Shubhabrata Dutta
History’s survival competition reality show ‘Alone’ is a true-to-form test of a human’s survival skills, which has led it to become the foremost species on the planet. The show drops its 10 contestants into different spots of a remote and inhospitable location, and they self-document themselves during their survival endeavor. Each contestant has only ten tools they get to choose from a list, and have to build shelters and find food using those. They can give up at any moment, and the one who perseveres and survives the longest wins $500,000. ‘Alone’ is a true test of the ability to adapt to survive, and only those who are physically and mentally very strong can do that, especially since they are all alone. In keeping with the genre, the visuals capture the essence of nature and its unforgiving aspect.
Alone Season 12 Filming Location
Season 12 of ‘Alone’ was filmed entirely in South Africa, specifically in the Great Karoo. Principal photography seemingly took place in October 2024. The desert location is a radical shift from all the previous locations, especially visually, and ups the ante of the show and the stakes of survival. Speaking to History about how the locations are chosen for each new season, supervising producer Jeffrey Rodriguez stated how they “make it a point to build relationships with the local Indigenous communities who let us use their land. We meet with leaders to learn about land usage and jurisdiction, local hunting regulations, and such. They’re generally very welcoming because the production showcases traditional ways of life and skills perpetuated through their cultures.”
Great Karoo, South Africa
Located largely in the province of Western Cape, northeast of Cape Town, the Great Karoo is around 150,000 square miles of stunning yet dangerous semidesert, also known as the “land of thirst.” While the techniques of survival remain pretty much the same, the desert landscape ushers in the requirement of finding drinkable water, something that isn’t there in the other seasons. Fresh water is scarce in such a hot and dry terrain, and this itself adds a whole new layer of fear to the show, i.e., dehydration.
As far as the wildlife is concerned, the Great Karoo boasts a wide range, from rodents, scorpions, toads, lizards, and snakes to larger ones like elephants, lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, and Cape buffalos. While pre-production ensures that the areas the contestants cover are safe, the latter must be aware of their surroundings and put their brains to good use if they face any animal, deciding if they can be hunted for food or left alone. They are informed regarding all these things during their orientation. “We provide an in-depth camera class, explaining how to make good TV, showing examples from movies. We have classes to share site-specific knowledge—what local plants are useable as food or medicine, what animals they can take, what’s off limits,” Rodriguez told History.
The Great Karoo is home to the Samara Karoo Reserve, a go-to spot for people who want to get far away from urban life and spend some time amidst the timelessness of nature. Considered one of the most beautiful places in South Africa, it incorporates different habitats owing to its amalgamation of multiple vegetation biomes, including grasslands, Nama Karoo, savanna, thicket, and forest. The location also has small towns, AKA dorpies, with original settler architecture. Only 45 minutes from the reserve is Graaff-Reinet, one of the country’s oldest towns, rich in history and a must-see for visitors. Other reality shows set in the country include ‘Survivor South Africa,’ ‘Die Brug,’ ‘The Mommy Club: Van die Hoofstad,’ and ‘ The Real Housewives of Durban.’
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