional hunt in one of the planet’s most inhospitable environments, led by local San bushman guide, Kane Motswana.
While there, Smith explores the ‘enduring success’ of the San, learning lessons about ancestral knowledge and resilience in the face of modern climate challenges. This intimate connection to the landscape of the Okavango and Kalahari offers a profound look at how humanity can thrive in extreme conditions. The actor described places like the Kalahari Desert, located far from the hustle and bustle of modern day living, as a portal to his authentic self.
“No cars, no phones, no sounds, just me,” he said in one of the docuseries’ promotional videos, “it’s like I can be me, somebody who is actually flawed and scared.
The 100 days journey did not only change the way Will sees the planet, but himself too.
“This journey was unlike anything I have ever experienced,” he said, “travelling pole to pole is an exploration not just of the planet’s edges, but of some of the most extraordinary people living there. From the coldest ice to the deepest jungles, the beauty of our world inspired my every step with awe and hope.”
The National Geographic series was first announced back in February of 2022, though it was likely pushed back following the “Oscar slap” a month later. The show marks Smith’s third project with National Geographic, after “Welcome to Earth” and “One Strange Rock.” “Pole to Pole With Will Smith” premieres with back-to-back episodes on Jan. 13 with two new episodes airing each Tuesday evening, and a finale episode on Feb. 3.
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